The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a problem with my Vic R reproducer that I need help with. The reproducer hits the record before the needle does. I found a needle that is much longer than most but even that doesn’t work. If this was an Exhibition reproducer I would just simply rotate it a bit but this reproducer has a locking alignment pin on the back. What is the solution?
Thanks
Pete

From the looks of the tool marks on the front and the glob of "glue" on the needle bar, I'd guess it was taken apart and put back together with the front and back sections misaligned.

Chuck

I agree with Chuck... someone probably took this apart to possibly rebuild it, without realizing that it has to be put back together exactly as taken apart. That means before taking it apart you need to mark alignment references - like a line across both parts to be able to put it back exactly in the same position that both halves were in originally... Failure to do so, results in the needle bar being at the wrong angle for the needle to properly contact the record.

The only way to correct this misalignment is to take it apart again (not easy, since it is press fitted and requires breaking the mica to separate the halves) and re-assemble it in the correct orientation. I have done one and would not care to do another, so if you are unfamiliar with Concert reproducers, I would suggest sending it to someone who is and have them correct the problem.

Keep in mind that Concert reproducers can be opened up any time you want without damaging the mica or any part of the reproducer by using a special tool that essentially pushes off the knurled cover. I posted a drawing of this tool here a couple of years ago. Someone told me about how to make the tool when I had to work on a Concert reproducer and it does work nicely. Probably the repair people can correctly re-align your reproducer.
Dan

Yamaphone wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 10:30 pm Keep in mind that Concert reproducers can be opened up any time you want without damaging the mica or any part of the reproducer by using a special tool that essentially pushes off the knurled cover. I posted a drawing of this tool here a couple of years ago. Someone told me about how to make the tool when I had to work on a Concert reproducer and it does work nicely. Probably the repair people can correctly re-align your reproducer.
Dan

I thought I remembered a post about that tool... Would you mind re-posting a picture of it?

Here's the link to Yamaphone's info about the tool mentioned above.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8820&p=53358&hilit=concert#p53358

Hi, I just posted a little more information about this in the "Tips, Tricks & Tutorial" section.
Dan Z.

Thanks, Dan... Now if I need to work on another Concert reproducer, I won't be dreading it...