phonographic tone arms, ensemble
Date: circa 1961
Inventory Number: WJ0262e
Classification: Tone Arm
Subject:
Maker: Psycho-Acoustic Laboratory, Harvard University (1940 - 1962)
Maker: Western Electric Company (1881 - 1995)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
16.5 × 39 × 7.5 cm (6 1/2 × 15 3/8 × 2 15/16 in.)
DescriptionThis ensemble of tone arms was used in research on acoustics. Though the PAL was founded during WWII, this ensemble here was most likely used during the early years of the 1960s, as the date on some of these instruments shows. This ensemble is composed of several parts:
(a) is a reproducer with needle made in metal. It is stored in a case lined with silk and velvet. The model is 9A. It could be inserted at the end of a tone arm, such as the one described in (e).
(b) is identical to (a).
(c) is similar to (f), without the base. The reproducer holder is empty and identical to (i) and (h).
(d) is another articulated tone arm, without its base (though it could have been fixed on (g). There is a triangular stand with three holes to fix the arm, which can move up and down. A small red glass bead and light bulb were used as an indicator of some sort. The arm is marked thus: OEMsr 658 PAL / 11349. It also bears another mark, in red: 76-B-881 / Tr-H[U]-[2]/7/61.
(e) is another type of articulated arm weighted at the back. It is fixed to a base. The reproducers (a) and (b) could be added to the end of the arm, so it was provided with a needle. It has a green crackle finish. It is marked in red: 76-B-764 / Tr-HU-2/7/61.
(f) is an articulated tone arm set on a steel base finished in black crackle. The arm can pivot horizontally and move up and down. The needle at the end can also in and out of position owing to a small curved handle. There are two bubble levels on the base. A two-prong plug provided electricity to the arm. The arm is marked with the following inscription: PAL N5ori-76 12033 A.
(g) is a support for a tone arm. It is finished in black crackle. Three holes on the circular part were used to fix the arm. A rail was used to limit the motion of the arm horizontally. The arm was supported by a holder when not in use. Embossed on the support: 712-A. It is also marked thus: OEMsr 658 PAL / 1086[9?]. It also bears another mark, in red: 76-B-881 / Tr-HU-2/7/61.
(h) and (i) are reproducer holders made of aluminum, unused and without needle.
(j) is identical to (e), without the mount. It is marked in red: 76-B-764 [and] Tr-HU-2/7/61.
(a) is a reproducer with needle made in metal. It is stored in a case lined with silk and velvet. The model is 9A. It could be inserted at the end of a tone arm, such as the one described in (e).
(b) is identical to (a).
(c) is similar to (f), without the base. The reproducer holder is empty and identical to (i) and (h).
(d) is another articulated tone arm, without its base (though it could have been fixed on (g). There is a triangular stand with three holes to fix the arm, which can move up and down. A small red glass bead and light bulb were used as an indicator of some sort. The arm is marked thus: OEMsr 658 PAL / 11349. It also bears another mark, in red: 76-B-881 / Tr-H[U]-[2]/7/61.
(e) is another type of articulated arm weighted at the back. It is fixed to a base. The reproducers (a) and (b) could be added to the end of the arm, so it was provided with a needle. It has a green crackle finish. It is marked in red: 76-B-764 / Tr-HU-2/7/61.
(f) is an articulated tone arm set on a steel base finished in black crackle. The arm can pivot horizontally and move up and down. The needle at the end can also in and out of position owing to a small curved handle. There are two bubble levels on the base. A two-prong plug provided electricity to the arm. The arm is marked with the following inscription: PAL N5ori-76 12033 A.
(g) is a support for a tone arm. It is finished in black crackle. Three holes on the circular part were used to fix the arm. A rail was used to limit the motion of the arm horizontally. The arm was supported by a holder when not in use. Embossed on the support: 712-A. It is also marked thus: OEMsr 658 PAL / 1086[9?]. It also bears another mark, in red: 76-B-881 / Tr-HU-2/7/61.
(h) and (i) are reproducer holders made of aluminum, unused and without needle.
(j) is identical to (e), without the mount. It is marked in red: 76-B-764 [and] Tr-HU-2/7/61.
Signedmarked on a few objects: PAL
on reproducers and their cases: Western Electric
on reproducers and their cases: Western Electric
ProvenancePsycho-Acoustic Laboratory , Harvard University.