The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello friends,
A neighbor gave me what he described as an old Victrola suitcase phonograph. He was, as you may have guessed, using the term generically. It has absolutely no identifying markings except that the motor is a General Industries Junior, which doesn’t really narrow it down.
The machine is in… okay shape. The tone arm broke at what looks to have been a joint in the bend, and has been repaired with a bit of black flexible hose. The reproducer is shot unless I want to give resoldering it a go. The motor runs quiet and steadily for about 5 minutes, but without any needle friction it’s hard to say.

My point in asking is for help identifying a compatible reproducer - if I can just buy someone else’s work I’ll be happy to pay for it. Just for grins, here’s a photo of the back, and with a Victrola No 2 for reference. Any and all information would be gratefully received!

Pinpointing an exact brand name may be very difficult. This is a generic design used for many low-end portables sold during the late 1930s/early 1940s such as this Pal portable --


FROM -- https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... ord-player -- which shares many of the same components as the one you have.

Oftentimes, these relatively inexpensive "unbranded" portables were sold at dime stores, hardware or department stores, or other places that did not carry name brand items.

OrthoFan

Check out this thread. It may be helpful with regard to the reproducer. viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51476

I have a model very similar which is an RCA Victor Victrola O-14. They were cheaper models sold throughout the 1930s and 1940s and feature a single spring motor, which is pretty powerful for its size I have heard when properly rebuilt Typically the soundbox will show up on eBay about once a month, I believe an RCA Victor or generic one (typically with holes on the front plate) will fit as they use the same rubber part. They do sound relatively quite nice when running!

just a note- looks like the diaphragm is messed up

Thanks all, this is super helpful. I'd definitely read back the old threads and don't have much hope of figuring out the maker, though it's a perfect match except for the badging with the PAL one @OrthoFan posted. It's got a fairly distinctive cutout for the horn (such as it is) so that's probably what this one is.

I was able to sort-of get that Victor reproducer to wedge on, but nothing that feels like the "right" fit for this tonearm. (Though it's pretty dang battered and no doubt the pot metal has swollen.) It's good to know what to look for!

I'll start trawling eBay for something that looks about right, because yeah - that diaphragm does look beyond my fledgeling ability. (though the tiny screw and washer that connected it to the needle arm are still in the baggie with the other parts...)

This convinces me that most portables made in this era were all made by the same factory but stamped with the names of the company that paid for them. This looks quite similar in style and make to my RCA Victor O-1 except the sound comes out the front rather than the back. Just had an ordeal restoring this one but did eventually get it going...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51527