The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all,
I bought a rebuilt Victor No. 2 reproducer a couple of years ago and - before I understood the difference between early and late 78 records - tried to readjust it to make it sound better. Since then, I have been worried that it is not functioning properly. How can I readjust it without taking the whole reproducer apart and starting from scratch?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

VictorVV-X wrote:Hello all,
I bought a rebuilt Victor No. 2 reproducer a couple of years ago and - before I understood the difference between early and late 78 records - tried to readjust it to make it sound better. Since then, I have been worried that it is not functioning properly. How can I readjust it without taking the whole reproducer apart and starting from scratch?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I'm assuming you mean adjusting tension on the little U springs.
Basically, loosen the lock nuts and back the screws out, then retighten evenly until both springs have contact and minimal tension.

Using a loud record and full tone needle, test the reproducer and increase tension (evenly on both screws about ¼ turn each at a time) till it doesn't buzz or rattle on loud passages.

Lock down the locknuts.

Not enough tension sounds like crap and too much ruins records.

Oh, and if that Mica Monster dilettante pops in here with some different info... listen to him and not me.

gramophone-georg wrote:

VictorVV-X wrote:Hello all,
I bought a rebuilt Victor No. 2 reproducer a couple of years ago and - before I understood the difference between early and late 78 records - tried to readjust it to make it sound better. Since then, I have been worried that it is not functioning properly. How can I readjust it without taking the whole reproducer apart and starting from scratch?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

I'm assuming you mean adjusting tension on the little U springs.
Basically, loosen the lock nuts and back the screws out, then retighten evenly until both springs have contact and minimal tension.

Using a loud record and full tone needle, test the reproducer and increase tension (evenly on both screws about ¼ turn each at a time) till it doesn't buzz or rattle on loud passages.

Lock down the locknuts.

Not enough tension sounds like crap and too much ruins records.

Oh, and if that Mica Monster dilettante pops in here with some different info... listen to him and not me.

gramophone-georg,
Thank you very much. I will give this a try! I don’t have any loud needles, but will use a medium tone. I greatly appreciated it!