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Rec.antiques.radio+phono Phono Spares and Services(FAQ: 2/9)

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Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.2
Archive-name: antiques/radio+phono/faq/part2

See reader questions & answers on this topic! - Help others by sharing your knowledge
 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.
 
 ---------------------------------------------------------------
 
 

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