HMV 160

[Egg_Chaser]

Obtained one of these locally and it's a bit of a mess cosmetically, in fact a lot of a mess.
Wrong soundbox and no gaskets at all.
But apart from that it's fine.

For starters, does anyone know what sort of wood is involved?

[Phono48]

According to the "His Master's Gramophone" book, the 160 was made in either oak or mahogany, from December 1922, to November 1925.

[Egg_Chaser]

Thanks for that.

It's what I call a long term project and what "her ladyship" calls 'The mess in the box room'.

[epigramophone]

The correct soundbox for this model is the HMV No.2, but many machines of this era were later updated by their owners with a No.4.

This is easier to find than the No.2, especially on UK ebay, and will produce a better sound. If you can source an early brass backed example (the later ones are pot metal) it will be less difficult to dismantle for gasket replacement.

[Egg_Chaser]

It came with a "Songster" soundbox bodged on with a piece of aluminium(?) pipe. The diaphragm is ripped and patched with tape, it has a cut & bent wood screw inserted to keep a needle in place... Really classy "repairs", not.

Had a spare Columbia soundbox which fits, so I was able to "test" it. I find it quite quiet, even allowing for the bodges, will a mica soundbox address this to a degree?

[Egg_Chaser]

Is there a good source of information on these, preferably online?

Because this one has been so poorly maintained I'm not sure what's wrong or right with it.

[Phono48]

It would be great to see some photos of this machine, so we can all make sympathetic noises!

[Egg_Chaser]

Okay... It looks a bit like this, excuse my messy box room & the phone photo!

[Phono48]

I've seen worse! Nice machine, well worth restoring. Thanks for the photo.

[Daithi]

I have one of these in oak. The tonearm is different, a later type I think, more sinuous. The design around the Nipper Logo is absent also. And it has an HMV#4 soundbox. Otherwise it looks the same.