The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi,

I am rebuilding a Victrola No 2 Reproducer. I rebuilt the motor for the VV-100 it came with several years ago and had a lot of fun doing that, but I have another machine upstairs that works good so I never got around to finishing this one. I have gaskets and new mica, but it is clear in disassembling the reproducer that it that it was dropped (maybe several times?) over the years and the needle arm is quite bent. It obviously played before, but not well! One the screws that holds the needle bar to the reproducer was also bent. I found a source on eBay (Gettysburgh Antiques) for the bent screws, but it doesn't look like anyone has needle arm. The Phonograph Shop has it in their catalog but is sold out.

Is there another source for one of these? I looked on eBay to see if I could just buy another whole reproducer to scavenge another needle arm, but in general the prices seemed a bit steep (cheapest ones around $50 bucks). Can I bend this one back straight? Any tips for doing that? Thanks!

Straighten the one you have. Some small needle nose pliers, and a bit of patience, is all that's needed.

Do not, however, attempt to straighten the arm while supporting it by the needle chuck, (as in the way you're holding it in the picture). Hold the arm with one needle nose, near it's base, (near where it's attached), and straighten out the bend just beyond the first needle nose. Continue to do the same with each subsequent bend until it's straight.

I've bent a number of No.2 and Exhibition needle arms back in shape with no problems. I've never even heated them - just room temperature.

Slow and easy. Good luck!

George P.