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Featured Phonograph No. 119 Expert Minor Gramophone

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 11:26 am
by Garret
Make: Expert
Model: Minor
Serial #: N/A- case not marked
Year(s) Made: 1930-1932
Number Produced: unknown
Original Cost (1930): £20
Case/Cabinet Size: Cabinet 11 ¾" H x 17 ½" D x 23 ¼" W
Turntable/Mandrel: 12 inch turntable
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Expert two-spring
Motor: two spring Paillard GGR 255
Horn Dimensions: 18" in diameter at the bell
Reproduction Parts: none
Current Value: $2,500-3,000
Interesting Facts: This particular example was located in Charlotte, North Carolina about two years ago and has been completely restored. While the cabinet is not marked as an Expert, it bears the same unique feet that can be found on page 54 of Frank James's The EMG Story. Everything points this to being an Expert Minor. This particular example sounds quite nice, and was an amazing find, to say the least.

Video link: https://youtu.be/F_J8BpqmRqk(absence of bass due to microphone)

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Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 1:08 pm
by Damfino59
That came out nice! Patience has its rewards.

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 1:13 pm
by Valecnik
BRAVO!!!

Beautiful sounding too! I bet in an enclosed room it's amazing.

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 5:40 pm
by Orchorsol
A very nice find Garret, well done. The case looks in remarkably fine condition.

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 6:02 pm
by emgcr
Well done Garret---a very fine effort and the case in particular looks fabulous. It is definitely an Expert Minor with the tonearm appearing from the back of the deckboard. I hope you will have many happy listening hours in the years ahead.

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 7:26 pm
by Frankia
Garret,
Congratulations on such a superb restoration job. It looks beautiful, and orchestral records really test Expert and EMG gramophones. It does a great job for the smallest of the Expert siblings.

Am I right in thinking that you were searching for a source for springs for the Paillard motor a good while back? Could I ask where you eventually found a maker? I'm now interested myself.
Best Wishes.

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2015 8:59 pm
by Garret
Frankia wrote:Garret,
Congratulations on such a superb restoration job. It looks beautiful, and orchestral records really test Expert and EMG gramophones. It does a great job for the smallest of the Expert siblings.

Am I right in thinking that you were searching for a source for springs for the Paillard motor a good while back? Could I ask where you eventually found a maker? I'm now interested myself.
Best Wishes.
Frankia,

After about a year of searching, I found the Musée Baud, which was able to make the replacement springs for me. Send me an email, garret.girmus@gmail.com, and I can send you the details.

Garret

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119 Expert Minor Gramophone

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2015 5:28 pm
by snallast
Thankyou for posting this extremely unusual find and excellent restoration! What a great-sounding machine! I had expected more "minor" but it seems the difference between the minor and the junior is not so big! Or for that matter the "big Papa"...

Congratulations!!

Re: Featured Phonograph No. 119 Expert Minor Gramophone

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 8:32 am
by Garret
This wonderful machine is now available for sale on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151892145602

Thank you kindly for your consideration!

Garret