Brunswick Cortez / Panatrope Question

[JerryVan]

All,

I recently bought a very nice Brunswick Cortez off Craigslist in Metro Detroit. Unlike many phonos I find, this one needs absolutely nothing. The reproducer is brass, not pot metal, and looks totally untampered with and sounds great.

The question is, is there supposed to be a small gasket between the reproducer and the tone arm? While the fit is not bad, I would not call it "air-tight". I know these machines don't have much bass response compared to an Orthophonic, and this one is no different, but I'm wondering if a better seal might not help a bit. Also, noticed that Brunswick records sound the best on this machine. They appear to be "voiced" in such a way as to emphasize the horn's higher and mid-range capabilities while not demonstrating its lack of bass response. Victor records seem to do the opposite, which does not compliment the Cortez.

Additionally, what Brunswick label style suggests an electrical recording, akin to the Victor scroll label?

[Orthophonic]

There is, you can replace it with a piece of soft rubber tubing like goes in an Exhibition sound box. As best as I remember, it goes inside the reproducer neck and the tone arm flange butts up against it. It is sort of like an "O" ring in the neck with the edge of the tube of the tone arm against it and it will provide the "spring" when you turn on the reproducer in its bayonet fitting.

[JerryVan]

Perfect! Thank you.

[Nat]

I solved the same problem with my Decca (see below)by using rubber/silicone sealer; a little messy, but easy to clean up. The fir to the "crook" was less than airtight as well, so I put just a little silicone on it before attaching the reproducer. If a later owner doesn't like this, or if I don't - it's very easy to peal off. But the good thing is it that it's very flexible, allowing it to fit on uneven surfaces. I'm very pleased with the results.

[Henry]

I recall that others here have used teflon tape (like for plumbing connections) wrapped around the contact surface of the tone arm where the sound box connects, and reported good results.

[gramophoneshane]

Tape really isn't an option with these. They're a different set-up to a normal soundbox/tonearm. I've been wondering about improving the seal in mine too, & I think the silicone Nat suggested is probably the easiest option here.
I do agree with Jerry too, regarding the sound quality of Brunswick records played on these later Panatrope machines. Even on my little Madrid, the records & machine seem to be very well matched, and they really do sound fantastic together. I actually prefer to listen to my electric Brunswicks on my Madrid, rather than on my 202.

[barnettrp21122]

There is, you can replace it with a piece of soft rubber tubing like goes in an Exhibition sound box. As best as I remember, it goes inside the reproducer neck and the tone arm flange butts up against it. It is sort of like an "O" ring in the neck with the edge of the tube of the tone arm against it and it will provide the "spring" when you turn on the reproducer in its bayonet fitting.

I tried this method today, but found the fit too tight, even with the tubing compressed. I settled for some silicone sealer. I hope the seal isn't too hard to undo in the future.
Bob

[Henry]

Looking at the photo, I'm having a hard time understanding why you can't just take a turn or two of teflon tape around the boss on the end of the goose-neck, where the sound box connects? Or am I misreading the setup here? Sorry, I obviously don't know anything about this model phonograph.

[David Spanovich]

Looking at the photo, I'm having a hard time understanding why you can't just take a turn or two of teflon tape around the boss on the end of the goose-neck, where the sound box connects? Or am I misreading the setup here? Sorry, I obviously don't know anything about this model phonograph.

I wondered about that too. I remember that several years ago, on another forum, I mentioned using Teflon tape to ensure an airtight seal between the sound box's throat and the end of the tonearm, and was advised against it because it might leave a "sticky residue," or harm the plating. I explained that Teflon tape was not really "tape" in the conventional sense, but a micro-thin strip of Teflon that did not have a glue-based backing. It's used by plumbers to seal pipe joints.



For those who have never used it, it's flexible/stretchable, and compacts like putty, creating an airtight seal.

DS

[JohnM]

That silicone 'gum' used by telephone repairmen to seal the terminals in the phone box on the outside of the house may work well for these purposes as well, since it adheres without sticking, is inert, and fills gaps. Not sure what it's called exactly or where it can be obtained other than from a phone man. I've stolen it out of my phone box to experiment with.