The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all, I recently acquired a (Japanese made?) VV J2-12 gramophone (or they call it talking machine in Japan?). I read online that it was launched in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of the Japan Victor Talking Machine Company around 1936.

Have been trying to clean it up and fix the "Victor Orthophonic" sound box (which unfortunately had deformed much). Replaced one of the gasket and released the diaphragm from the sticky remaining gasket now at least the sound seems working fine although not perfect.

But there is one more serious headache, the motor will sometime bump and thump. I have taken the motor out (without removing it from the motor board) and my quick observation is that the spring barrel is riveted.

Would like to seek guidance how can I improve the bump considering that I'm unable to open the riveted spring barrel. I'm not familiar with removing the rivet and to thereafter re-rivet it or to replace with small screws are also difficult as I'm lack of tools and experience. I'm thinking if I can try to soak it in motor engine oil and see if will soothe the issue?

Thank you.

Yes, maddeningly, the spring barrel is riveted. You'll need to remove the rivets by either grinding them off or drilling them out. The spring needs to come out, (be careful, look at youtube videos for instruction), be cleaned and relubricated, then reinstalled. Small screws can be substituted for the rivets when reassembling.

You really should source a better reproducer...

I can't find this machine on the Victor Victrola page. It looks like a J1-35, but obviously, it isn't.

I don't think trying to repair the reproducer is worth the effort, and it's already pretty far gone.

I think to get rid of the rivets you'll have to drill them.

Hi JerryVan and Nakumura, I see. I will perhaps leave it be for now. Removing the rivet is quite difficult for me without the tools and experience. I will risk doing so when the condition is really bad. At least now the motor still runs smoothly and bumping is not frequent especially if I don't wind it up more than 40 rounds.

The sound box still sounds not bad though. I am actually very impressed with it. Attached below are videos, hope you will enjoy it. There seems to be slight sound of the diaphragm hitting the sound box wall while vibrating. I will need to figure out how to go about it. I also think I can get it better by replacing both gaskets can improve it (I have left one untouched now).

One thing unfortunate is that the auto brake fails to work properly. It will kick in when the needle is just half way through the record. I have lubricated it but seems in vain. Have disconnected it from the tone arm for he time being.

Thank you.

phyi9530 wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 1:30 am But there is one more serious headache, the motor will sometime bump and thump. I have taken the motor out (without removing it from the motor board) and my quick observation is that the spring barrel is riveted.

Did you try to wind it and let it run several times? In some cases I had success by doing that, eventually the sticky parts come loose and the spring unwinds in a smoother way.

You're correct, it does sound surprisingly good, given the condition of the reproducer.

I noticed in your video that the surface finish of the record is being altered as the record is playing, suggesting wear to the record surface/grooves. Are you changing the needle with every play?

Hi Carlos, yes I did wind it up for quite a number of times, but the problem persisted.

Hi Jerry, yes I did use new needle. However, I did also oil the record surface with a some sewing machine oil before playing. So the altering surface I believe is actually the change in the oil stain as the needle passing by. Such change in stain will also happen even if I use a toothpick. I have been doing so and have always encountered such change in stain surface, but I have not noticed any damage to the records so far. I have heard of people saying that oiling the surface is not good, but so far no one has provided any scientific argument/justification. If not mistaken, I think Mr John Sleep also advised the use of some WD-40 to lubricate the record on his website. Would be happy if you could also share your thought on this. Thank you!