1928 Victor Orthophonic Portable VV 2-55 with Nat Shilkret El Choclo Tango, Tap Dance

[chompo7]

just got one of these on ebay and it sounds nice,my first orthophonic.

the screw with the nut above the needle screw isnt tight though,is it supposed to be?

when i turn it,it changes the volume and i dont know how to set it? any suggestions would be apreciated.im a total novice with acoustic phonos!

[sanfranphono]

@chompo7 back the screw out and tighten the nut. If you look along the needle bar, there needs to be a nice gap between the end of the screw and the needle bar. This screw is just a limiter to prevent damage to the diaphragm. If it is too far in, it will restrict the movement of the needle bar and wear records and distort sound. While you are at it, gently jerk the needle bar sideways (the long side of the soundbox) there should be no play at all in the needle bar

[sanfranphono]

@chompo7 , otherwise the ball bearings are loose and need to be rebuilt. This is standard maintenance on these orthophonic soundboxes.

Congrats to a great machine, enjoy it. And NEVER let the lid drop while the tone arm is up, or you will break the bracket.

: )

[chompo7]

@sanfranphono thank you! after i read and look more into things i will take your suggestions.have been watching all your rebuild videos for some time and learning alot.thanks again for these lessons in repair

it really helps,especially us virgins!

[zjsprout]

Carsten, a masterpiece- Thank You.  Now, go bid on every 2-55 on eBay before they're gone!

[sanfranphono]

@zjsprout have been doing that for a while ....

[Jiggys78s]

Wow! Music history and technical instruction in one video. :D

[Westtoledoguy]

I have the same machine got on Ebay ....my motor has a bad vibration when you keep it at 78 RPM for more than a min ...have any idea what I can do to fix it? I can move the speed up or down and it goes away

[sanfranphono]

@Westtoledoguy

Best to take the motor apart and clean everything.

What you can do:

The little friction leather that goes against the govenor disc: Scrape the contact area of the leather with sandpaper and put a drop of oil on it.

[Westtoledoguy]

@sanfranphono THANK YOU I will try that

[chompo7]

i love to see the way these machines are made,so cool to watch you refurbish them.