Topic: Replica gramophone modding and restoration

[Gus Z.]

Hi! I have a cheap replica gramophone that I bought some time ago, in order to actually play records. I was aware of real and fake machines and I got this one with the intend to fix it and bring it to a quality standard. Does anyone have any information or a website that can refer me to? I found this website, but I'm looking for something more detailed: http://www.worldofgramophones.com/repair.html

I'm quite handy with fixing things. I think I could at least get it to the point it's not damaging records.

http://postimg.org/image/wxwxeasch (Click to see picture)

Also some parts like the horn connecting to the mechanism are very loose. Do you think it's a good idea to weld them?

[Stuart]

Hi Gus: I was at The Puget Sound Antique Radio Association's annual swap meet a couple of weeks ago and there were several people with restored crank 78 phonographs for sale. I'm not a member, but you could try contacting the club for some info. Here's the link:

http://www.eskimo.com/~hhagen/psara/index.html

and here's the site's links:

http://www.eskimo.com/~hhagen/psara/links.html

You could also try: http://www.78rpmcommunity.com/

if you haven't done so already.

[Gus Z.]

Thanks Stuart! I think I can find what I want. Any other suggestions are appreciated too.

[Papa Pea Vine Patton]

That looks like it could be what are called "Frankenphones" that use a mix of vintage and repro parts.

The entire horn / tonearm / reproducer assembly is reproduction.   

The thing you'd want to do is get the reproducer at the correct angle.  Many of these (for some strange reason) will have the needle pointing straight downward at the record, which is totally wrong.  And will ruin the record.

Yes, for best sound, you want the entire path from reproducer to the throat of the horn sealed and not loose or open in any way.