The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone. I’m happy to be a part of this community.
My father has passed along a nice phonograph to me this past weekend. It was originally purchased by my great grandfather around 1920. My grandmother had it for quite awhile, then my father for the last 15 years.

It has a plate that says “Sold only by Noyes Bros & Cutler Inc, Saint Paul”. From my research, this is a Paramount c1920. At least the cabinet is. I have not dug into this machine any further. It still winds up some, the turn table and brake work, but it chatters some.
The tonearm is broken where it mounts. I need a new one! Either an original, or even another one that gets the job done at this point would make me happy.
I’d also like the springs replaced. My dad says he remembers his brother winding it up too much nevdsy and something popped. So he says. This brings up another reason I’m very passionate about getting this thing running again. My father has Alzheimer’s disease and it progressed to a point I believe he’s going to be too far gone in a year to even remember any of this. I’m on a mission to have this thing playing a record by mid summer if that’s possible.
I’m mechanically inclined and can do a lot myself, but not sure where to find parts or service if the springs are too much for me to handle.

Any help, pointers, and advice would truly be appreciated! Thank you everyone! So happy to have found this forum.

More pics

It's good that you're open to using an appropriate but not exact tone arm replacement. The one critical dimension in sourcing one, will be the distance from the center of the turntable spindle to the center of the hole where the tone arm mounts. You'll want to find a tone arm that has that length from its rear pivot point to the tip of the needle. It doesn't have to be exact. Maybe +/- ¼". Also, the base will need to fit up well with hole in the cabinet motor board.

Looks like the tonearm base has lost some clamp pin to engage on these parts inside the tonearm. The missing bits would have likely fallen down are may still be inside the internal horn...!

Inigo wrote: Tue Mar 25, 2025 12:36 pm Looks like the tonearm base has lost some clamp pin to engage on these parts inside the tonearm. The missing bits would have likely fallen down are may still be inside the internal horn...!

I looked behind the grill last night. No luck unfortunately.

JerryVan wrote: Tue Mar 25, 2025 12:23 pm It's good that you're open to using an appropriate but not exact tone arm replacement. The one critical dimension in sourcing one, will be the distance from the center of the turntable spindle to the center of the hole where the tone arm mounts. You'll want to find a tone arm that has that length from its rear pivot point to the tip of the needle. It doesn't have to be exact. Maybe +/- ¼". Also, the base will need to fit up well with hole in the cabinet motor board.

Appreciate the advice. I’m hooking up with dyslexic genius from YouTube (Brett Hurt) next week. He’s local to me fortunately.

That's a great point. He's the kindest of men and surely will help you and give valuable advice... What a luck to live near him!

Inigo wrote: Tue Mar 25, 2025 12:49 pm That's a great point. He's the kindest of men and surely will help you and give valuable advice... What a luck to live near him!

I’m blessed he’s willing to help. I’m on a mission to revitalize this beautiful thing so my dad can see it and hear it again before the Alzheimer’s gets the best of him. Gotta make him proud one last time l!!

That's great Jason. Brett will definitely be valuable help in this. Please keep us posted on your progress!

JerryVan wrote: Tue Mar 25, 2025 1:27 pm That's great Jason. Brett will definitely be valuable help in this. Please keep us posted on your progress!

I will certainly update this post as the journey continues !