REPAIR PRICES
Motor Cleaning
Although phonographs are well built and have been working for years, the years are hard on the machinery. Over the years the gears and oil harden, becoming a sticky, dirt filled, grinding black mess on the motor. This wears the motor down and hinders it’s performance. To send your motor to us, remove the motor from your phonograph. To do this, pull off the turntable, and remove the crank. Take out the corner screws of the motor board and lift it out of the phonograph. The motor will still be attached to the board. If you need help, give us a call and we can walk you through the processes. Send the motor to our shop with the board, we will dismantle and clean the motor, frame and gears in solvent and scrub out all the old grease and dirt. Then, we will re-assemble, re-lubricate and test the machine.
It is very important that the motor be sent to us still mounted to your board. If the motor is sent without the board, we can’t correctly test for speed variations or the other usual problems that motors have before being serviced. If the motor is sent by itself, then we’ll test it to the best of our abilities. If there are further problems that arise from not sending the motor on the board, then the cost of shipping and/or additional parts may be charged to the customer.
Although phonographs are well built and have been working for years, the years are hard on the machinery. Over the years the gears and oil harden, becoming a sticky, dirt filled, grinding black mess on the motor. This wears the motor down and hinders it’s performance. To send your motor to us, remove the motor from your phonograph. To do this, pull off the turntable, and remove the crank. Take out the corner screws of the motor board and lift it out of the phonograph. The motor will still be attached to the board. If you need help, give us a call and we can walk you through the processes. Send the motor to our shop with the board, we will dismantle and clean the motor, frame and gears in solvent and scrub out all the old grease and dirt. Then, we will re-assemble, re-lubricate and test the machine.
It is very important that the motor be sent to us still mounted to your board. If the motor is sent without the board, we can’t correctly test for speed variations or the other usual problems that motors have before being serviced. If the motor is sent by itself, then we’ll test it to the best of our abilities. If there are further problems that arise from not sending the motor on the board, then the cost of shipping and/or additional parts may be charged to the customer.
- Full Motor Cleaning: $120 – $135 – Cost depends on how dirty the motor is. Complete strip down of the entire motor including the frame, gears and all associated parts. Mainspring labor is charged separately since the number of mainsprings vary from motor to motor.
- Mechanical Cleaning: $85 – $95 – Cost depends on how dirty the motor is. Strip down of the motor, gears and all associated parts. Does not include the frame. Mainspring labor is charged separately since the number of mainsprings vary from motor to motor.
- Motor Adjustments Only: $45 – This is the process of tearing the motor apart to access the main springs, putting it back together and adjusting the gears, testing and setting the motor speed if no motor cleaning is desired. If you have the motor cleaned, then there would be no motor adjustment charge.
- Cylinder Players Top works: $70 – Complete cleaning of all the top works gears, mandrel, bushings adjustments, etc.
* * Please note: The motor cleaning is a basic price for cleaning the motor. Servicing/lubrication of the mainsprings is extra.
Please see the description and the costs above if you have any questions.
The motor cleaning service includes the motor and top metal pieces on your board. We’ll clean the motor and re-assemble it onto the board. We’ll also clean and brush/polish the metal parts on the board (brake, speed control, etc.). Gold plated items will be cleaned and brushed/polished at our discretion. Gold parts are hard to work with due to the thinness of the plating and the usual wear marks found. The Cylinder machine service includes the motor and top works gears and a “light” cleaning of the bedplate. The bedplate restoration/full cleaning or repainting/decaling is an additional charge.
Click Motor Cleaning Process to see details on our motor cleaning process.
For information on Edison bedplate restoration, please see our Edison restoration page.
Please see the description and the costs above if you have any questions.
The motor cleaning service includes the motor and top metal pieces on your board. We’ll clean the motor and re-assemble it onto the board. We’ll also clean and brush/polish the metal parts on the board (brake, speed control, etc.). Gold plated items will be cleaned and brushed/polished at our discretion. Gold parts are hard to work with due to the thinness of the plating and the usual wear marks found. The Cylinder machine service includes the motor and top works gears and a “light” cleaning of the bedplate. The bedplate restoration/full cleaning or repainting/decaling is an additional charge.
Click Motor Cleaning Process to see details on our motor cleaning process.
For information on Edison bedplate restoration, please see our Edison restoration page.
Mainspring Cleanings
Springs come two ways: broken or very dirty. If the springs do wind up or they make a loud thumping noise when unwinding, then this means they are covered with petrified grease and sliding in your canisters. We can remove the springs from your canisters and clean the springs. During this process, we also clean the inside of the canister and re-install the springs with fresh grease. Most motors have 2 springs but may have 1, 3, 4, or 6. We’ll let you know what’s needed and how many springs you have when we do the free estimate on your motor.
NOTE: If you elect to only send the spring canisters, we may not be able to test to assure that the center arbors are connected properly without your motor to test and wind them with. We cannot possibly have all of the 1000’s of possible motor styles complete and ready to test springs with. Should there be a spring that needs to be returned due to this problem, the shipping costs would be the responsibility of the customer and will need to send the motor on the board anyway for proper testing. The difference in shipping cost is minimal between sending the entire motor and just the springs as the bulk of the weight is in the springs anyway. Also, we can look the motor over to be sure that all is well.
Price: $45 per spring – unless noted otherwise below
$50 per spring – Edison Diamond Disk/Edison Triumph Phonograph springs
(The cleaning of the spring barrel is included in this price)
New Mainsprings
If your motor doesn’t wind up, more than likely your mainspring(s) are broken. Usually one spring breaks at a time but it is possible that all the springs are broken. When servicing a broken spring, the spring is removed from the barrel and the barrel is cleaned. We install the new spring(s) with fresh grease and test the springs to make sure everything is hooked properly. It’s not recommended to try removing the spring barrels on your own. If you’re uncomfortable with handling the motor or have no experience, it’s highly recommended to send the entire motor to us. While we have the motor, we can also clean it for you at the cost quoted in the Motor Cleaning section above. We can also test everything to make sure your machine is playing at it’s potential.
Pricing: New Springs- $50 to $70 each plus an installation fee
The cost of the spring depends on the size you need and the “cut” of the spring
*** Installation fee of new/used springs- $42 per spring in addition to the cost of the spring.
Springs come two ways: broken or very dirty. If the springs do wind up or they make a loud thumping noise when unwinding, then this means they are covered with petrified grease and sliding in your canisters. We can remove the springs from your canisters and clean the springs. During this process, we also clean the inside of the canister and re-install the springs with fresh grease. Most motors have 2 springs but may have 1, 3, 4, or 6. We’ll let you know what’s needed and how many springs you have when we do the free estimate on your motor.
NOTE: If you elect to only send the spring canisters, we may not be able to test to assure that the center arbors are connected properly without your motor to test and wind them with. We cannot possibly have all of the 1000’s of possible motor styles complete and ready to test springs with. Should there be a spring that needs to be returned due to this problem, the shipping costs would be the responsibility of the customer and will need to send the motor on the board anyway for proper testing. The difference in shipping cost is minimal between sending the entire motor and just the springs as the bulk of the weight is in the springs anyway. Also, we can look the motor over to be sure that all is well.
Price: $45 per spring – unless noted otherwise below
$50 per spring – Edison Diamond Disk/Edison Triumph Phonograph springs
(The cleaning of the spring barrel is included in this price)
New Mainsprings
If your motor doesn’t wind up, more than likely your mainspring(s) are broken. Usually one spring breaks at a time but it is possible that all the springs are broken. When servicing a broken spring, the spring is removed from the barrel and the barrel is cleaned. We install the new spring(s) with fresh grease and test the springs to make sure everything is hooked properly. It’s not recommended to try removing the spring barrels on your own. If you’re uncomfortable with handling the motor or have no experience, it’s highly recommended to send the entire motor to us. While we have the motor, we can also clean it for you at the cost quoted in the Motor Cleaning section above. We can also test everything to make sure your machine is playing at it’s potential.
Pricing: New Springs- $50 to $70 each plus an installation fee
The cost of the spring depends on the size you need and the “cut” of the spring
*** Installation fee of new/used springs- $42 per spring in addition to the cost of the spring.
Reproducer Rebuild
After 80-100 years, your reproducer has lost it’s original sounds and tone. There are rubber gaskets inside that have hardened producing a harsh, tinny sound. If you are going to restore your phonograph, this service is a must! Send your reproducer to us, we will dismantle, thoroughly clean, inspect it for damage and replace the hard gaskets with soft new ones. Then it will be re-assembled, adjusted and tested. If the diaphragm is damaged or missing, it can be replaced or repaired (extra). You won’t believe the difference. Give us a call if you are unsure how to remove the reproducer from the tone arm.
Price: $58 including the rubber gaskets. Other additional needed parts are extra.
Additional parts (if needed) other than the gaskets are extra and will be quoted during estimate.
** NOTE: Brunswick reproducers with “double sides” (Ultonas) are subject to 2 reproducer rebuild fees.
Click Reproducer Rebuild Process to see details on our reproducer rebuild process.
After 80-100 years, your reproducer has lost it’s original sounds and tone. There are rubber gaskets inside that have hardened producing a harsh, tinny sound. If you are going to restore your phonograph, this service is a must! Send your reproducer to us, we will dismantle, thoroughly clean, inspect it for damage and replace the hard gaskets with soft new ones. Then it will be re-assembled, adjusted and tested. If the diaphragm is damaged or missing, it can be replaced or repaired (extra). You won’t believe the difference. Give us a call if you are unsure how to remove the reproducer from the tone arm.
Price: $58 including the rubber gaskets. Other additional needed parts are extra.
Additional parts (if needed) other than the gaskets are extra and will be quoted during estimate.
** NOTE: Brunswick reproducers with “double sides” (Ultonas) are subject to 2 reproducer rebuild fees.
Click Reproducer Rebuild Process to see details on our reproducer rebuild process.
Governor Repair
The governor controls the speed of the phonograph. It is the part in the motor that has round weights on it (2, 3 or 4). If your phonograph plays too fast or uneven, chances are the governor needs new springs. Remove the entire governor by taking out the screws on each side of it, releasing the bearings that hold it (We don’t encourage taking the governor out without consulting with us first. It could be dangerous to take the governor out with wind still in the spring barrels unless you know what you are doing. You should leave it to a professional to do it). Take it out as one unit and ship it to us. We will replace all the springs, clean and adjust it. All of the springs must be replaced at the same time or uneven speed of the turntable will result.
Price: $25 for labor & $3 per spring needed (2 to 4) & $7 to $12 per weight needed (prices vary with size)
The governor controls the speed of the phonograph. It is the part in the motor that has round weights on it (2, 3 or 4). If your phonograph plays too fast or uneven, chances are the governor needs new springs. Remove the entire governor by taking out the screws on each side of it, releasing the bearings that hold it (We don’t encourage taking the governor out without consulting with us first. It could be dangerous to take the governor out with wind still in the spring barrels unless you know what you are doing. You should leave it to a professional to do it). Take it out as one unit and ship it to us. We will replace all the springs, clean and adjust it. All of the springs must be replaced at the same time or uneven speed of the turntable will result.
Price: $25 for labor & $3 per spring needed (2 to 4) & $7 to $12 per weight needed (prices vary with size)
White Metal Repairs
White metal was used for many parts (tonearms, tonearm bases, reproducers, brackets, etc.). It was inexpensive to use but of poor quality. Now many of these parts have swollen, cracked and split. Sometimes the only answer is to replace the part entirely. We have a technique that works well on white metal unless it is too far gone. We use a metal bonding agent in combination with steel reinforcement strips. White metal is tricky to work with, not all parts are repairable and some cracks may still be visible after the repair, but it will be functional again. Send parts in question to us and we will determine if repair or replacement is the best option.
DISCLAIMER: Due to the nature of pot metal parts, we cannot be responsible for replacement of the parts sent in if breaking occurs during the repair work.
Price: Labor fees per hour plus materials.
White metal was used for many parts (tonearms, tonearm bases, reproducers, brackets, etc.). It was inexpensive to use but of poor quality. Now many of these parts have swollen, cracked and split. Sometimes the only answer is to replace the part entirely. We have a technique that works well on white metal unless it is too far gone. We use a metal bonding agent in combination with steel reinforcement strips. White metal is tricky to work with, not all parts are repairable and some cracks may still be visible after the repair, but it will be functional again. Send parts in question to us and we will determine if repair or replacement is the best option.
DISCLAIMER: Due to the nature of pot metal parts, we cannot be responsible for replacement of the parts sent in if breaking occurs during the repair work.
Price: Labor fees per hour plus materials.
Nickel/Gold Plating Services
Is your plating on your phonograph's metal parts worn away or peeling?
We do quality electroplating for most phonograph parts, no large horns please.
What gets done?
When a worn/plating damaged part comes in, it needs to be stripped of all the old plating/debris and the part brought back down to the original base metal. Then it is polished to a high shine to get it ready for the plating tank. The parts must then be boiled in a detergent bath to get off all residue for a good electrical contact in the electrolyte tank. Then they are plated in the tank, removed and polished on a wheel to get a good luster. We offer both nickel and 22kt gold plating.
Getting an Estimate
To give you an estimate of cost, please email us pictures of the parts you need plated.
Cost will vary depending on condition and type of base metal that it is.
We will be able to provide you a good quote without you even having to send it in.
Is your plating on your phonograph's metal parts worn away or peeling?
We do quality electroplating for most phonograph parts, no large horns please.
What gets done?
When a worn/plating damaged part comes in, it needs to be stripped of all the old plating/debris and the part brought back down to the original base metal. Then it is polished to a high shine to get it ready for the plating tank. The parts must then be boiled in a detergent bath to get off all residue for a good electrical contact in the electrolyte tank. Then they are plated in the tank, removed and polished on a wheel to get a good luster. We offer both nickel and 22kt gold plating.
Getting an Estimate
To give you an estimate of cost, please email us pictures of the parts you need plated.
Cost will vary depending on condition and type of base metal that it is.
We will be able to provide you a good quote without you even having to send it in.
Cabinet Restoration/Deep Cleaning
Victrola Repair Service offers cabinet restoration/ deep cleaning for table top phonographs, both cylinder and flat disc style. Many cabinets just need a deep cleaning and spruce up to save an original finish and saves costs too. We use several different cleaners and allow them to soften up and clean the old finish which in many cases will make the cabinet look so much better!
We can also do light cabinet repairs and some veneer repairs for tabletop phonographs. We can strip, refinish and stain to bring the old shine back up with several coats of the 3lb white or orange shellac if needed. If there is extensive woodwork needed or if the whole machine needs veneer work, then we would suggest a furniture repair service that is familiar with restoring antique cabinets.
Please note that we only provide our deep cleaning service for floor models or very light touch up work. Anything needing full restoration/stripping should go to a furniture repair/refinishing shop. We can do the motor/reproducer repairs if that work is sent here while your local woodworker/refinisher is working on your cabinet. This also avoids high shipping costs associated with sending a large floor model.
Getting an Estimate
For an estimate, the best thing to do would be to email us some pictures of your cabinet from several different angles and we can let you know an approximate of the cost and what work we think would need to be done.
Victrola Repair Service offers cabinet restoration/ deep cleaning for table top phonographs, both cylinder and flat disc style. Many cabinets just need a deep cleaning and spruce up to save an original finish and saves costs too. We use several different cleaners and allow them to soften up and clean the old finish which in many cases will make the cabinet look so much better!
We can also do light cabinet repairs and some veneer repairs for tabletop phonographs. We can strip, refinish and stain to bring the old shine back up with several coats of the 3lb white or orange shellac if needed. If there is extensive woodwork needed or if the whole machine needs veneer work, then we would suggest a furniture repair service that is familiar with restoring antique cabinets.
Please note that we only provide our deep cleaning service for floor models or very light touch up work. Anything needing full restoration/stripping should go to a furniture repair/refinishing shop. We can do the motor/reproducer repairs if that work is sent here while your local woodworker/refinisher is working on your cabinet. This also avoids high shipping costs associated with sending a large floor model.
Getting an Estimate
For an estimate, the best thing to do would be to email us some pictures of your cabinet from several different angles and we can let you know an approximate of the cost and what work we think would need to be done.
Turntable Felt
Nothing brightens up an antique phonograph more than replacing a worn out, torn or dirty old turntable felt with a clean new one. If your original felt is still good, it may be a good idea to purchase some felt to lay over the original one. It’ll still look good and at the same time, it’ll preserve your original felt longer.
Polyester: Green, russet orange, medium mustard yellow and chocolate brown (other colors can be ordered if needed)
Price: $4 per square OR $8 cut to fit your turntable OR $22 cut and installed on your turntable ($10 for the circle felt and $12 for installation)
Wool: Grassy Meadows Green. Wool was the original material used when turntables were felted at the factory
Price: $6 per square OR $10 cut to fit your turntable OR $22 cut and installed on your turntable ($10 for the circle felt and $12 for installation)
Nothing brightens up an antique phonograph more than replacing a worn out, torn or dirty old turntable felt with a clean new one. If your original felt is still good, it may be a good idea to purchase some felt to lay over the original one. It’ll still look good and at the same time, it’ll preserve your original felt longer.
Polyester: Green, russet orange, medium mustard yellow and chocolate brown (other colors can be ordered if needed)
Price: $4 per square OR $8 cut to fit your turntable OR $22 cut and installed on your turntable ($10 for the circle felt and $12 for installation)
Wool: Grassy Meadows Green. Wool was the original material used when turntables were felted at the factory
Price: $6 per square OR $10 cut to fit your turntable OR $22 cut and installed on your turntable ($10 for the circle felt and $12 for installation)
Late Payment Fees
Please note that all repairs must be paid for within 30 days of completion. Our repair staff will notify you of the balance due when the job is complete. We accept credit cards and checks. If payment is not paid after 30 days, the job will be subject to a storage fee of $10 per day after 30 days. If there is a reason you cannot pay the amount due in the allotted time, please contact us before 30 days and we may be able to work with you. Thank you for your cooperation and your business. We look forward to serving you now and in the future.
Please note that all repairs must be paid for within 30 days of completion. Our repair staff will notify you of the balance due when the job is complete. We accept credit cards and checks. If payment is not paid after 30 days, the job will be subject to a storage fee of $10 per day after 30 days. If there is a reason you cannot pay the amount due in the allotted time, please contact us before 30 days and we may be able to work with you. Thank you for your cooperation and your business. We look forward to serving you now and in the future.
If you have any questions about any of our services,
please feel free to call us (800-239-4188) or email us at [email protected].
please feel free to call us (800-239-4188) or email us at [email protected].
