Mystery Silvertone Tru-Phonics Phonograph

[KristinH]

Good morning! I recently acquired a Silvertone Tru-Phonics Phonograph (that works fabulously) but I cannot seem to find any information on it on the entire internet. I've performed a reverse image search, joined Reddit just to see if anyone can help me (no one could), searched through archival records, eBay, and I dived into the old Sears and Roebuck catalogs from 1903-1940 (some years I could not locate) I suspect it's late 1920's-early 1930's. It's pretty banged up, so I have some work to do. I know the tonearm is not original and I would like to find a replacement eventually but I'd need to know what I'm looking for first. Any help at all would be much appreciated!!

[BenL]

Welcome to the forum, @KristinH

 

You are correct; it's more 1920s—it's a 1928 Model 39.

 

Sears had been using Silvertone as a brand since 1916. In 1925, they introduced the 'Tru-Phonic' prefix to compete with the Victrola Orthophonic, a newly launched acoustic phonograph capable of playing electrically recorded records. (Tru-Phonic models are an over simplified version of the Orthophonic.) They handle pre-1930s 78s fairly well, but after the mid-1930s, they can start to cause excessive wear.

Your tonearm looks correct, but the reproducer I'm pretty sure isn't.

Benjamin. 

1928 Sears Catalog:(https://archive.org/details/sears-roebuck-catalog-157-fall-1928/page/694/mode/2up?q=tru-phonic)

 

 

Edited November 22, 2024 by BenL

[KristinH]

Hi Ben,

 

Thank you SO much for this, I was starting to go a bit crazy trying to find information! So if I were to go about getting a replacement reproducer, would I need to find the exact one that was intended for the Model 39, or would any from that time period and/or brand do the job?

[BenL]

10 hours ago, KristinH said:

Hi Ben,

 

Thank you SO much for this, I was starting to go a bit crazy trying to find information! So if I were to go about getting a replacement reproducer, would I need to find the exact one that was intended for the Model 39, or would any from that time period and/or brand do the job?

 

This style of Tru-Phonic uses a specific type of reproducer, though not all models use the same one. However, most of them use this particular style. I'll attach some pictures from one on eBay to give you an idea. These often pop up on eBay, but you can also check suppliers like George Vollema or Wyatt Markus. Wyatt might even have one that's already been serviced.

 

If you buy a used one, it's a good idea to have it serviced—things like replacing the tubing, oiling it, etc. After 90+ years, most rubber parts tend to dry out, which can limit the sound quality when playing records. A serviced reproducer will optimize sound quality and cause less wear on your records.

Benjamin 

 

 

eBay link: (https://www.ebay.com/itm/135388743358?_skw=silvertone+reproucer&itmmeta=01JDB1959HBW31SXZZE3H05QE4&hash=item1f85cc46be:g:LMkAAOSwwchnPU5I&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKleZWOx%2BCH6Sh32kgDj1AqTLhXPagbcAAXD9UuoNvOMcBjlmaFLjWPZ84VNU8vdhcZkGRal8s5ZqVPm4MEk%2F5RJVBtCcN9cN%2BLyfGIO%2F896VtCNtMrPohKmvRkLrMVEiqc2%2BxBgXIYRUhuCwXXDU2R3H%2B2DExbJhqo8yUl6eoQgMIW48jFyERD%2FIlM87MQZ3GfY1N1V6lE0HQ1gLQibpNeM2GAl2SyRw9EEGI%2BXBmCyseeyOLNy3ypgAkkBxw0%2BLtuh1%2FpiaMXYIvtsr6hzYhyLDHkGpQlKqIwVIFL%2BldRCNA%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR-rUpOHqZA) 

[KristinH]

Oh, ok I see- I will look into that, thank you! The arm itself seems like it needs some work too though, as the (elbow piece?) seems to keep falling off. That small threaded piece is what is holding the two larger pieces together, and I'm afraid if I clean the rust off it, that it won't hold at all...

[Dan]

Good morning,

do you think this reproducer would work ? It says Silvertone Tru-phonic, if interested  let me know we can work out a price

see pictures 

Dan

[BenL]

7 hours ago, KristinH said:

Oh, ok I see- I will look into that, thank you! The arm itself seems like it needs some work too though, as the (elbow piece?) seems to keep falling off. That small threaded piece is what is holding the two larger pieces together, and I'm afraid if I clean the rust off it, that it won't hold at all...

 

I might have the right tonearm joint. Give me some time to dig through my spare parts.

[BenL]

5 hours ago, Dan said:

Good morning,

do you think this reproducer would work ? It says Silvertone Tru-phonic, if interested  let me know we can work out a price

see pictures 

Dan

That's the first style of Tru-Phonic reproducer, used between 1925-1927. I think the slot is big enough, so it should work, but it wouldn't be accurate if you want it to be original.

Edited November 23, 2024 by BenL

[KristinH]

Since the reproducer I have isn't original either, this would at least be a step in the right direction! Do you think it would fit, since the machine itself is from 1928?

[BenL]

14 hours ago, KristinH said:

Since the reproducer I have isn't original either, this would at least be a step in the right direction! Do you think it would fit, since the machine itself is from 1928?

I'm pretty sure it'll fit, and it would be closer to what it originally had, instead of what's on it now.

I went through my spare parts and the tonearm I have is for lower end or potable Silvertone, sorry. George Vollema should have one, if it does need to be replaced. 

Edited November 24, 2024 by BenL

[Dan]

15 hours ago, KristinH said:

Since the reproducer I have isn't original either, this would at least be a step in the right direction! Do you think it would fit, since the machine itself is from 1928?

Here are few pictures with measurements 

[KristinH]

From the looks of it, it should be a good fit! Has it been serviced recently, or will it need to be?

[Dan]

I haven’t serviced it. It looks to be in good shape, it’s complete . It would clean up nicely

Dan

[KristinH]

Great! I'm not sure how this works through this forum though - how much would you want for it?

[Dan]

How does $30 including shipping sound? If so PM me and we can get contact info

Dan

[Dan]

I shipped it , sent you a message with tracking 

Thank  you 

Dan