[Phono-L] Melville-Clark reproducer ring inquiry

Barry Kasindorf barry at barrykasindorf.com
Wed Jan 2 07:17:27 PST 2008


Yes,
George is the most likely person to have what you need. If your is 
original that would be good to have a picture. BTW just because the 
machine is in good shape and the reproducer there is potmetal doesn't 
necessarily mean it is original, it might be but some failed a long time 
ago and were replaced by other potmetal reproducers and some never fail, 
it is a crap shoot.
-Barry


Andrew Baron wrote:
> Thanks, Barry for this feedback.  Based on the overall condition of this 
> Apollophone, I'd say that the reproducer is probably original.  The 
> original finish is superb and the plated parts are original and equally 
> well preserved.  The reproducer is potmetal, but only the tiniest of 
> hairline cracks is showing through the plating.  Otherwise it's 
> excellent.  It would be good to find some kind of operation manual that 
> covers phonograph operation.  If the odd jeweled needle set screw is 
> described, that would most likely point to this reproducer being original.
> 
> I can email you photos of it, once I've taken some, if you'd like.
> 
> Andy
> 
> 
> On Jan 2, 2008, at 3:01 AM, Barry Kasindorf wrote:
> 
>> I also have the Appollophone but from what I was told the original 
>> reproducer was potmetal and was usually replaced. I think mine has a 
>> Silvertone with it.
>> -Barry
>>
>>
>> Andrew Baron wrote:
>>> Will do.  I'll need to charge up my camera batteries and hope to 
>>> email a few photos directly to you within the next day or so.
>>> Thanks for responding.  In the short term, do you have a sense of how 
>>> common or scarce the needle set screw with the embedded stylus is?
>>> Best,
>>> Andy
>>> On Jan 1, 2008, at 6:29 PM, George wrote:
>>>> Can you supply me pictures of the reproducer Andy?
>>>> George
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: Andrew Baron
>>>> To: Antique Phonograph List
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2008 6:18 AM
>>>> Subject: [Phono-L] Melville-Clark reproducer ring inquiry
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Hello all and Happy New Year ~
>>>>
>>>> On behalf of a close friend of mine, I'm searching for a diaphragm
>>>> retaining ring for the reproducer on his Melville-Clark Apollo player
>>>> piano/ phonograph.  The reproducer is in fine condition, but is
>>>> missing the diaphragm, gaskets and threaded retaining ring.  I can
>>>> easily help him with the diaphragm and gaskets, but couldn't find
>>>> anything close to the retaining ring in my own parts collection.  The
>>>> ring would be slightly smaller in diameter than an Edison DD retaining
>>>> ring, and would have a slightly coarser thread.
>>>>
>>>> It's an interesting reproducer with an unusual cross bar arrangement,
>>>> and still has its original needle set screw (thumb screw) which has a
>>>> conical jewel stylus mounted in its center, for playing Edison records
>>>> (I assume), when the tone arm is repositioned for hill and dale
>>>> reproduction.
>>>>
>>>> Any help at all with the retaining ring or letting me know whether
>>>> this reproducer is common to other phonographs would be sincerely
>>>> appreciated.  The platter appears to be Columbia, but the reproducer
>>>> doesn't resemble any Columbia reproducer that I've seen.  The piano
>>>> itself is quite a lovely piece, very original and well preserved, and
>>>> with the nicely engineered spring motor in place of a conventional
>>>> wind motor, to turn the piano rolls or the phonograph, according to
>>>> the selector lever.  The spring is silently ratchet-wound by pumping
>>>> the foot pedals, and appears to have an adjustable clutch to prevent
>>>> winding too tightly.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance for any help or insight with the reproducer ring.
>>>> Andy Baron
>>>> Santa Fe, NM
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