Viva-tonal No. 9 reproducer budget build
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 10:26 pm
I think I've pulled off my cheapest reproducer rebuild. My Viva-Tonal portable is one of the little Columbia 202s which is super small and cute--doesn't get played much because it has a tendency to blast. Decided to tear into the reproducer awhile ago and found out it's rebuildable; the potmetal on the 202 I have is mostly on the internal horn instead of the brass soundbox.
Found some Victor/HMV gasket tubing around here, dug up a used razor blade and broke the corner off that to use for a screwdriver, heated the rosin on the needle bar with a kitchen match and got that pulled off there. Grabbed a fluffy pipe cleaner & the fluid bottle from my Ronson lighter and cleaned the diaphragm, put the whole thing back together, and it plays wonderfully.
That is a whole reproducer built for probably a total of 85 cents.
I shan't be repairing the leatherette with patch material but will be putting replica vintage luggage-labels on there as a sort of bandage to help cover the original leatherette. I do not have the money to get a lot of bookbinding fabric and riveting tools, and that phonograph is far too pretty to risk ruining with my amateurish skills.
It's needed rebuilding for a long time; I'm considering an overhaul of the motor as I've not done that in years. The mainspring may be a bit weak but I forgot what kind of motor is in the 202. For sure I do need to replace the carry-handle. Otherwise it's coming out all right.
Found some Victor/HMV gasket tubing around here, dug up a used razor blade and broke the corner off that to use for a screwdriver, heated the rosin on the needle bar with a kitchen match and got that pulled off there. Grabbed a fluffy pipe cleaner & the fluid bottle from my Ronson lighter and cleaned the diaphragm, put the whole thing back together, and it plays wonderfully.
That is a whole reproducer built for probably a total of 85 cents.
I shan't be repairing the leatherette with patch material but will be putting replica vintage luggage-labels on there as a sort of bandage to help cover the original leatherette. I do not have the money to get a lot of bookbinding fabric and riveting tools, and that phonograph is far too pretty to risk ruining with my amateurish skills.
It's needed rebuilding for a long time; I'm considering an overhaul of the motor as I've not done that in years. The mainspring may be a bit weak but I forgot what kind of motor is in the 202. For sure I do need to replace the carry-handle. Otherwise it's coming out all right.