My New Orthophonic!

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

I am now the newest owner of an electric VE 8-35X! It can be seen (kinda) here:

http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/at ... 50311.html

He was asking $150. Do you want to know how much I paid for it? Nothing. Absolutely free. Why? Simply because I am the best salesman/negotiator in Virginia

It does have some issues, the entire top needs new veneer. It obviously had water dripping on it at some point. The back "strip" is by far the worst, but the rest could use it too. Might as well do it all, so it all matches.

It is missing it's reproducer, which isn't a huge deal, but I do want to find one to fit it, so I don't have to keep swapping the one I have between 2 machines.

Unfortunately, the back bracket for the arm is broken (from what I hear, a common problem) so the arm is fairly loose, because of this. Problem is, I cannot remove the bracket to inspect it. I removed all 4 screws, but (try as hard as I could) it wouldn't come out. There are two little screws slightly inboard of the 4 main screws, are they attached to the horn also? Because, it's not coming off.

It comes with the original tube/box of "Victor Electric Motor Grease" as well as the original tags, still on the motor lift knob, specifying it to be used in an AC household only, and to remind the owner to ensure the turntable is operatign at 78RPM's upon delivery.

Also, can I still find a light for this machine? The original one was working....then it died. I tried to unscrew it, but only succeeded in breaking the base off in the socket. I'm pretty sure I can get it out, but does this take a type of bulb that is still somewhat easy to find? Thanks!

(I'll upload pics shortly, photobucket is a bit slow this evening.)

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

[AZ*]

That sounds like a great deal. You should be able to fix it up and make it quite presentable. Replacement brackets are available. The last time I checked, they cost $65. The Smiths used to sell them, but they retired and sold the casting business. I think Ron Sitko sells them, but I don't know the price.

Unless somebody has mucked about with it, removing the 4 large screws should allow you to remove the bracket/tonearm assembly from the horn. The 2 smaller screws hold the bracket to the base only. Often the bracket has swelled (curse of pot metal), and you have to destroy the bracket to remove it from the base. Some black spray paint and a new bracket will make it good as new.

I don't know about the bulb. Check with a specialty lighting store. I think it may have a standard candelabra base.

[OrthoFan]

Not too bad, starting out with a top of the line Orthophonic model!

For what you paid, it will be well worth it to invest a little for the missing/damaged parts.

Along that line, you might want to inspect the horn, ASAP. As noted in a previous post, the 8-35 is equipped with a metal horn, and since the cabinet was exposed to moisture, you'll want to check for obvious signs of rust or corrosion.
(Hopefully, this won't be an issue, but if you spot anything it should be taken care of right away.)

As for the motor, it's probably a good idea to have it completely overhauled with fresh wires before playing too many records. There was a post about this awhile back -- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=3995

Once it's restored, I'm sure you'll be amazed at the jaw dropping fidelity you can get from a good Orthophonic recording.

OF

[brianu]

I don't know whether taking something for nothing that's obviously worth something from an obviously ignorant seller is really worth bragging about. but so far as the machine itself goes, aside from the veneer work (which may consume some time), it looks like it should clean up well. those electric motors can just be trying, though, and I don't care what anyone says to the contrary.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

I didn't "steal" it from the guy. He told me he just put 150 up there to see if anyone would bite. He just wanted to see it go to someone who would restore it. I told him what I thought about it (damaged veneer, broken tonearm support, missing books, reproducer) and he said to just take it then, because he didn't want to throw it away.

To be honest, I have a feeling the wires are fine (essentially.)

The phonograph hasn't been used much, from what I can tell, as all the common "wear" pars have almost no wear on them. It's just been moved around a lot....roughly..over the years.


Plus, I couldn't get the plug out of the back of the machine. I didn't want to force it to come out, so I plugged a "3 to 2" adaptor onto the plug, and ran a small cord from it to the outlet.

The bulb does have a candelabra base, but I didn't know if they still made them long like that. Seems like something you would find in an office desk/reading lamp, however.

The cheapest I have seen the back brackets so far is $140, and I personally feel that's ridiculous. I will check with George Vollema, and perhaps I'll have better luck.

I don't think it's wise to play anything but "bad" records on there now, as the tonearm isn't supported like it should be, and extra stress is being put on the record.

And just a side note, I am not the type of man who would EVER try to take anything from someone that is not rightfully mine. If they want to give it to me, I will be more than happy to take it (and usually, compensate them even a little) but I'm not going to try and "convince" someone they should give it to me, as that's just wrong. I realize the statement in my first post is essentially saying the opposite of this statement, but I meant it purely as an expression. We talked for a good 20 minutes or so casually, before he offered it to me. I by no means tried to "trick" him into giving it to me.

[estott]

The proper albums turn up on Ebay now and then, but the higher quality record albums from the 40's-50's had fancy spines and could make good substitutes. A load of old classical albums would do nicely too.

[brianu]

I couldn't tell from the posts above... the motor is working? that's great if it is, but watch running it too long if it hasn't been cleaned... you may begin to notice a burning smell from the dust - it can be kind of unsettling.

those replacement back brackets though, really shouldn't cost you more than $70 or so based on what I've bought in the past, and what I've seen more recently at a couple shows... $140 really seems excessive.

the 8-35, like someone else mentioned, has that metal horn that only a few victor machines used, and the sound I think really beats most any other that the company used.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Actually, as I was typing my first post, the motor slowed down to 10 RPMs or so.

I lifted the motorboard (btw, all the wires look new, no signs of rotting/broken insulation anywhere) and greased all the areas it said on the diagram, and it was having a little trouble, until I manually grabbed the spindle and spun it a few times, and now it's fine.

What's best to lubricate these with? Do they need it often? I'm used to spring motors, but not these.

[Uncle Vanya]

The wiring should be replaced if the rubber insulation has become stiff, lest the insulation crumble and fall off when the wires are flexed, leading to a short-circuit.

These motors are not that difficult to repair or lubricate. A bit of heavy gear oil or Molybdenum grease on the worm gear, and light oil
on the pivots and the governor friction leather will take care of matters.

Occasionally these motors will make a more-or-less loud humming noise, due to la loosening of the coils on their pole-pieces. This may be easily corrected with cardboard shims.