The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am looking to have my Brunswick reproducers rebuilt, but because they are made of pot metal (and some parts seem to have acquired quite a fondness for those parts adjacent to them), I do not feel comfortable undertaking the rebuild myself (unlike with an Exhibition reproducer).

I am looking to all of you, the voices of experience in this area, for recommendations as to who might give the best rebuild experience for the buck out of the several places available on the web which offer this service. Just as importantly, I am looking to know which places, if any, are best to avoid.

**NOTE** Please, please... Because I do not wish to publicly malign any rebuilder or business, especially on this website, I would kindly ask that any "avoidance" advice or recommendations be sent to me via private message. Of course, resounding positive recommendations should be acceptable within the forum, I would think.

Thank you for all of your invaluable experience and insight... I really do appreciate it!

Tinkerbell:
I've had two Brunswick reproducers rebuilt in the past couple years by Walt Sommers (VictrolaGuy) and have been most pleased with them. These were the Orthophonic-style ones with aluminum diaphragms. In both cases, portions of the pot metal parts had broken or crumpled, and he was able to find suitable replacements for them.
IMO his work is very reasonably priced too.
His website:
http://www.victrolaguy.com/

Or you could PM him through the board.

Hope this helps!
Bob

Thank you, Bob! I'll check him out.

I have never had a Brunswick to have rebuilt, but I have had George Vollema of Great Lakes Antique Phonograph rebuild my Victor reproducers. His work has always been first rate, they all have come back in excellent condition.

I'd recommend both George or Walt.

Brunswick reproducers can be really tricky. I've done four Ultonas in my day, one was one I built out of four different ones that had issues with pot metal, one for a machine I've since sold, one for my BR-260 and one for another member's BR-260. A rebuilt Brunswick reproducer sounds really sweet!

Good luck!
Sean

Thank you, Mike and Sean.

I too can absolutely recommend Walt Sommers for an "Orthophonic"-style reproducer rebuild. He rebuilt a pot metal "Orthophonic" soundbox for my 1926 Credenza in May, & the difference between what it was & what it sounds like today truly is a night & day comparison. From a unit that played acoustic 78s OK but rattled harshly on electrics his magic touch produced a unit that really sounds full, lush & satisfying on any 78 you throw at it. He did a great job for me, & put on a new back that was in far better condition than the one he received.

"Orthophonic" electrical records sound really marvellous, just beautiful. I now play electricals up to about 1935 vintage on my Credenza. Records after the mid or late 1930s can overwhelm this 1925 soundbox design, as the increased dynamic range of later 78s are a bit much to handle. His pricing was reasonable-so much so I did a Jimmy Finlayson double-take on the quote when I first heard it. He's a decent guy, flowingly articulate on the subjects of vintage music & machines, & he understands "us". By that I mean those of us who have been inhaling shellac dust so long it takes our minds happily away from the mainstream

Dennis Forkel

dennman6 wrote:. he understands "us". By that I mean those of us who have been inhaling shellac dust so long it takes our minds happily away from the mainstream

Dennis Forkel

Thank you, Dennis. I just messaged Walt this morning.

And now, it's time to go inhale a little shellac dust of my own!