The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Steve wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:54 pm Nice machine, identical to my 9000A. Do we know what the difference between a 9000 and a 9000A is, excluding the odd machine I've posted?

epigramophone wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:44 am If that is indeed the case, you have found one of the prototypes.

Roger.

Phono48 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:13 am

epigramophone wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:44 am If that is indeed the case, you have found one of the prototypes.

Roger.

I agree. Studying the photos more closely, I see differences in the case hinges, lid clasp, case corners, and shape of the case itself. All else appears to be genuine and original.

Barry

Inigo wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 8:29 am I would not worry too much. These machines it's clear they were made in several variations aside from what the books say...

epigramophone wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:44 am

Steve wrote: ↑Thu Jul 29, 2021 5:54 pm Nice machine, identical to my 9000A. Do we know what the difference between a 9000 and a 9000A is, excluding the odd machine I've posted?

"His Master's Gramophone" states that the 9000 was introduced in 1946, but that "there is evidence that it had existed in black only before the War, presumably in prototype form." If that is indeed the case, you have found one of the prototypes.

Roger.

Inigo wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:11 am Just consider they might still have unused 101 cases...
The little 101 is the one that amazes me. 6 years of life only, and it's still the most common portable. I'd bet the are more 101s than 102s. Maybe the 102 came out at a moment when the 1929 Crack was extending its effects all over the world, and later when the crisis passed, radio was very strong. In the 2nd peak of record sales, there were already cheap electrical pickups that you could attach to the radio for playing records... The 102 was in production 30 years, but still it seems there are much more 101s than 102s...

epigramophone wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:43 pm

Inigo wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 9:11 am Just consider they might still have unused 101 cases...
The little 101 is the one that amazes me. 6 years of life only, and it's still the most common portable. I'd bet the are more 101s than 102s. Maybe the 102 came out at a moment when the 1929 Crack was extending its effects all over the world, and later when the crisis passed, radio was very strong. In the 2nd peak of record sales, there were already cheap electrical pickups that you could attach to the radio for playing records... The 102 was in production 30 years, but still it seems there are much more 101s than 102s...

The 101's production run coincided with the peak of portable gramophone popularity.
The 102's production run was interrupted by WW2, and after that the demand for acoustic gramophones was in decline.
Most post war 102 production was exported to countries without a reliable mains electricity supply.