The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've got a few Cheney reproducers/parts from them and have wondered a bit about them that I haven't been able to read about online. My first question being; can Cheney reproducers use the same types of ring gaskets that are used on reproducers such as Columbia no. 6 and others, or do they use tube gaskets? I've tried using Exhibition tubing but the sound is a bit sub par after rebuilding and it seems fiddly. Secondly, what exactly are the diaphragms made out of? Is it a composite material? Does/has anybody made reproduction diaphragms in either color? And my last question would be does anyone have recommendations on how or if you can rig a Cheney reproducer to play vertically on something like a Victor? Just some small curiosities, that's all.

The Cheney reproducer diaphragms were made out of Gutta-percha -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutta-percha .

Here's a description of the reproducer culled from https://archive.org/details/V78J5
(Click images to view full size.)

R.J. Wakeman wrote an excellent book about the Cheney Talking Machine which is available online for members of the Antique Phonograph Society -- https://www.antiquephono.org

HTH,
OrthoFan

Liamhamb30 wrote: Mon Apr 24, 2023 8:54 am ... And my last question would be does anyone have recommendations on how or if you can rig a Cheney reproducer to play vertically on something like a Victor? Just some small curiosities, that's all.

I've seen Cheney reproducers come in boxes of two which leads me to believe that they were providing one for lateral and one for vertical reproduction. Just an assumption and would be happy to learn from someone with actual knowledge

Andreas

Cheney have both lateral and vertical reproducers you just have to look on ebay or maybe a member has a spare. I sent my reproducer to Wyatt Markus to rebuild because they have two small rubber isolators that need to be changed out in order for the reproducer to sound correctly. Hope this helps.

In case you haven't seen this:

Cheney Owner's Manual -- https://www.nipperhead.com/old/cheney.htm
(Click thumbnail images to view full size.)

OrthoFan

The manual is very helpful, I had no idea about the needle adjustment according to the length. Thank you for posting.