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I've acquired a Credenza (photos below, s/n 1452, brass soundbox). Plays nicely to my ear, but I have a few questions about the taper tube and brake/stop mechanism. See photos below. The gasket under the taper tube mount has a protruding tab that limits the movement of the tube to around 90 degrees. It can be flipped over to limit arm movement to another angle, and it seems the way shown in the photo works best for getting the freest movement over the record. However, the arm can then no longer be moved completely off the record easily. I have seen diagrams showing ball bearings under the felt piece but I have none.

The stop post on the taper tube is snapped off - I suppose it could be replaced without much problem. And the brake has a pencil eraser attached. Any guidance, resources, etc. for configuring all this correctly greatly appreciated. Thanks...

That's a very nice looking machine there! I can't help with the specifics you ask, since I don't own a Credenza but I like the pencil eraser in the brake; I'm going to try that in my XI when the leather stop wears out (could be a long wait). If I were you, and the brake works OK as is, I'd leave it alone. Those little metal prongs can break off if bent too much. If you must replace, you can use leather shoe lacing or scrap stock from a shoe repair or leather goods place. Near my summer place in the Adirondacks is a a business called the Leather Artisan (believe they have a website), and they sell bags of cut-offs and scraps for cheap at the store.

The ball bearing are between the black cast bracket and the gold tone arm. If the arm swings back & forth freely, you're OK. I personally would replace the eraser with a piece of leather. A leather pad with a little oil will bring the motor to a more gradual stop rather than an abrupt stop with the eraser. Enjoy your Victrola. Jerry Blais

I don't have a machine with that exact style of tone arm, but the idea is that the tone arm should move to the right enough to accommodate a 12 inch record (a little past the outside edge of the turntable). The movement to the left should stop a little past the center of the record. The tone arm usually doesn't swing completely out of the way of the record.

This Credenza looks familiar:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=5731

Yep, that's the one. Plays great and looks great in my living room (now officially renamed "the parlor" due to the new guest of honor). The previous owner had it nearly 30 years and claimed the burlwood laminate was already there when he bought it. He was very clear on all that upfront, and since I wanted it mainly for the sound quality I was OK with that. And heck, with brass Ortho soundboxes bringing close to $500 by themselves, maybe it wasn't too bad an investment after all!

Thanks everyone for the helpful comments so far.

I, for one, like the looks of yours, and as you have said, it's all about the sound. And congrats for scoring a brass Ortho at that price!

I just finished my 1925 Credenza yesterday, i refinished the cabinet, it was in bad shape, the finish was almost gone. But mine came with a brass Reproducer and 28 full Victrola binders or records and a nice tiger oak record cabinet. I only paid 200 for the lot.
Like you said the Brass Reproducers are very hard to find, and not cheap by any means. Im my opinion you wont find a better sounding Machine than the Credenza. But im sure alot of others on the forum have their favorites as well. Normally i do not beleive in refinishing these machines but if the finish is so bad that you wouldnt keep it in the garahge even unless its covered up, there is no choice.
Did you have to redo your reproducer? new bal bearings Ect?
I was lucky enough to have mine sound great. But some day i will give it a overhaul. The guy i got mine from said it hasnt played music since the Summer of 1957.
All i need to do on mine now is put new grill cloth in and its done.
Did you get any extra's with it? records binders Ect?
You have a good looking machine there, Congrats and enjoy it!

It looks like you did well indeed. A brass reproducer just went for over $700 on eBay!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... MEWAX%3AIT

Clay

The brass reproducers are great, i have 3 of them, and 3 pot metal ones. Some say the pot metal ones sound better, and some say the other does.
Myself and my opinion, the pot metal ones make the tone a little more rich and warm,. The real only advantage to a brass one is being able to fully rebuild and will never break and swell and crack like a pot metal one.
Alot of people may think 700 is alot for one, and it may be but i cherrish the ones i own and wouldnt take 1200 for 1 of them.
They only made them in 1925 and thats all, 1 year. They came on the early Orthophonic machiens and the small consoles released on Victor day in 25.
I remember seeing that Credenza on ebay, im glad you rescued this machine, this is the flagship model at the time for the Orthophonics.
Just make sure all your seals are all regreased and sealed for air leakage.
Id pull that tone arm back off, pack that jouint there where the felt washer is with grease. Open up the back and make sure that black flange in the back that connects the tonearm is tight and sealed with grease, and where the 4 screws and bolts hold that to the horn, make sure those are all tight and id seal a little grease around the joint, seems messy but you need this to get proper bass response and air tightness.

Then take a bright light, i use a drop light and turn the lights out and shine the light behind the horn in the back, have someone shine that back there close to the horn and you stand in front to see if you see any cracks in the wood or loose joints, if you see any light through seal them with liquid hide glue thats what i use.
Make sure you replace the ruber flange thats on the back of the reproducer with a new one, they are like 7 bucks, that needs to be airtight to, not to mention if its all dry and hard it can ruin your records to because of lack of needle movement.
If you have any questions or need help send me a private message will be more than happy to help you out. The credenza is a fine machine, and if air tight and working proper;y is a great sounding machine