Hi Barry ~ Yes, certainly, there has been plenty of opportunity in 80 some years for the reproducer to have been changed, as I'm sure countless have on every type of phonograph device. In attempting to locate information that documentation that details the reproducer features, I hope to be able to either confirm that this reproducer is original to the piano or learn that it isn't. As for my sense that it probably is original, this is based partly on the way in which the reproducer fits the arm (it has a convenient to use thumbscrew that aligns properly with the slots on the tone arm, to enable lateral or vertical play), and partly on my intuitive take on the instrument as a whole. Sometimes, in the absence of definite information, you get a sense of these things that generally turns out to be right when further research sheds more light. I'll keep you posted on whatever I find out. Best, Andy On Jan 2, 2008, at 4:17 PM, Barry Kasindorf wrote: > 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 >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Phono-L mailing list >>>>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> No virus found in this incoming message. >>>>> Checked by AVG Free Edition. >>>>> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1204 - Release >>>>> Date: 12/31/2007 12:20 PM >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________________ >>>>> Phono-L mailing list >>>>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Phono-L mailing list >>>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Phono-L mailing list >>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org >> _______________________________________________ >> Phono-L mailing list >> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org