The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

When I purchased this vv 8-12 two days ago, it looked terrible. Unwashed and unloved the owner bought it at a yard sale. I spent an entire morning removing dirt with GOJO had cleaner and lots of paper towels. Next I went at it with liquid gold and then I used Howard's Feed and Wax. Today I gave it a second coat of Howard's and here are the results. All and all the mahogany finish is pretty good. The four spring motor works great with no thumps. The winding ratchet catch his given me some trouble, but I'm hopeful cleaning and fresh oil will solve the problem. The tone arm support bracket was a disaster, but I obtained a replacement from Roger Merenkov. The needle set screw was broken off inside the reproducer, but miraculously Roger extracted it and had a replacement. I'm missing the four hold down screws for the tone arm bracket. The ones in the photos are from my vv IX. The reproducer works, but not very well. I ordered ball bearings and washers and a rubber flange from ebay. I would like to disassemble it, but I'm afraid of shattering the pot metal. I'm delighted to finally own an orthophonic Victrola. I paid less than the value of the motor alone so I'm quite happy with it as it is. Click on the proof sheet to enlarge.

Congratulations! I think the 8-12 is probably the best-looking Orthophonic, and I still wish I had the room to keep the one I had (along with an 8-35 I sold). Three Orthos is probably overkill in my particular collection, but I liked the two I let go. Especially the look of the 8-12 (and the sound was great too!).

If your sound box doesn't please you after your overhaul, I can recommend Wyatt Marcus for a rebuild.

Again, congratulations - -

George P.

Congrats on the 8-12. That was the first phonograph I bought back in 1981. I sold it years ago. I did find another one a year ago. They are a great sounding machine. You did a great job cleaning it up. I would also recommend Wyatt for the reproducer rebuild. He does a great job.
Ken Brekke

Very nice machine! That one looks nice already. She's a keeper for sure.

I sent you a PM about some spare parts for your 8-12, if you need a new reproducer. I have a 1930 pot-metal one that is the very stable, solid type, already overhauled by Wyatt Markus, with the original filter felt on it. It's a portable soundbox so there was no way to "Close Lid While Playing." Therefore, a nice fuzzy felt was required on the front. It sounds great...but no one wants the Victrola and I'm moving & can't keep it so if you want the reproducer & other parts, let me know.

One day I'd love to have room for the big floor models like these...they're amazing pieces of cabinetry.

Charles F

Congratulations on your acquisition. My first folded horn Orthophonic was an 8-12 and I loved it both for looks and performance. I now have an 8-30 which is an even better performer but I miss the style of the 8-12. I would buy another if I only had the space for it. I am sure yours will give you many hours of listening pleasure.

Jim

As described in my initial post, my orthophonic reproducer sounds horrible. I received the ball bearing and washers in the mail yesterday. I tried to follow the instructions found here. http://www.lagparty.org/~wyatt/rebuild-orthophonic.html
I successfully pried out the rubber damper and the ball bearings fell out. I tried to stabilize the needle bar with a tooth pick and that's when I ran into trouble. I broke the solder between the needle bar and the diaphragm. I stopped work and assailed myself with recrimination and castigation. Then I went back to Wyatt's instructions and applied oil over night to the outer ring. I tried moving it this morning, but it may never come apart without damaging it. I will continue to apply oil to the outer ring and see if I can get it to move. It's really smart to send it out to a professional, but I have always tried to learn how to make my own repairs in order to obtain new skills and have a sense of accomplishment. I will be shopping for a brass reproducer in any event. I'm beginning to abhor pot metal.
I can hardly wait to hear my 8-12 playing a VE recording.

Try mixing some automatic transmission fluid and acetone at a 50/50 ratio and see if that will loosen that ring. It works better than the patented formulas for that sort of thing. Unfortunately, that ring is pot metal and it is a real problem. Good luck with your restoration now, Earl.

Given the wide gap in the broken pot metal ring, I would not expect it come apart easily... or at all. The gap suggests heavy distortion and a lot of pressure that will tend to rpevent any movement or disassembly. However it comes apart, do all that you can to protect the diaphragm if it looks like it's in good shape yet.

I was looking at my brass Reproducer and there doesn’t seem to be any reason why reproduction covers couldn’t be machined from solid Brass. Has anyone made them available? Is there any interest in reproduction Brass covers?

Ron Sitko has a reproduction orthophonic reproducer. It's a modern version of the pot metal one but its done very well. Sold as a kit.