Fixing the FAKE soundbox 

Thanks 😀 👍. I do find it fascinating that gramophones are still being made. I also find it interesting that despite having all the right parts, nobody really expects them to get used (they are sold as conversation pieces), and yet with a little work can probably play quite well. Some way to go on this one though..

My first gramophone was a fake which I knew it was when I bought it. It's gotten a lot of modifications over the years and plays as well any of my actual antiques. It probably helped that all the parts that matter are actual antiques in good working condition.

Maybe 😉. I doubt there is any real quality control on them. It's not in the video but I did manage to crumple the diaphragm slightly by straightening up the needle holder. I probably ought to take it to pieces again and bend the needle bar a bit more. It does work as it is, which at least is some success. Thanks 😀 👍

Thanks 👍 😀. Glad you are enjoying the videos! 😀. It's a good point. I have invested in a decent modern cartridge: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MXGczxwlMYc.htmlsi=LlX3jnltO3IinuRt I've also previously done some tests comparing gramophones to record players: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a1BaFVlxhII.htmlsi=t7yeQ5LVasHMlNtx ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BlesZlGhdKo.htmlsi=_us6PmD6j41gWnkN I'm currently sorting out the wiring on my BSR turntable so I can use it more easily and also make recordings from. I need to look at ways to reduce the surface noise as it is still higher than on my gramophone recordings 🤔🫤

Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, the fake soundboxes are fairly poorly put together as far as I can see, and although I managed to fix this one, I still got a bit of a crumple in the diaphragm in the end. A better pivot on the needle bar would help greatly, though. I think if there was demand, there would be better quality/adjusted versions of these machines available, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

@@mrrgstuff I agree. A couple of us in the antique phonograph club I'm in thought about getting our hands on a few of them, working them all over to better quality and selling them as "improved crapophones" but never actually followed through. Around 2003 or 04, I came across a Dutch website where someone was selling higher quality tone arms and back brackets to upgrade the fakes with but I had no luck ordering a tone arm from him.

Thanks 😀 👍

Because it's basically a copy of one. I noticed this, too, and have compared them in this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-C9FyvIl6VD4.html Thanks 😀 👍

I don't think written instructions could cover any better than what this video shows already. It's mainly just replacing the gaskets. I used craft foam and cardboard, though the original ones were just cardboard. Because I broke it when dismantling it, I also had to make a new brass end to the needle bar to fix it to the diaphragm, but this won't be necessary if you can get the central screw to come out or avoid separating the needle bar and the diaphragm in the first place

The gaskets I made out of thin card (0.35mm) and craft foam board (1.7mm). I think any thin card would work. I sealed the hole in the middle of the diaphragm with bees wax, though candle wax would have worked too. Hope that helps. Thanks 😀 👍

It's a very good point. To be fair to it, it's just copying the original Thorens design which also has this issue. Having said that I could make the gaskets much wider and the diaphragm smaller which would allow the diaphragm to be suspended entirely by the gaskets and not touch the screws 🤔. The other area I really don't like about this design is the pivot. I'm sure that could be improved and should help the sound too. It does work surprising well as it is though. Thanks 😀 👍

Thanks 😀 👍

I'm always loosing things (too much stuff) and it wastes so much time. Been meaning to find a circle cutter for a while and just happened to find this one. Too cheap not to buy! Thanks 😀 👍

Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it. The video I think was more work than the repair itself! 😅

It's T-Cut metal polish. Just happened to be what the shop I was in stocked. Works well on nickel plate too. Thanks 😀 👍

Glad you liked it. Thanks 👍 😀

It is important to change the needle. However, the main problem with fake gramophones is that they are not built to play records. The tonearm is often not the right shape or length, and the soundbox usually sits at a poor angle. The tracking weight is also usually quite high, and all these lead to poor tracking and excess record wear. You might find this video interesting: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2RIN0DZmTKw.htmlsi=ri6ZP--H1JfC3JU2 The platter also usually wobbles, which can cause record wear. It can be improved, though: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a_echDb_Hdg.htmlsi=cly6OXriM-WoQK7e Thanks 😀 👍

@@mrrgstuff Thanks. I whatched your videos before. In the next days I will own a fake gramophone. I will try to follow your indications to improve the sound and the healthy of my records. Regards.

@microbi46 Thanks 😀👍. Yes, they are fun to play with, and with a little work, they play much better than initially 😀

@@mrrgstuff sure!! Thanks for your inputs 🤗

Recently I have a little bit problem with the needle screw. It is overpassed and I need to put teflon tape to screw it. I do not know if you know what I mean. Did you have this issue? How can I solve it? Thanks

Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it

Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it

It is very shiny isn't it! 😉😅. Thanks 😀 👍