The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Posted: **Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:52 pm**

Hello all
I bought a gold Exhibition reproducer on eBay for my VTLA. I purchased it because it was an early one with the round needle hole, which would be appropriate for the age of my VTLA. I could not really tell in the auction pics, but when I received it today I was very disappointed to see that the needle bar is apparently a repro with a metal disc that is glued to the diaphragm. See pics below. On the auction site I thought it was a large blob of wax. Has anyone ever seen this type of bar? It looks exactly like an old bar and has old screws on it, but the part where it meets the diaphragm is the only odd bit. The serial number is 40678B, does anyone know if that is early enough to have had a bar with the round hole? The seller does not accept returns but I have asked for a partial refund. I have got to think that the metal disc would kill some of the sound. opinions??

Thank you

John Robles

Posted: **Wed Apr 20, 2022 6:02 pm**

Hi John,

The needle bar appears to be from an early ERJ reproducer.
Probably was swapped out during it's rebuild.

Cheers, Bob S.

Posted: **Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:53 pm**

Zwebie wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 6:02 pm Hi John,

The needle bar appears to be from an early ERJ reproducer.
Probably was swapped out during it's rebuild.

Cheers, Bob S.

I'd like that to be the case, but the thumbscrew is a larger diameter than the Victor thumbscrew. I tried putting a Victor thumbscrew in it and it just slides right in without grabbing the thread. Is that correct?

Posted: **Wed Apr 20, 2022 8:23 pm**

john9ten wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 7:53 pm
Zwebie wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 6:02 pm Hi John,

The needle bar appears to be from an early ERJ reproducer.
Probably was swapped out during it's rebuild.

Cheers, Bob S.
Confusing! I saw an ERJ Exhibition with the regular needle bar, and then an ERJ long throat Exhibition with the same bar as yours. Crazy!

John

Posted: **Thu Apr 21, 2022 6:52 am**

I'd like that to be the case, but the thumbscrew is a larger diameter than the Victor thumbscrew. I tried putting a Victor thumbscrew in it and it just slides right in without grabbing the thread. Is that correct?

Hi John,
I've seen ERJ reproducers with different set screws. Possibly the bar has been re-tapped for a larger set screw?
Here are some pictures.
Also, an early round-hole Exhibition should have a squared back, (not tapered), and inset back flange screws, and knurled nuts as seen in these two pictures.
Bob S.

Posted: **Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:51 pm**

Zwebie wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 6:52 am
I'd like that to be the case, but the thumbscrew is a larger diameter than the Victor thumbscrew. I tried putting a Victor thumbscrew in it and it just slides right in without grabbing the thread. Is that correct?
Hi John,
I've seen ERJ reproducers with different set screws. Possibly the bar has been re-tapped for a larger set screw?
Here are some pictures.
Also, an early round-hole Exhibition should have a squared back, (not tapered), and inset back flange screws, and knurled nuts as seen in these two pictures.
Bob S.

Hi

Excellent pics, thanks. I got a round hole nickel reproducer, it is an HMV though not Victor. Maybe I should get a regular Exhibition needle bar for the gold reproducer and sell it, then sell the early needle bar by itself.

John

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