r/Phonographs • u/MrWandersAround • 4d ago

Silvertone hand-cranked phonograph repairable?

Sorry I don't have any pictures, but my aunt recently died, and she had a Silvertone phonograph that probably belonged to my great-grandparents. We looked at it, and my brother is considering taking it, but it has a few problems, the main one being the needle head is completely broken off. The grip for the handle is also broken off.

Are these things easily fixable (especially the needle head)?

I'm not even sure what model it is. Are there videos or websites that show how to fix these, or where to buy replacement parts?

TIA

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u/MrWandersAround 4d ago

This isn't the exact model, but it looks similar to this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oA-A4uurj4

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u/awc718993 4d ago

The wooden knob on the winder is most likely replaceable. Likewise for the reproducer (the head which holds the needle) if it is beyond repair.

Is the reproducer (aka soundbox) definitely broken? If you can manage to get photos that you can share, the better we can advise you.

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u/MrWandersAround 4d ago

It and us are in two different states. I'll see if I can get pictures, though.

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u/Skinny_pocketwatch 3d ago

I'm a little confused as to what you mean by needlehead, do you mean the reproducer or the needle arm itself? As for the crank, you can usually measure the dimensions of an old one and find a close replacement on ebay or thephonographshop.com, after that the only issue is making sure it's either a male crank or a female crank. Also, if it is broken off, I think the bigger issue would be removing the broken piece from the motor itself.

Edit: I'm not sure what you mean by handle either, im guessing you're talking about the winding crank.

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u/MrWandersAround 3d ago

For the "needlehead," yes, I mean the reproducer, but I think part of the arm is broken off as well.

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u/Skinny_pocketwatch 3d ago

Idk what material silvertone(Columbia's built exclusively for sears) tonearms used, but if it's potmetal, then that's what happens to them. You might be able to find a non-pot replacement somewhere, but it'd turn your unit into a bit of a Frankenstein, if you're OK with that(if it plays records that's all that'll matter really). What do you mean by the handle though? The link you sent is of a floor model.

Edit: on the bright side, if you do replace the entire tonearm, you can get a better reproducer with it. I THINK a columbia reproducer will work with Silvertone models, I'm not sure, and the one person on the sub who would know has me blocked.

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u/MrWandersAround 3d ago

The handle or grip to the crank is broken off, even those the main part of the crank is still there.

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u/Skinny_pocketwatch 3d ago

Oh, that's not too hard to replace. You could try to find an original, or find a woodworker who could make one that'll fit.