Zonophone Tone Arm...

[ticticdok]

Hey Folks... New to the site and great to be with fellow collectors! I have this Zonophone and trying to determine more about it. I am in need of a tone arm and a reproducer for it. Does anyone have any idea where I might locate one?

This phonograph had a victor model II metal tag over the zonophone decal on the front of the machine. I take it, that it was just added later on by someone. Any ideas??

Thanks!
John

[epigramophone]

A picture showing the whole of your machine might help to identify it, but this is what a typical Zonophone soundbox looks like :

[ticticdok]

Here is a picture of the complete machine...

[epigramophone]

The case, back bracket and witch's hat horn suggest a "New Zonophone Gibson No.1" of about 1905-1908.

On your example the one piece tonearm appears to have been crudely modified with addition of a gooseneck from a later model.

The book "His Master's Gramophone" ISBN 978-0-9567771-0-2, a review of which has been posted elsewhere on this forum, includes a chapter on British Zonophone machines from 1905 to 1924.

UK eBay may be your best source for the parts you need, but meanwhile you could consider having this thread moved to the UK Trader section, where it is more likely to be viewed by those able to help.

[Curt A]

The tonearm you need for the Zonophone is a one piece tapering arm with a 90 degree bend at the end to accommodate the reproducer. Someone has taken part of a Victor tonearm and fastened it to yours, which creates an odd arrangement. Originally, the tapering arm lowers the reproducer from the back mount and now it also lowers from the additional elbow. Everything from the back mount to the reproducer is wrong and needs to be scrapped.

Check with George Vollema and see if he has the tonearm. His email is: victrola(at)triton(dot)net

A Victor Exhibition will fit it, if you can't find a Zono reproducer.
Curt

[rizbone]

Here is a picture with the correct tone arm. An exhibition reproducer will fit if you replace the back flange with a rubber washer cut to size.

[ticticdok]

Thanks for the help. I will take the advice! Everyone is a great help. John