Early?? Victor Exhibition Soundbox

[penman]

I recently picked up what appears to be a very early Exhibition soundbox (long throat model), but I've never seen one put together this way. I'll post some photos tomorrow. The back is perfectly flat and stamped 2354, and has the locating pin. The needle arm does not screw to the diaphragm, instead it had a small round flat "foot" that is pressed against it. The mica does not have a hole in it. It looks correct and old. The gasket was obviously changed at some point but 2 gaskets were used because it looks like it took a double thick gasket. I'm really not sure what I have here. It all looks legit and the serial number is real low. Any thoughts appreciated.

[OrthoSean]

I seem to remember some of the earliest ones were just cemented / glued to the diaphragm.

Sean

[gramophone78]

As some of you know the Johnson "New Century" is the reproducer that turned into the exhibition.

[penman]

Here are some photos. It looks like the gasket should be the size of the new Century one, and the back is essentially the same.

George

[gramophone78]

The gasket on a "NC" is the same as a exhibition. It looks to me like just a long throat "ex". A "NC" is a one piece body. IMO, the black disc on the needle bar is a later repair & addition.

[penman]

I'm not saying this is an NC, just probably an early Exhibition. As to the disc on the needle bar, looking at it under magnification with a jewelers loupe it does not appear to have been repaired and is seamless and one piece. It would seem like a lot of trouble to repair this way instead of just using another needle bar. Just my opinion.

George

[penman]

Another clue that the disc is likely not a repair is the fact that the needle bar itself is a little longer than the other long throat bars I have, which makes sense since the foot screw is normally centered on the mica not the bar foot. On this one the foot itself is centered and the bar is about 1.5 mm longer to compensate.

George

[OrthoSean]

George,

I think yours is an original, I know I've seen one of these before with no screw attaching the needle bar to the mica, but I can't recall where. I bet George Paul can shed some light here as well, so I'm going to wait for him to chime in...

Sean

[gramophone78]

George, I think that is so cool. I have never seen one with the disc. However,based on what you wrote.....I must be a very early one. If this helps......the needle bar on a "NC" is also just "waxed" onto the mica.

[penman]

The best part of this soundbox though is the way it sounds, and that (at least for me) is great I think it's the best sounding of all my Exhibitions, and I also do like the early stuff, in both phonographs and pens!

George