The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So I have a Victor R (1904) that I bought some months ago. It has an early exhibition with the unusual lever needle release. Anyways a couple weeks ago I noticed one of the screws connecting the needle bar to the rest of the reproducer had become dangerously loose, so I screwed it back in only to find that the whole alignment of the bar is now a bit out of wack and the sound has not been quite the same since. I have not readjusted a reproducer's needle bar before and I'm having trouble finding an example of the typical screw setting and thus the original authentic sound. If anyone could provide advice on how to properly and authentically set these screws (PICTURES OF YOURS IF YOU HAVE SUCH A REPRODUCER WOULD BE EXTRODINARLY HELPFUL) I would be beyond grateful!

MasterJack555 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 1:03 am (PICTURES OF YOURS IF YOU HAVE SUCH A REPRODUCER WOULD BE EXTRODINARLY HELPFUL)

Pictures of YOURS would be even more helpful.

My bad lol. Does this help?

First things, first... Have you replaced the white rubber gaskets around the diaphragm on the front of the reproducer? If they are hard, they definitely need replacing to allow the mica to flex. The two needle bar screws adjust the tension placed on the mica. When looking at the mica from the side, it shouldn't appear concave (bowed in) or convex (pushed out). Adjust each screw in and out until the mica is flat, which should give you the correct adjustment.

The two knurled nuts should be centered on the threads to allow you to adjust the screws - they appear to be locked in your pics.

Nothing looks too much out of place. As Curt mentions, the 2 screws are to be adjusted per his directions. The locking knurled nuts are meant to lock in that adjustment. In the last photo, the lower nut appears to be locked down correctly, while the upper is locked against the tension spring, which is incorrect.

It find of looks as if the 2 "flat top" screws that attach the tension springs to the needle bar assembly might be loose, as I can see gaps between the spirngs and the needle bar plate. Maybe those are the loose screws you refer to??

Hi All- I do see something out of place--
The tension springs should be attached on the underside of the crossbar-- not on the top. That will give the proper angle for adjusting the tension screws.

Brad Abell

Here's a couple pictures of two Exhibitions showing the proper location of the tension springs--- (One lever type--and one standard) The screw hole in the crossbar is threaded all the way through. The springs should mount from the underside of the crossbar-- not on top. Hope this helps.

Brad Abell

outune wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2023 11:21 pm Hi All- I do see something out of place--
The tension springs should be attached on the underside of the crossbar-- not on the top. That will give the proper angle for adjusting the tension screws.

Brad Abell

Wow! I'm embarrassed! I totally missed that. Yes, they're mounted on the wrong side and also upside down.

I'm getting old...

Circling back to MasterJack555 -- the OP. We all have different ways of adjusting things--- For me-- When I adjust the tension on the needle bar, I remove the tiny screw that attaches the bar to the diaphragm so it is free floating--(Don't lose it ) Be sure to clean off any wax, dirt etc from the screw and the diaphragm- Once the tension springs are mounted correctly and new gaskets are installed, use the tension screws to evenly adjust the bar until it is just barely touching the diaphragm... a "neutral" position. Then reinstall the needle bar screw. -- Test the reproducer with a good record. -- You can fine tune to your preferred sound by turning the tension screws in tiny increments if you'd like. Once you like how it sounds, tighten the locking nuts on the tension screws while holding the screws to keep them from turning and melt a small amount of beeswax on the head of the screw that secures the needle bar to the diaphragm.

And Jerry Van-- Yes- we're all getting old I just happened to have had a diet coke and a piece of cake last night.. I guess the caffeine and the sugar had me awake enough to notice the springs were on the wrong side of the crossbar. But I still forget where I parked my car at Home Depot!

Brad Abell

Brad's method work very well as long as the little pad that rests on the mica is parallel to the mica. I have had several where the pad is not and once you tighten it with the little screw, the sound volume lessens. I usually adjust the springs with the mica gaskets removed and verify that the mica is in the middle around the whole perimeter. Sometimes I need to "tweek" the needle bar to get the pad adjusted. It is amazing how much the volume peaks if the needle bar is balanced on the mica.