I love to see these restored to origional form. I hate that when people turn them into bookcases or other things. Too much good wood is available to be destroying one to have a bookcase.
I came across one of these at an Antique store the other day. It was Brunswick Victrola. The tag said it still worked and the asking price was $699.00. I started looking into the use and maintenance of these players so maybe one day I can own one. I must be an old soul because I find these lovely and fascinating.
I have a 1911 Sonora Phonograph still works have the lock key an about 250 different style original needles an about 1200 records would this be worth something
I got one for free today…. I found one on Craigslist, and it had a price, but the lady gave it to me. It had been in her family since her parents first bought it decades and decades ago, and she clearly has such fond memories growing up with it. It bring to tears to my eyes that she just gave it to me. I’m going to do some restoration, then share it with her.
When you rotate the sound box for lateral playing, it is for Pathe discs. Edison Diamond Disks needed a special sapphire ball stylus. If your sound is distorted, it could be that the rubber gaskets on the sound box have deteriorated or have become fossilized. The sound box will need to be rebuilt. It's not that difficult to do yourself. You can wind your phonograph until it starts to get tight. Have you looked at the motor? How many spring barrels does it have? When were they last greased? It's a messy job, so I always send them out. I have a 4 spring Credenza Victrola, which I did pay a lot for, but I was looking for one for a long time and finally found one near me that could be picked up. You would probably like it. Do more on antique phonographs please. I have an entire room full of them, which I love to play and really love to hear other people talk about them.
Could you play some Jefferson Airplane? (Just kidding.) The sound on this is pretty good!!! I just bought a VV 4-4. I guess that plays both Electronic records and Acoustic. I'm waiting for the crank to show up in the mail.
Nice player. I am going to use fibre needles for my electric records. so it will wear less. Also fibre needles can be resharpened with a special pair of scissors. I use a soft tone needle for my electric records so that it vibrates the diaphragm less and I have had good results with pretty much no wear. I still tend to use my Orthaphonic reproducer for my electrics because it actually produces amazing results in the low and high frequency range it almost produces bass. :)
Also check your community chat page I left you a message for something I am planning on in the future and I will make a video about it when I get a chance :)
As far as needles are concerned: regular steel needles should be replaced for each play. Some needles, like the Victor 'Tungs-Tone', were capable of multiple plays; but they can be hard on records which are not in pristine condition. Fibre (bamboo) and thorn needles tend to be kinder to records, although not as loud; and they have the virtue of being able to be re-pointed, with the right tools. Generally, records from the late '30s onwards were made of softer shellac, without the abrasive fillers that shaped the needle to fit the groove: these do not fare as well with a heavy acoustic reproducer.
Why you calling it a phonograph? Thomas Alva Edison phonograph was cylindrical! Emile Berliner was Gramophone and was flat discs! Which the latter you are using! I wish I could get an authentic gramophone myself for my records!
Hi. I have just purchased a vintage phonograph/ gramophone (not sure how to distinguish!) myself from the 1950’s. I am a total beginner so was wondering what records I could play on these exactly - I have a strong feeling they only play 78’s! And I’ve just gone and bought a load of 33’s - silly me! Does this mean I can only purchase records from antique stores to play? A reply would be a great help!!
One thing to note about electrically recorded records is that orthophonic reproducers from later were specifically designed to be able to play electrically recorded records without damaging the diaphragm but you should be more careful with later records from the 1950s and whatnot because they're made of softer materials so having a steel needle and such heavy tracking force could be a problem there for the record itself. With your old gramophone I would agree with your point but once you get into the later stuff like an HMV 101 and 102 which have orthophonic reproducers, you should be pretty safe in regards to electric playback as long as it's the older harder shellac.
Thanks. I have on of these that belonged to my grandparents. I spent many a day as child listening to all the old standards.The spring is broken in mine but I am thinking of getting it repaired and loaning it to a nursing home where thinks like this are a comfort to those with dementia. I have many old records that will play on it.
Just inherited one. Its in beautiful condition. Thanks for the information on operation and use. My only issue is location and a stand to place it upon.
If the coil snaps I'm told it's a terrible job to fit a new one.especially if it springs back out mid fit and hits you in the face.it can cause serious damage. Owned many gramophone players including a lovely German dulceola from the 20s.sadly no longer own it now.might get another one on the strength of seeing this.fab show
RECORD-OLOGY I do not play the 78's that have a lead-in----or lead-out groove. These will mostly have the electrically recorded groove that can be damaged.
We were cleaning out my FIL’s house and found a beautiful old one with the huge horn that was covered up by a ratty blanket. I was shocked but I love it!
I have a roshell . I just got it. It plays but the needle jumps back towards the right. So it's skipping constant, I've tried more than one record and needles. 🤷♀️ I just got it. With orig manual, unpacking directions. Little sack of hundreds of orig needle packs. It cost $100 new. ,it's in good condition, well cared for. I paid $60 dollars and got many records inc par o ket. Pretty cool..but the skipping 😞 I'm using rishell records to try it. It also has the vertical ability.
Mine is from 1918 but the needle is on the opposite side, it’s like it plays record backwards. Do you know why? I would appreciate help. If you want I could email you pictures for more context.
Mine keeps getting too fast and when I try to slow it down, it slows too much and the record stops completely because of the friction with the stylus. Help please!
@@Recordology ahh I see, it’s because I saw ones like those in a charity shop (thrift store) and I noticed they where quite small. Thank you for confirming that for me ( btw your videos are great and very good for learning about vinyl records) 👍👍
Considering the age of the available 78rpm records, I advise that instead of using steel needles , that you use cactus needles. They are softer on the disk and prevent the scratchy sound of the needle pressing on the disk surface.
I have a James K Polk crank phonograph. When I got it it played perfect older records. My daughter decided to play a new record and after that the toner arm with diaphragm seems to weigh down the record and make the turn table stop? Do you know why and how to fix? Thank you for any help.
I didn't know you had to replace the needles every so often. I just got my sonora phonograph box like this. Sadly mine has no crank or the skeleton key for the cabinet at the bottom. Mine needs some tlc but it works. I hope I can find a crank level
Hey! So I'm definitely interested in one of these machines. Would it be possible to get any ordinary gramophone that has that style of arm equipped for both hill and dale as well as typical 78 play? I'm hoping to just get one machine for the normal 78s but can also play the Edison and Pathe records but could just switch out needles if I needed to.
Hey I have one of these and I have an issue I was wondering if maybe you could help it seems like it would be a simple fix if you could reach back out to me that would be amazing.
Yes I was wondering I have acquired one and when you hit the big cabinet got record places on both sides of the playing of the turntable in the funnel and when you open the lid it says broadcaster life voices can you give me any information on that what is it I mean what brand name or anything or is that the brand name and I don't want to mess anything up but I would love to play it
There were SO MANY brands back in the day. Most were just furniture manufacturers who added off the shelf phonograph components. I am no expert - I would suggest Google and joining some antique phonograph groups on FaceBook. Lots of knowledge there.
I had a friend who’d rotate the needle about 1/4 of a turn When worn untill he wore it out completely. Is that good or not please.? Who can fix broken springs please.? Thank you.
My daughter's friend just bought a working Brunswick model 200 with a patent date of 1920 for $15 at a yard sale along with two large albums records. 😃😁 The case shows signs of weathering and some rust on the crank, and other common wear and tear. But it runs really well mechanically. But the swivel of the tone arm is slightly stiff even after considerable oiling and rinsing out the bearings with thin oil. I cannot access the bottom bearing except for pouring clean oil in and getting dirty oil out along with some agitation or movement of the bearings. I have learned how to take the motor out and plan to lubricate that separately. I spent nearly 20 years working on antique clocks and feel that I can work on this with some certainty of success. But I am looking for suggestion 10 tips. Also looking for a tonearm rest. Do you have suggestions on finding or making one? What is a good material to make one out of, wood, rubber, cork, vintage looking plastic? The seatboard or whatever it's called in a phonograph is already badly scratched from the needle.
