The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi forum folks,
This weekend I found a Standard Talking Machine model A at an estate sale. I’m a theatre props artisan, so I couldn’t walk away from it. I haven’t the will power. It was 50% off Sunday, but that was still a little too steep for me for an impulse buy, so I offered $80 and they took it. I practically ran out before she could reconsider.
Anyway, once we got it home and started looking online and poking around at its innards and quickly realized we were missing a few key parts. I’m missing the governor, the speed brake (I don’t know if that’s what it’s actually called, pardon my ignorance). Those are the big ones. Any recommendations as to where to find those parts. I’ve been searching, but I haven’t had any luck.
I’m also missing one of the nuts that holds the support arm(?). I have a wing nut on it for now. I’m also missing the escutcheon around the crank hole. And the spindle has been sheared off. I’ll probably just build a new spindle that fits regular 78s.
The diaphragm is also broken. Are those a fairly standard size or is it model specific? Also, should I get a kit with the gaskets, or can I just use the screen spline that I have on hand?
One of the “petals” of the horn has a bit of a crease in it. Is there a good way to smooth that out? Or a thread about the process?

Thanks for all of your help!

Have you tried George Vollema for parts? The Standard A used regular Columbia parts; so anything from a Disc Graphophone of that period will probably work. The soundbox is an "Analyzing" Reproducer, for which replacement diaphragms are readily available.

Without the governor, it will be hard to tell if the mainspring is still good; so be prepared to have the mainspring at least serviced, if not replaced.

To sum up, you'll need at least:
.Governor
.Brake/ speed control (plunger type)
.Bracket mounting bolt
.Diaphragm, gaskets, & isolator for the reproducer
.Spindle
.Crank escutcheon
-Bill

Thanks Bill,
I sent George an email to see what he has in stock.

I kinda figured I’ll need to service or replace the mainspring. It has no tension right now and I assumed that was because the governor is missing. I assume the mainspring will, at the very least, need to be cleaned and greased. Is that something that people do themselves or is it touchy enough to need to send off to a professional?

I also have a gear that’s kind of loose and I’m not sure if that’s because I don’t have the governor or if something else is missing or broken. I attached a picture with the gear pointed out.