V-M 1210 " Takes a lickin', keeps on tickin' "

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I started on another of my players, a 1957 Phonola 856.

When I removed the V-M 1210 changer, and stood it up
on the work table, I saw the trip link hanging out of
the slide.

Dang. (actually stronger term used)

After I got the slide off, I removed the trip link, and
saw it had been mangled by someone forcing the
mechanism.

(photo of normal vs bent up trip link)

Today, I finished the servicing changer, and put in a spare
trip link.
The V-M 1210 works like a good clock.
No damage to those steel parts anywhere.

V-M 1200s are truly workhorses of their era.

[TC Chris]

There is much to be said for durability and repairability. Sadly, not enough of us are saying it and we live in a throw-away world.

Chris Campbell

[William]

Mr. Mogul. Would you please provide a photo of the Phonola you are working on, I am curious what it looks like. When I Googled the model number it brought up a couple of different photos for the 856 model number.

Thank you,
Bill

[stbasil]

Along those lines, Mr mogul, I've always wondered what happens to the mechanism if the tonearm is locked on its resting post and the changer cycle is started, I've not wanted to try that, of course! Would that do the trip link damage that you found?

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

1. Bill, here's the Phonola 856.

The 3 tube amp is almost exactly the same
as the Firestone 4-A-146 and Sears 4249
that I have posted about.

2. StBasil, no, the tonearm will be pushed up and
off its rest, even when pressed down on the clip.

I've forgotten to release tonearms on many 1200 V-M's
and never had the arm stay on the rest.

It's quite a reminder when it happens !

3. Chris, yes, I think we all enjoy restoring these hi-fi's
and passing them on, or enjoying them at home.

[electra225]

I think you could hold the tone arm down on a VM changer with a chain and not hurt it. I have a GE stereo that, about half the time, I fire it up and hit "reject" with the tone arm clipped down to its rest. It jumps up then just completes its cycle. Like you say, it gets your attention. Never have hurt the changer. You could probably drop one off a building and you could fix it. A VM changer is one of the toughest devices ever built.....

[William]

Thanks, Mr. Mogul. Neither of the photos that were provided on Mr. Google when I typed in Phonola model 856 where what you pictured in your photo. One was a nice looking portable stereo and the other was a small manual portable.

As far as durability, and going a step farther with what Greg stated, "dropping one off a building." That statement was used back in the early 50's relating to Hammond organs and dropping them off a building and the fact that they would still play. Another quality built American item that was built to last. What ever happened to that!!!

Bill