The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So this is my first post and I’m sort of new to this hobby (Covid lockdowns created a lot of new converts I’m sure). I picked up a Cecilian Melophonic about a month ago and I totally destroyed that machine (well not really, but it feels that way since it went from sort of playing to not playing at all).

I figured maybe I should try with a machine that was a little more mainstream and found this Victrola VV 8-9 for sale for $300. It was in good shape and played and I figured this would be an easier machine to work on.

Well, I got it home and knocked the tone arm loose. No problem I thought. It’s just a tiny screw that I need to tighten and I’ll be good.

Well, I think this tiny screw is somewhere inside my horn now.

Won’t lie, I’m not off to a good start.

That's a steal at $300!! Very scarce and neat machines. Nice buy!

You have a good looking Victrola. Perhaps Ron Sitko (contact information in the Links Section) can help with parts.

Well it worth a try to get that screw if it went down in the horn. A small magnet on a extension wand worked for me with my 8-35. Yes, I know the horn is metal too. That is why the magnet is on a stick not a string.

https://www.amazon.com/Edward-Tools-Mag ... 096&sr=8-6


Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN

Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately I can’t seem to get the tone arm or bracket off and I’m a bit worried about breaking it. I found what appears to be a workable replacement on eBay and figured I’ll leave the old screw alone where it’s at. May be a dumb question but do you think it would cause any problems to leave it in there?

ChesterCheetah18 wrote: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:50 am That's a steal at $300!! Very scarce and neat machines. Nice buy!

Thanks! Now I really got to be sure I don’t mess this up. Lol

David F wrote: Mon Mar 01, 2021 10:51 am Thanks for the tip. Unfortunately I can’t seem to get the tone arm or bracket off and I’m a bit worried about breaking it. I found what appears to be a workable replacement on eBay and figured I’ll leave the old screw alone where it’s at. May be a dumb question but do you think it would cause any problems to leave it in there?

No, it shouldn't be an issue. You do need to have the support post that holds the tonearm steady in the bracket as well as the screw. If you don't have that, replacements are available.

If the screw starts buzzing, it's on the horn!

I don't see how the tiny screw could fall into the horn, but if you think it's down there the screws holding the bracket down should be easy to unscrew with a screw driver that fits in the slot properly. Push down firmly and lefty loosy should break it free. Do you have the back bracket pivot pin? Both parts are easy to obtain and you should be good to go. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=195

I had assumed you had taken the tonearm and bracket off and that is how the screw went down into the horn. Otherwise the screw is probably just stuck between the bracket and tone arm.

On those later Orthophonics with metal horns Victor used a rubber gasket between the horn and bracket assembly instead of the earlier felt gasket. The rubber usually becomes gooey then turns almost solid and sticks the bracket base and horn together. The only way I have successfully made them release is to unbolt the bass bracket from the horn and remove the bolts. Slip paper under the base around it between it and the wood so you do not scar the wood and then start twisting the bracket back and forth with brute strength and awkwardness. If you can get a hair dryer near the coupling form behind in the cabinet that may help make the rubber release as well. Good luck and one has to have finesse when doing this and feel just how much force to use. Do not use the tonearm as a lever for the twisting back and forth. You will snap the little brass pin in the back that limits it travel back and forth besides denting the arm against the bracket. You could also try carefully prying the bracket up carefully. But not too force ably.

By the way you will have to replace the rubber gasket as it will go to pieces.

Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN