I spied this portable phonograph locally, and was wondering what brand it was, and perhaps the value of it.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
VictorVV-X
It is a well equipt phonograph with a volume control and nickel/chrome plated motorboard.Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
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- Victor II
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- gramophone-georg
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
I believe it's a "PAL", made by Plaza. Does it have the little built in brush on the soundbox?
Most of these were offered as higher end department store brand phonos. Think Macy's. I've had several of these and they are fantastic, well built little machines!
Here's one in the case style all of mine have had:
Most of these were offered as higher end department store brand phonos. Think Macy's. I've had several of these and they are fantastic, well built little machines!
Here's one in the case style all of mine have had:
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek
I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar
I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar
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- Victor II
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
gramophone-george, I didn't see a brush on the soundbox, I haven't seen it in person, yet. Apparently it works well and sounds good. What is a good price on something like this? They want $100 for it.gramophone-georg wrote:I believe it's a "PAL", made by Plaza. Does it have the little built in brush on the soundbox?
Most of these were offered as higher end department store brand phonos. Think Macy's. I've had several of these and they are fantastic, well built little machines!
Here's one in the case style all of mine have had:
Thank you very much.
VictorVV-X
- gramophone-georg
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
If it works fine and sounds good like they say I'd say it's worth it, but if there are any "Aw, Craps" beyond the case with the way it runs or sounds I'd offer less, maybe $60.VictorVV-X wrote:gramophone-george, I didn't see a brush on the soundbox, I haven't seen it in person, yet. Apparently it works well and sounds good. What is a good price on something like this? They want $100 for it.gramophone-georg wrote:I believe it's a "PAL", made by Plaza. Does it have the little built in brush on the soundbox?
Most of these were offered as higher end department store brand phonos. Think Macy's. I've had several of these and they are fantastic, well built little machines!
Here's one in the case style all of mine have had:
Thank you very much.
VictorVV-X
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek
I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar
I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar
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- Victor II
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
gramophone-george, thank you very much. I really appreciate it.gramophone-georg wrote:If it works fine and sounds good like they say I'd say it's worth it, but if there are any "Aw, Craps" beyond the case with the way it runs or sounds I'd offer less, maybe $60.VictorVV-X wrote:gramophone-george, I didn't see a brush on the soundbox, I haven't seen it in person, yet. Apparently it works well and sounds good. What is a good price on something like this? They want $100 for it.gramophone-georg wrote:I believe it's a "PAL", made by Plaza. Does it have the little built in brush on the soundbox?
Most of these were offered as higher end department store brand phonos. Think Macy's. I've had several of these and they are fantastic, well built little machines!
Here's one in the case style all of mine have had:
Thank you very much.
VictorVV-X
VictorVV-X
- De Soto Frank
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
Something to consider...
This style of portable phonograph is of the "plywood & leatherette" variety, common in the 1930's & '40s.
Examples in good condition can be viable, enjoyable players.
But, if you're spending upwards of $100, you might consider looking for a Victrola 2-55 or 2-65, which are metal-bodied covered with padded leatherette, and are equipped with an Orthophonic sound-box.
They incorporate Victor's legendary bullet-proof build quality, and if you get one in good condition, cleaned and serviced, you will not wear it out.
I'm not trying to steer you away from the PAL, just suggesting that if the price is high, there are better machines for the money.
Good luck !
This style of portable phonograph is of the "plywood & leatherette" variety, common in the 1930's & '40s.
Examples in good condition can be viable, enjoyable players.
But, if you're spending upwards of $100, you might consider looking for a Victrola 2-55 or 2-65, which are metal-bodied covered with padded leatherette, and are equipped with an Orthophonic sound-box.
They incorporate Victor's legendary bullet-proof build quality, and if you get one in good condition, cleaned and serviced, you will not wear it out.
I'm not trying to steer you away from the PAL, just suggesting that if the price is high, there are better machines for the money.
Good luck !
De Soto Frank
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
De Soto Frank, thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.De Soto Frank wrote:Something to consider...
This style of portable phonograph is of the "plywood & leatherette" variety, common in the 1930's & '40s.
Examples in good condition can be viable, enjoyable players.
But, if you're spending upwards of $100, you might consider looking for a Victrola 2-55 or 2-65, which are metal-bodied covered with padded leatherette, and are equipped with an Orthophonic sound-box.
They incorporate Victor's legendary bullet-proof build quality, and if you get one in good condition, cleaned and serviced, you will not wear it out.
I'm not trying to steer you away from the PAL, just suggesting that if the price is high, there are better machines for the money.
Good luck !
I'm the type of collector that likes to find items as I look; I rarely look for a specific type or model. Even condition wise, I buy accordingly to what I find at the time. I will give this phonograph some thought, though, and see if I can talk the seller down at all.
Thank you again for your advice, I really do appreciate it. I am still new to phonographs, having collecting mainly typewriters for many years, so this greatly helps me and keeps my feet grounded.
VictorVV-X
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
On an aesthetic level the chrome plated motor board gives this some punch- looks might outweigh performance
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- Victor V
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
I have one, which I've posted about on this and other forums -- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=16985estott wrote:On an aesthetic level the chrome plated motor board gives this some punch- looks might outweigh performance
The performance compares well with most of the high quality portables of the late 1920s/early 1930s. This gives a pretty good indication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJi4rv9_A5A
The sound box, motor, etc. were supplied by Paillard. The horn, itself, is metal and is the same length and has about the same taper as the one used on the Victor 2-55 portable. As with the 2-55, it's soldered to the underside of the motor-board, which is plated metal.
Judging from the YouTube videos I've seen, the the exact same chrome-plated (Paillard) components were installed in a number of branded portables, such as Pal and (US) Decca, in addition to quite a few "unbranded" models, such as the one I own.
OrthoFan
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Re: Unknown brand of a portable phonograph
Yes, exactly. These perform on par with Orthophonic and Viva Tonal portables without the issues. The mechanisms and reproducers are extremely well built. The chrome motor board and works are quite stunning.OrthoFan wrote:I have one, which I've posted about on this and other forums -- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=16985estott wrote:On an aesthetic level the chrome plated motor board gives this some punch- looks might outweigh performance
The performance compares well with most of the high quality portables of the late 1920s/early 1930s. This gives a pretty good indication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJi4rv9_A5A
The sound box, motor, etc. were supplied by Paillard. The horn, itself, is metal and is the same length and has about the same taper as the one used on the Victor 2-55 portable. As with the 2-55, it's soldered to the underside of the motor-board, which is plated metal.
Judging from the YouTube videos I've seen, the the exact same chrome-plated (Paillard) components were installed in a number of branded portables, such as Pal and (US) Decca, in addition to quite a few "unbranded" models, such as the one I own.
OrthoFan
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek
I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar
I got PTSD from Peter F's avatar