Early Victor Talking Machine Exhibition Reproducer Lever Type Round Hole Rebuilt

Description

SCARCE VICTOR EXHIBITION NICKEL PLATED REPRODUCER
SPRING LOADED LEVER TYPE ROUND HOLE NEEDLE CHUCK
for the VICTOR TALKING MACHINE & VICTROLA
Very Early Serial Number 51547
Fully Serviced ~ Sound Box ~ Very Good Plating
includes 300 LOUD TONE NEEDLES
You are purchasing a very scarce Victor Talking Machine Exhibition Soundbox-Reproducer that features a spring loaded lever action needle chuck. It is suitable for most Victor Talking Machines and Victrolas and is especially desirable for machines made prior to about 1905-11. It is in very nice overall condition and works exactly as it should. Please take your time and study the information presented here and feel free to ask questions.
The nickel plating is original and in very good condition.  Most reproducers of this early vintage typically have a lot of wear and nickle loss. This one is much nicer than most you will see. The black finish of the rear casting and the lettering on the face are excellent with only very light wear. The diaphragm, diaphragm gaskets and rubber isolator flange have been replaced with accurately made reproduction parts that work perfectly. The balance springs are the early style (see pictures) and work perfectly. The balance spring screws and early style knurled nuts are also original and it great condition.
THE REPAIR WORK: The needle chuck of this reproducer was damaged when I received this in the shop. The lever and spring were missing. This is shown in the pictures. The entire needle chuck was removed from the fulcrum bar and then fully disassembled so that we could fabricate a new lever arm. Notice the retaining pin that we removed. This is a press-fit part and not very easy to work on. When assembled, this pin interlocks in a groove that is machined near the end of the lever. It allows the lever to rotate while also retaining it. Notice also the quarter-round groove that is ground into the side of the lever. This groove functions as a cam of sorts. It will allow the needle to be inserted in one orientation and then rotate under spring tension to bind the needle and hold it in the chuck. Just as with all other reproducers that use this type of spring loaded lever this one is pretty much limited to using loud tone needles. The needle bore is .0625" in diameter and the minimum size needle that the chuck is capable of securely retaining is about .055" to .056". Most loud tone needles measure about .057" to .0625" in diameter. This limitation is simply part of the original design and undoubtedly one of the reasons that Victor only reproduced this type of Exhibition for a very limited time. That is what makes them so scarce nowadays.
Note that the Exhibition flange is ISOLATED from the back of the reproducer.
This is a NEW and carefully designed part that we produce in our shop.
The rubber that we use is a synthetic compound with a durometer of approximately 35A
which is very soft and supple just like the original. A durometer higher than 35A to 40A is too hard. Why?
Because the original gum rubber isolators were soft like this.
This reproducer looks and sounds great and I trust you will be delighted with it! It is the perfect reproducer for your Victor Talking machine or almost any floor or table model Victrola. If you have an old reproducer that buzzes like an angry hornet, or has old gaskets, a cracked diaphragm, or broken balance springs then you need me to rebuild it or trade it in on this one! All work is guaranteed for one full year.
People often ask me whether they should replace an existing reproducer that they already have with one that I am selling. My preference as a collector is to keep original machines and their components together as much as possible and I recommend that advice to you also. But depending on how badly damaged your current reproducer is it might make good sense to replace it. As an example, compare the price of replacing your reproducer with the cost of me rebuilding it for you. Since I only charge about for a typical rebuild which includes complete disassembly, cleaning, polishing, new diaphragm gaskets, a diaphragm if it is required, a tone arm mounting flange/gasket, and balance springs if they are needed, it may not make sense. But if your reproducer is severely rusted or damaged with broken screws, or it is so badly oxidized that it requires plating, then it could wind up costing more to repair than replacing with one I have listed.
The Victor No.2, Exhibition and No.4 can be used in the place of each other. They are suitable for most Victor Talking Machines and Victrolas with the exception of the Orthophonics. They can also be used with many other brands of phonographs. This reproducer would be the perfect touch for your VV-IV, VI, VIII, IX, X, XI, XIV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, VTLA and so on. This is also perfect for the 200, 300 and 400 series consoles.
The reproducer featured in this listing is as finely serviced as the very best available and I guarantee my work. Many of the reproducers and sound boxes offered on eBay, despite claims by sellers stating that their items have been professionally rebuilt, are sometimes a collection of cobbled together parts, some of which are being sold with old damaged parts. Always ask questions and study. I promise you that the quality of the workmanship of our services is among the very best available.
I have been collecting and servicing antique phonographs, radios, and other mechanical antiques for over 45 years. I operate my shop on a full time basis, so if you need advice, parts or help with a broken motor, missing knob, damaged reproducer, damaged cabinet finish, etc., please feel free ask questions. Many very skilled people have shared their knowledge with me over the years to help me to become an accurate and proficient phonograph conservator. Sharing knowledge and information is part of helping this, and future, generations of owners and collectors. If you have questions about the processes I use to service phonographs, please feel free to ask questions. I always guarantee my work because customers deserve such assurance. The quality of my work comes from the constant study of actual antique phonographs as well as from historical documents. If you always look at history for help, you will always find the best possible answers for any problems you encounter.