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Post by armadillo on Jan 21, 2012 11:04:20 GMT -6
Good day everybody !
While being in Cairo, Egypt, for work I finally got myself an old crank 78 rpm. She is portable, apparently made in the old URSS, looks all original and sounds.... well... she sounds.... but my kids are quite disappointed by the lack of clear sound. As I have gladly read here, I guess some improvements can be made.
I,ll try to post some pics and may be you folks can tell me something about our new friend.
Fair winds and following seas !
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Post by armadillo on Jan 21, 2012 11:08:40 GMT -6
picture 1
i do keep trying posting the pics: 1- I choose file, 2- Host it. However nothing happens.
Do I do anything wrong ?
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Post by eckster on Jan 21, 2012 11:29:17 GMT -6
your picture must not have gone through
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Post by armadillo on Jan 21, 2012 13:13:28 GMT -6
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Post by eckster on Jan 21, 2012 19:16:45 GMT -6
there are ways to post it right click on image code
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Post by eckster on Jan 21, 2012 19:40:28 GMT -6
Basically what you have is a russianized H.M.V. 102 c. These machines were built in England for foreign countries. Russia from 1932- 1958 were not allowed to have portable music devices. They introduced some of these in 1931 many ended up being destroyed. these were the red army models. In about 1958 to 1960 some were introduced back to russia. They used a number 15 columbia reproducer. Your third image has the 3 cover screws missing from the reproducer. someone probably tried to fix it with no luck. That is probably why you dont get full sound out of it. the aluminum membrane probably slipped past the gaskets and is touching the housing due to the missing screws. Hopefully the cover isnt glued on by the sticking gaskets or someone that glued it on. If you decide to remove it the membrane is fragile Diaphragm i should say. it will break easy. a good reproducer on these machines should sound loud and clear. H.M.V.102 c built by victor out of england were one of the best portables ever built. Production ceased in 1960 for the 102 c.
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Post by eckster on Jan 21, 2012 20:02:20 GMT -6
And its a viva tonal reproducer. I have away to revive them. Dont throw it out. No matter how bad it looks.
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Post by armadillo on Jan 22, 2012 2:25:21 GMT -6
Hi eckster,
thanks for your reply and feed back. I see you also got a similar machine and have seen with my kids your video in youtube and well... your machine sounds great. I hope after some work I can make ours sound better it sounds now.
I forgot to say that did pay about 120 u.s.d. for my machine in an antique shop in Cairo. It was the only machine I did see in Cairo which was or looked "all original" therefore quite more expensive than other machines but for some reason I fell for the one I got and now I,d love to take care of it and make it sound fine because , I guess like some of you, I was after a phonograph for quite some years.
Please let me know what can I do to fix it.
P.D. a comment from my son: Hello eckster my name is Rumi i like our gramophone because is very cool
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Post by eckster on Jan 22, 2012 19:15:15 GMT -6
Its not a bad price to pay for a portable like that. First, Try and remove the reproducer or sound box. Since the 3 screws are missing you have to hold the whole housing. Gently and i mean gently see if you can rotate it to the left until it stops DO NOT FORCE. Once it stops gently pull back until it comes off Again DO NOT FORCE. Now observe. If you see while pulling back that the rubber seal is staying on the tone arm and not removing with the reproducer Stop immediately. Gently push it back in. Rotate it to the right and then left again a few times. until not so stiff. Make sure that the rubber seal turns with the reproducer. If the steps above fail or dont work or if its just too tight. Remove the tonearm where it goes into the machine basically where it swivels. Now There are 3 big screws and 3 small screws. Only remove the 3 BIG screws. You remove the small ones Well you will release the 8 small ball bearings that swivel the unit and they are hard to find if you lose them. Once the tonearm is off. Get some machine oil face the reproducer facing down on a cloth or soft foam and put a bit of oil where the rubber seal goes into the tone arm on the reproducer. The reason why i discuss this step because i dont know the full condition of your machine. Some people just dive in there then all of a sudden problems occur. Rubber swells hardens and ossifies brute force could even break metal especially if its pot metal. Allow the oil to soak for a while and then work it gently. Haste makes waste. its best to do everything gradually and properly especially if its your first machine. I will leave you with this for now. Please keep me posted. I will take you through the next steps. I will reply dont worry my machine is basically identical to yours
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Post by eckster on Jan 22, 2012 19:19:01 GMT -6
The reproducer has a pin it fits into an L shaped slot. You may just want to google up victor victrola tonearms on ebay or craigslist just to see what they look like that L shaped slot. It doesnt have to be an identical tonearm. it just gives you an idea how the reproducer fits on the end. With the 3 screws missing cease from playing records. A) there is no airtight seal probably between the gaskets and the diaphragm reducing sound quality dramatically. B) The reproducer could come apart by vibrations and cause damage to were the needle bar connects to the diaphragm.
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Post by armadillo on Jan 25, 2012 9:11:50 GMT -6
Hi Eckster, thank you for your very illustrative information I have removed the reproducer without any effort, in fact it was a bit loose: imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/dsc00198wi.jpg/Now I,m going to follow the next steps. However, to be honest, I do worry a bit. What happens if i do something wrong ? Can I find parts to fix it ? Thanks
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Post by eckster on Jan 25, 2012 22:09:24 GMT -6
I may have spotted the problem by the last picture. I just hope that isnt a big glob of solder looking through the mounting flange. let me know. Dont attempt to take the reproducer apart its just an inspection for now.
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Post by eckster on Jan 28, 2012 21:45:31 GMT -6
What you should do is go to a hardware store. Take the reproducer with you. Aquire 3 slotted countersink screws with the same thread and headsize as the holes. you may have to slightly screw one in to see if it turns freely. they may have to be adjusted for size if they are too long. A set of small screw drivers. The ones you would use for tightening glasses or servicing watches or clocks they come in a kit of 7 or 8 different sizes (cheap). Go to an automotive parts supplier. and get a set of ignition wrenches (these are small) make sure they fit the small nuts on the reproducer. What we can do for now is just install the missing screws and do some adjustments and inspection to see if we can get it sounding better. Post me when you are ready and then we can go to the next steps. see if you can get countersink screws that are slightly rounded at the top not flat topIf not, flat top will suffice.
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Post by eckster on Feb 2, 2012 23:22:24 GMT -6
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Post by armadillo on Feb 4, 2012 9:50:22 GMT -6
THE REPRODUCER: I have followed your directions and here i send you some pictures of the results : As you can see the inside of the reproducer is a bit of a mess. Please let me know what can I do to fix it.
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