Academy Phonograph

[edisonphonographs]

Hello all,

The first phonograph I started out with is this English phonograph called Academy. I know that they are a cheaper machine so the quality is never going to be great, but I have noticed a huge drop in quality of the sound of singers over the last 3 years. Instruments and some vocal ranges still sound good.

I thought that maybe the gasket needed to be replaced, but after examination it still looks very good. I took it a a phonograph guy here in Houston, and he said that the problem was that the pot metel has swelled to the point where the two screws on the part where I have drawn arrows are no longer long enough to hold it properly without too much vibration.
I am attaching pictures.
Any thoughts on what the best course would be? I haven't been able to find any replacement screws that are the correct length and diameter.
Another possibility is to replace the reproducer with a Victrola one that would match up with it?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

[matty]

Personally, I'd be looking for a replacement soundbox. Chances are if you find longer screws, the pot metal will continue to swell & you'll be back where you started in a year or two.
The HMV no.4 is a mica diaphragm s/b, but performs well on electric & acoustic records. They come in either all brass, or a brass front & pot metal back, but they don't crumble or swell like the Victor No.4, so they won't loose their adjustment.
If you want to stick to an aluminium diaphagm, both Goldring & Paillard made some quality soundboxes with brass bodies that sound great too.

[neophone]

Edisonphonographs,

As Matty says, just look for a new reproducer. It's hard to tell from the photo-is that a bayonet mount? If the issue is the screw mounts have spread apart due to swelling you might try simply filing down to outboard sides of them.

Regards,
J.

[steve432]

I agree that the best solution would be to find a replacement on Ebay or ask www.fonograf.com for one. They do turn up fairly frequently.

In the meantime, I'd get a suitable Victor replacement to enjoy the machine (you might even wish to keep it that way once an Academy replacement box has been found for retaining the originality of the machine? IOW keep it with the machine but not to use)

[edisonphonographs]

Thanks for the input, I believe I will get a Victor reproducer.
As far as everyone can tell from the pictures i posted, a Victor will match up correctly without any modification?

Thanks,

Eric

[matty]

It should do. Most soundboxes are interchangable with the exception of a lot of Columbia soundboxes, and the later HMV/Victor Ortho's which had a larger diameter tonearm.
A Victor exhibition or No.2 should slip straight on.

[maroongem]

The only concern would be the location of the bayonet slot at the end of the tone arm on your machine in relation to the position of the lug on the sound box for the correct needle angle.

Bill