Re: [Phono-L] Brunswick "Cortez" Questions

2018-03-27 Thread Peter Fraser via Phono-L 
Of course you must rebuild the reproducer. I have a Brunswick Panatrope 
portable from the same era. 

Its reproducer was rebuilt by the late Bob Waltrip, who was a master. That 
little machine sounds fantastic, and other than in bottom end response, it 
gives almost any full size machine a real run for its money.

I’d recommend sending yours off to Wyatt Marcus, who is extremely talented and 
reasonably priced.

Beware - the reproducer is likely pot metal, and so you might have things end 
tragically if you try to do it yourself. Wyatt is going to be your best bet on 
that front, as well. 

Good luck. I’ve not yet heard a Cortez in person, but I know people are 
extremely devoted to them. 

Sent from my iPhone

-- Peter
pjfra...@mac.com

> On Mar 27, 2018, at 7:54 PM, Immortal Performances via Phono-L 
>  wrote:
> 
> I recently obtained a Brunswick “Cortez” phonograph which I have long wanted. 
>   Have taken steps to obtain the best possible sound quality from it by 
> sealing the tone arm joints with vasoline & using putty to seal the 
> connection between the base of the tone arm to the top of the passage leading 
> to the horn but am still disappointed in the results, noticeably inferior to 
> the similar size Columbia Viva-tonal 800 & 810 & the Victrola Orthophonic 
> “Credenza” as well as the Victrola  10-50 changer. ( For playing acoustically 
> recorded records the earlier Brunswicks with the “Ultona”tone arm & soundbox 
> & much  smaller horns than the “Cortez” actually sound better than the 
> “Cortez” – in nearly all cases I find them best of all acoustic  phonographs 
> for playing acoustic records.)  
>  
> The “Cortez” horn itself appears to be in excellent condition without any 
> noticeable cracks or open  joints which might cause air leaks.   This leaves 
> only the sound box which also appears to be in excellent condition though the 
> gold plating is worn. 
>  
> Have any of you with Brunswick “Cortez” machines found that the reproduction 
> is improved by having its  sound box restored?   If so, who would you 
> recommend to undertake the restoration or is this something that can be done 
> by the local repairman?   Are appropriate gaskets, etc. available for 
> restoring a Brunswick “Cortez” soundbox?
>  
> Am still searching for the knife hinges for the front doors of the “Cortez” & 
> one missing front door knob.
>  
> Any ideas will be much appreciated.
>  
> Jim Cartwright
> IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES, INC
> “Austin’s Eclectic Used Record Store Since 1971”
> 1404 West 30th StreetAustin, Texas 78703-1402 USA
> (512) 478-9954E-mail: jimcartwri...@immortalperformances.com
>   Paderewski
>  
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Re: [Phono-L] Brunswick "Cortez" Questions

2018-03-27 Thread Ron L'Herault via Phono-L 
I have one as well.  I don't remember if I've redone it or not.  Have you
done the puff test to see if gaskets leak?  Visual inspection of the
diaphragm?   A bit of oil on the pivot system for the needle bar may help
too.

 

Ron L'Herault

 

From: Phono-L [mailto:phono-l-boun...@oldcrank.org] On Behalf Of Immortal
Performances via Phono-L
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2018 10:55 PM
To: Phono-L
Cc: Immortal Performances
Subject: [Phono-L] Brunswick "Cortez" Questions

 

I recently obtained a Brunswick "Cortez" phonograph which I have long
wanted.   Have taken steps to obtain the best possible sound quality from it
by sealing the tone arm joints with vasoline & using putty to seal the
connection between the base of the tone arm to the top of the passage
leading to the horn but am still disappointed in the results, noticeably
inferior to the similar size Columbia Viva-tonal 800 & 810 & the Victrola
Orthophonic "Credenza" as well as the Victrola  10-50 changer. ( For playing
acoustically recorded records the earlier Brunswicks with the "Ultona"tone
arm & soundbox & much  smaller horns than the "Cortez" actually sound better
than the "Cortez" - in nearly all cases I find them best of all acoustic
phonographs for playing acoustic records.)  

 

The "Cortez" horn itself appears to be in excellent condition without any
noticeable cracks or open  joints which might cause air leaks.   This leaves
only the sound box which also appears to be in excellent condition though
the gold plating is worn.  

 

Have any of you with Brunswick "Cortez" machines found that the reproduction
is improved by having its  sound box restored?   If so, who would you
recommend to undertake the restoration or is this something that can be done
by the local repairman?   Are appropriate gaskets, etc. available for
restoring a Brunswick "Cortez" soundbox?

 

Am still searching for the knife hinges for the front doors of the "Cortez"
& one missing front door knob.

 

Any ideas will be much appreciated.

 

Description: paderJim Cartwright

IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES, INC

"Austin's Eclectic Used Record Store Since 1971"

1404 West 30th StreetAustin, Texas 78703-1402 USA

(512) 478-9954E-mail: jimcartwri...@immortalperformances.com

  Paderewski

 

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[Phono-L] Brunswick "Cortez" Questions

2018-03-27 Thread Immortal Performances via Phono-L 
I recently obtained a Brunswick "Cortez" phonograph which I have long
wanted.   Have taken steps to obtain the best possible sound quality from it
by sealing the tone arm joints with vasoline & using putty to seal the
connection between the base of the tone arm to the top of the passage
leading to the horn but am still disappointed in the results, noticeably
inferior to the similar size Columbia Viva-tonal 800 & 810 & the Victrola
Orthophonic "Credenza" as well as the Victrola  10-50 changer. ( For playing
acoustically recorded records the earlier Brunswicks with the "Ultona"tone
arm & soundbox & much  smaller horns than the "Cortez" actually sound better
than the "Cortez" - in nearly all cases I find them best of all acoustic
phonographs for playing acoustic records.)  

 

The "Cortez" horn itself appears to be in excellent condition without any
noticeable cracks or open  joints which might cause air leaks.   This leaves
only the sound box which also appears to be in excellent condition though
the gold plating is worn.  

 

Have any of you with Brunswick "Cortez" machines found that the reproduction
is improved by having its  sound box restored?   If so, who would you
recommend to undertake the restoration or is this something that can be done
by the local repairman?   Are appropriate gaskets, etc. available for
restoring a Brunswick "Cortez" soundbox?

 

Am still searching for the knife hinges for the front doors of the "Cortez"
& one missing front door knob.

 

Any ideas will be much appreciated.

 

Description: paderJim Cartwright

IMMORTAL PERFORMANCES, INC

"Austin's Eclectic Used Record Store Since 1971"

1404 West 30th StreetAustin, Texas 78703-1402 USA

(512) 478-9954E-mail:  
jimcartwri...@immortalperformances.com

  Paderewski

 

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