Newsgroups: rec.antiques.radio+phono,rec.answers,news.answers Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!eru.mt.luth.se!pumpkin.pangea.ca!www.nntp.primenet.com!nntp.primenet.com!feed1.news.erols.com!howland.erols.net!netcom.com!vancleef From: vancleef@netcom.com (Hank van Cleef) Subject: Rec.antiques.radio+phono Phono Spares and Services(FAQ: 2/9) Message-ID: Followup-To: rec.antiques.radio+phono X-Content-Currency: This FAQ changes regularly. When a saved or printed copy is over 3 months old, please obtain a new one. Keywords: FAQ OLD-RADIO OLD-PHONO Sender: vancleef@netcom6.netcom.com Supersedes: X-Posting-Frequency: posted on the 10th of each month Reply-To: vancleef@netcom.com (Hank van Cleef) Organization: Bluebonnet Firebottle Works References: Date: Sat, 19 Oct 1996 23:15:17 GMT Approved: news-answers-request@MIT.EDU Expires: Sun, 24 Nov 1996 01:15:11 GMT Lines: 131 Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.antiques.radio+phono:28607 rec.answers:24809 news.answers:84796 Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.2 Archive-name: antiques/radio+phono/faq/part2 Rec.antiques.radio+phono Frequently Asked Questions (part 2) 1.0 Oct. 20, 94 First version. This material was supplied by George Conklin (george@nccu.edu). 1.1 Dec. 12, 94 Revisions by George Conklin. 2.0 Second Version May 3,1995 This material was supplied by George Conklin (george@nccu.edu). 3.0 Third Version, March 1996. This material was supplied by George Conklin (george@nccu.edu). Part 2 - Sources of supply, services, and literature for acoustic phonos ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FAQ editor: Hank van Cleef. Please E-mail comments about comment of this section to George Conklin (george@nccu.edu) This is a regular posting of frequently-asked questions (FAQ) about antique radios and phonographs. It is intended to summarize some common questions on old home entertainment audio equipment and provide answers to these questions. The most frequently asked question so far is "Where can I buy steel needles for my Victrola?" Answer: Contact the Antique Phonograph Supply Company, Route 23, Box 123, Davenport Center, NY 13751. Phone 607-278-6218. Remember to change your needles after every play. The engineering concept was simple: the needles are softer than the record, and will wear without stressing the record. Some records had grit in the mix to wear the steel needle. Books about phonographs are written mostly by hobbyists, not engineers or academics. Below is a listing of common sources to get you going in the hobby. 1. "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric L. Reiss, Vestal Press, 1986, is the most important book for a beginner. It lists not only many models, but it tells how to oil a machine and how to make most repairs. Order from: The Antique Phonograph Supply Company, Route 23, Box 123, Davenport Center, NY 13751-0123. (607) 278-6218. Order this book first. A second edition is being advertised as available in the Summer of 1996. It is supposed to contain new material and added hints. 2. For books about Edison machines, George Frow has written the "bibles." For cylinder machines, order "Edison Cylincer Phonograph Companion." It was newly revised in 1994 and contains about all you can possibly want to know about the various models. Note: it does not discuss prices. Earlier editions of this book are found only in rare book rooms of a few libraries. The only drawback to this book are the photographs, which are small and dark. The second book by Frow covers diamond disc phonographs by Edison (the 'thick' records players): "The Edison Disc Phonographs and the Diamond Discs: A history with Illustrations), 1982. APSCO sells both. You may also contact George Frow, "Salterns," Seal Hollow Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3SH, England. 3. For Victor machines, there is also one book everyone uses called "Look for the Dog" by Robert Baumbach. A new paperback edition is out. The illustrations are good, but the discussion is more limited than what is found in Frow's books on Edison. APSO sells this book too. 4. The main 'general' book on phonographs is called "From Tinfoil to Stereo: The Acoustic Years of the Recording Industry 1877-1929" by Walter L. Welch and Leah Brodbeck Stenzel Burt. University of Flordia Press, 1994. Yes, it is somewhat scholarly and does contain some errors, as do many of the books about phonographs. Some reviewers found dozens of errors on dates. 5. Magazines about phonographs are few and far between. However, I recommend the following for the beginner in the hobby because they are readily available, appear regularly and are nicely done: A. "Victrola and 78 Journal" is a new journal and a nice mixture of articles on records and how to care for your elderly phonograph. Contact Tim Gracyk, 1509 River Oak Way, Roseville, CA 95747. Email: tgracyk@garlic.com (916) 784-1929. B. "Hillandale News" published by the City of London Phonograph and Gramophone Society. This is a nicely produced magazine. Contact Chris Hamilton, "Ardlarich", 2 Kirlands Park, Cupar, Fife KY 15 4EP England. C. "In the Groove," a monthly newsletter published by the Michigan Antique Phonograph Society. Contact John Whitacre, Editor, MAPS, 2609 Devonshire, Lansing, MI 48910. 517-482-7996. If you are looking for parts, this is the place to start. They publish resource guide and membership directory which lists about 800 phonograph collectors and about every known organization dealing with phonographs and parts in the world. This is the document to get if you want to buy parts or look for local dealers. 6. As for places to get repairs done, some members of this news group recommend you contact Dwayne Wyatt of Wyatt's Music World, PO Box 601, Lakeport, CA 707 263-5013. The catalog lists all the parts for various Edison cylider and Amberola phonographs, with a price for each and every screw, gear and so forth. Columbia Grafanola, Models AT, AZ, and Q and some Victors and Brunswicks are also listed. He sells reproduction Cygnet Horns. Also, APSO listed above does compete overhauls of old phonographs and supplies parts. The above sources are enough to get you started. They are not a complete listing of very book about Victors or Thomas Edison. They are, however, the most important pieces of information and enough to answer many (if not all) questions. For the most new information possible, get the resource guide from MAPS. ---------------------------------------------------------------