WTB old usable Victor turntable felt

[penman]

Here's a strange request (OK maybe not so strange) I'd like to replace some of the kelly green felt on a few of my early 7" Victor turntables with something a bit more aged. If anyone has some old usable felt laying around let me know by PM, thanks.

[New Owner]

Why? If it's in good shape, then there's no need for "older" felt, especially if it's original. You know the saying: if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[OrthoSean]

I think penman is referring to replacing newer felt with older (more original) felt. The newer stuff is kelly green.

Sean

[penman]

That's correct OrthoSean. Everyone has a different point of view on originality and appearance. My preference is ideally to be all original and just needing a cleaning, etc. Personally I don't like it when an item has been refinished to look brand new, plating stripped off, and re-plated, etc. looking better than when it left the factory (unless it was found that way), although I understand that's not everyones view. The extreme of this I think is represented by that show American Restoration. By the time he's done with something, there's nothing original left on it. So from my point I'd rather replace nice clean new Kelly Green felt with good to not too ratty looking (very subjective) faded green original Victor felt. Yea I know that it's technically not original either but I like the look better. Of course I could just leave the turntable out in the sun here in AZ, and in a matter of months it would no longer be kelly green (I might just try that).

[OrthoSean]

I totally agree with you!!

Sean

[phonogfp]

Me too!

I've even decided against buying machines on a couple of occasions because the felt had been replaced with new. As long as it's not too ratty, I'll always prefer old felt. A small hole or two, even a needle run looks better to me than the new stuff.

George P.

[gramophone78]

Me three......

[need4art]

Well if the idea is to make the new fabric look the right color and older rather then newer...take a half dozen green tea bags and ten oz of water, boil the water and let the tea bags sit for 2o min. or so. Take new fabric and put it in mixture-flat tin works best and put it in the oven at 250 degrees for 30 minutes or so-make sure mixture does not dry out and do not rub fabric. Take out and lightly wash in sink with hot water. Blot dry between towels and let surface dry flat. Take another piece of felt, place face down over this one and iron. You might have to experiment a bit, this may answer how a new painting can be made to look old-just one of a bunch of tricks.

You can make it look older and lighter or darker and a bit stained by sprinkling either rotten stone or pumice on it and rubbing with another piece of felt.

Abe

[phonogfp]

Abe,

Thanks for the tips, but it's not just the color. Much of the new felt I've seen also has a linear pattern - sort of an X and a Y axis - that isn't encountered with the old felt.

George P.

[briankeith]

I always use EBay member "cyber_tigger" for my turntable felt. It is already die-cut to the correct size with the center hole, and the colors and feel are very close to the original. Plus I hate cutting turntable felt, so I pay extra for his die-cut pieces. Lots of sizes and colors to match your phonograph. I think he does not charge for shipping either (?)