The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi! I'm new to this forum.
I just picked up what I think is a Birch (Boetsch) Model 3 at an estate sale. I have plenty of turntables (and a 78 stylus on one f them) but this is my first acoustic crank model. I just bought some soft needles so I'm excited.
My problem: It has a soundbox that I can't identify. Plus, I'm pretty sure my soundbox is missing a part (thumbscrew?) that holds the needle and connects it to the reproducer. (I don't know the terminology so bear with me). On the part that might hold that thumbscrew I see a pin that seems to be broken. I tried to put the needle in but it didn't really go.
So my questions are: Can any of you mavens identify the soundbox? And what if anything am I missing? Can this be fixed?
I'm attaching photos of the soundbox and the piece in question. Any help would be welcome. Thanks!

You're not really missing anything, and there's nothing to be fixed.

There is an old needle broken off inside. Loosen the screw, the broken needle end should fall out, (or coax it out with a strong magnet), insert your new needle, snug down the screw, play your record.

No, it shouldn't be a slotted screw. It should be a thumbscrew, but it should still work just fine.

MontyPicon wrote:Hi! I'm new to this forum.
I just picked up what I think is a Birch (Boetsch) Model 3 at an estate sale. I have plenty of turntables (and a 78 stylus on one f them) but this is my first acoustic crank model. I just bought some soft needles so I'm excited.
My problem: It has a soundbox that I can't identify. Plus, I'm pretty sure my soundbox is missing a part (thumbscrew?) that holds the needle and connects it to the reproducer. (I don't know the terminology so bear with me). On the part that might hold that thumbscrew I see a pin that seems to be broken. I tried to put the needle in but it didn't really go.
So my questions are: Can any of you mavens identify the soundbox? And what if anything am I missing? Can this be fixed?
I'm attaching photos of the soundbox and the piece in question. Any help would be welcome. Thanks!

Birch Model 3 soundbox.jpg

reproducer.jpg

Welcome to the Forum - a new obsession awaits...

Your reproducer is one of thousands of generic reproducers from the phonograph age. It appears that something is stuck in the needle chuck, maybe a broken needle or something that someone tried to use as a needle (it's not supposed to be there). You are missing the thumbscrew that originally held the needle in place and unless the screw that is in there was exactly the same size and thread pitch of the original thumbscrew, you will probably not be able to find a replacement that fits, as the new screw probably re-tapped the original hole size in the brass chuck.

My personal opinion is that you would probably be better off finding another generic reproducer that fits your tonearm - it won't devalue your machine to do so. These are relatively common and easily obtained on eBay or maybe from one of the Forum members. Birch is a generic off brand machine that may have used parts from different manufacturers at different production times. A picture of the back of your reproducer would give a better idea of what reproducer would fit your machine.

If you want to try to fix the one you have, first you will need to remove the obstruction in the needle chuck. Then, you will need to see if the slotted screw changed the hole size and if it did, it would not be worth the trouble to fix the needle bar/chuck, since finding a replacement that fits is a futile search, since it is not a major common brand.

So, to start the research please post a picture of the back of your reproducer...

Curt

Apparently Jerry posted just before me and he's right, if you can remove the obstruction and don't mind the slotted screw, you should be able to play records with this reproducer. I'm a little more OCD, when it comes to parts and I like them to be correct. Also, steel needles are good for only one or two plays before they start to wear out your records...

Thanks for the replies. I'm asking because I saw a similar unit on ebay that did have an additional part. Here's the picture: Here's the back of the reproducer:

The one you picture from eBay has the correct thumbscrew. Otherwise, it's the same thing. Yours appears to be in very good condition. Just remove the bit of broken needle and you'll be good to go.

Excellent! Thanks for your help. In general, the machine seems to be in good shape:

How much do they want for the one on eBay? If it's cheap enough, it might be worth getting and you might not find an exact match later. I just think that the slotted screw detracts from your machine... but if it doesn't bother you, it will definitely work. The only drawback is that every time you want to change a needle, which is often if you play it a lot, you have to use a screwdriver... One other thing, just in case you don't know, is the needle playing position as shown in the attached picture.

Thanks for the adivce. The seller wants $44, which is more than I want to spend
(I paid $22 for the machine). Here is the original listing:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-RCA-Vi ... SwRiJeMe4K

I'm having trouble getting that little piece out. I hate to think I have to get another reproducer, but that may be necessary. Any good source for inexpensive ones that will fit?

Is very similar in appearance to some Toman's that I acquired a few months ago, designed for portables from what I've been able to learn, the one's I have all have amazing sound quality. As for getting the broken piece out, if you have a Hobby Lobby or Micheal's nearby you should be able to get a set of small jewelers tweezers or micro-needle nose pliers that can reach in and grip it and get it out. Hopefully someone didn't use some type of glue or solder inside it.