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I'm interested in buying an Orthophonic in good condition. A Credenza would be nice, but the next step or 2 down in size would also be considered. I'm not really looking for a major project, I'd like something I can enjoy immediately. I'm in the Boston area and could possibly pick up in Mass., otherwise delivery would have to be arranged. Please email or PM if you have something available. Thanks!

This Orthophonic has been available for awhile on another board. Here's the link:
http://victrolagramophones.proboards.co ... hread=1138
Bob

That is indeed a lovely looking machine! Unfortunately, though, I suspect that by the time you paid for packing and shipping from Alberta to Mass. you'd more than double the cost of the thing itself. The Alvara looks similar to the VV8-12, so you might keep want to look for one of those. They're not too uncommon.

Yes, it's a beautiful machine, but as noted, I'm near Boston and it's in Alberta. I found an 8-12 on Craiglist but the seller was quite unwilling to answer any questions. (I asked exaactly where the machine was and was only provided the name of the state!) The Victor Victrola page describes the sound of an 8-12 as lacking in high frequency and "hollow" - what do others think?

There was a thread here recently on the importance of properly sealing all the joints of Orthophonic horns, as well as all connections from sound box through taper tube and into the horn throat. In brief, IIRC, clear silicone was one of the recommended sealants for the horn, and vaseline on all gaskets and joints. Of course, a properly rebuilt sound box is assumed! The air-tight sealing is said to make a huge difference in quality of sound on the Orthophonics. I believe that there were a couple of posts in praise of the 8-12's sound after sealing was done.

While I don't own an 8-12 myself, a friend of mine has one that I sealed up and had the reproducer rebuilt for, the thing sounds great, no, not as full as a Credenza, but it certainly isn't a slouch by any means! Sealing the joints in the horn with clear silicone (the kind they make for bath enclosures and such that stays rubbery works best) makes a HUGE difference, as does cleaning and re-sealing the tone arm joints properly, personally, I use plumber's grease, it lasts longer than vaseline.

Sean

I used A+D Ointment on the tuning slides of my trombones. It's a combination of lanolin and petroleum jelly. It doesn't dry out or cake up, is a wonderful lubricant, and is readily available at any drug store OTC. Great stuff for dry skin, too! I recommend it for all applications where a thick sealer/lubricant is required.