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The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:42 am
by epigramophone
Although in no way comparable to the iconic EMG and Expert, there were a few other small British firms which produced gramophones of innovative design rather than assembling them from bought in components. One of the few was Micro-Perophone with their Chromogram models.

The images which follow will be familiar to any CLPGS members who may have read my articles in the Society magazine, but now that we have the UK sub-forum I would like to make them available to a wider readership. If nothing else, they will show our international membership that there is more to the UK hobby than EMG/Expert and HMV, excellent though they are.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 6:47 am
by epigramophone
Here is a period advertisement from the Gramophone magazine, referring to the favourable review which the Chromogram received from the Expert Committee.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:00 am
by epigramophone
Here are some pictures of my Chromogram M.P.23, showing the quality of the cabinet and the distinctive crescent shaped tonearm with built in weight adjuster.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 7:52 am
by chunnybh
Thanks for the catalogue. Just wonderful.
What a simply practical counterweight. I'd love to hear this gramophone.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 9:54 am
by epigramophone
Unfortunately I have neither the equipment nor the technical knowhow to post videos, but I appreciate the efforts of those who do.

With a horn mouth about 14 inches square, the MP23 has a bright and forward sound which is greatly improved by substituting a Meltrope I soundbox for the original.

A friend whose collection includes an MP22 and an MP30 reports that the bass response of the MP30 is better than his HMV 163 but not as good as his Expert Senior. He doesn't know how to post videos either!

I hope to post pictures of the MP22 and the MP30 soon, but meanwhile here is my MP23 with the doors open.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:11 am
by epigramophone
Here as promised are the pictures of the MP22.

Another MP22, with a different style of fretted front, can be viewed on the Archival Sound Recordings section of the British Library website.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 9:19 am
by epigramophone
Now we have some "work in progress" pictures of the MP30.

An article describing the acquisition and restoration of this machine will appear in a forthcoming issue of the CLPGS magazine.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 10:45 am
by Frankia
Lovely looking machines. Like Chunny, I'd love to hear them as well. Interesting and refreshing to see something different from what were the more widespread designs and technologies of those years.
What are the motors in those two gramophones?

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:23 am
by epigramophone
Thankyou for your kind remarks about this little known make.

Double spring Garrard motors were fitted as standard, but the MP22 could be supplied with a triple spring Thorens for an extra two guineas.

For an extra five guineas, both the MP22 and the MP30 could be supplied with an electric motor by Garrard or Thorens, but both the examples pictured are spring powered by Garrard.

Re: The Micro-Perophone Chromogram

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2013 4:52 pm
by FloridaClay
Very handsome cabinet veneer work on these, from the posted pics.

Clay