The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello Everyone! I recently acquired a Brunswick model 117 phonograph. It looks like it may be tiger oak? Is this an Ultona model?
The majority of the furniture piece seems to be in good condition with the exception of a couple of nicks. As for the rest- motor, reproducer, etc., I am not sure. The reproducer looks to be pot metal...
I am very hesitant to take out the motor, as I am not quite sure yet how to without being too forceful since it has been sitting for a while. I have read through a lot of material on what to grease or replace. It would be nice to see if there are any suggestions on cleaning or repair from anyone that has seen or has this model. Thanks!

Indyroma,

That is a nice looking machine. I really like the oak! To me, the reproducer looks to be a Pathé & Lateral (not the Ultona). I think you'll find the motor, once refreshed, will run strong and long. And I'm sure you can easily find a Pathé stylus in the Yankee Trader.

(Shameless plug: You could find a whole machine and an Ultona - BOTH NEED LOTS OF WORK here: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=36268.)

Have fun with your new machine!

-Michael

There were two versions of the Ultona tonearm. SEE -- http://www.thecuckoofarm.com/cuckoo/pho ... na/ult.php

This one has the "Single Ultona" (single diaphragm) reproducer. You can download a manual from the link I provided.

HTH,
OrthoFan

Congrats on the new machine, Indyroma.

Brunswick started of as a billiards company before transitioning into a general manufacturer making everything from toilet seats to phonographs by the 1900s. This one dates after 1918 into the early 1920s with the one sided ultona. You'll have to get it properly serviced before you can seriously start playing records, as its best to stick to primarily acoustic records before the 1930s, as you can't play any 78.

Indyroma,

Your Brunswick looks to be in excellent condition and the oak veneer is quite attractive. I don't own a 117, but I can tell you that taking it apart is not that complected or hard. Unscrew the three screws at the base of the Ultonia and lift it off the metal base. Carefully lift the turn table off by pulling up on both sides and it should lift right off. At this point everything should be exposed so you will see how to remove the motor, but take your time. The motor is attached to the metal plate and you don't want to unscrew the motor. Work slowly and if you get stuck, stop and grab your camera. There is a lot of members of this site who have many years experience servicing phonographs.

Congratulations on you fine acquisition.

audiophile102 wrote:Indyroma,

Your Brunswick looks to be in excellent condition and the oak veneer is quite attractive. I don't own a 117, but I can tell you that taking it apart is not that complected or hard. Unscrew the three screws at the base of the Ultonia and lift it off the metal base. Carefully lift the turn table off by pulling up on both sides and it should lift right off. At this point everything should be exposed so you will see how to remove the motor, but take your time. The motor is attached to the metal plate and you don't want to unscrew the motor. Work slowly and if you get stuck, stop and grab your camera. There is a lot of members of this site who have many years experience servicing phonographs.

Congratulations on you fine acquisition.

Just one other thing - don't forget to unscrew the crank before trying to remove the motor board. You do this by turning the crank counterclockwise (i.e., the "wrong" way) until it comes loose.

Thank you all for your advise - I will take the motor out to just check it out first. As for 78s, isn't acoustic a phase of 78s? Acoustic, orthophonic, Big Band, etc?
The machine came with quite a few records, so I assume that these are ones that can be played. How would one distinguish between an acoustic label from others?

Indyroma wrote:Thank you all for your advise - I will take the motor out to just check it out first. As for 78s, isn't acoustic a phase of 78s? Acoustic, orthophonic, Big Band, etc?
The machine came with quite a few records, so I assume that these are ones that can be played. How would one distinguish between an acoustic label from others?

There are many, many threads on this topic here already. Search the board for things like "what records can I play", or "acoustic electric records", etc. There are varying opinions on the topic.

Indyroma wrote:Thank you all for your advise - I will take the motor out to just check it out first. As for 78s, isn't acoustic a phase of 78s? Acoustic, orthophonic, Big Band, etc?
The machine came with quite a few records, so I assume that these are ones that can be played. How would one distinguish between an acoustic label from others?

Acoustic means records primarily recorded before 1925, by that year most companies would move to electrically recorded. It best to stick to records before 1930, and mostly acoustic, as some dime store labels kept recording acoustically till the later 20s.

A fellow member "Roaring20s" has a resource site I like that's fairly simple on labels and their history.Check out the section before 1930 to get an idea of most acoustic labels like the common bat-wing:(http://www.tedstaunton.com/by_zone/north_america.html)