HMV tabletop machine

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drh
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HMV tabletop machine

Post by drh »

Anybody have words of wisdom about this machine? A friend overseas bought it, and he's asked me about it, but I know next to nothing about European production. It looks a lot like an equivalent to a Victrola IX to me, but that's about as far as it goes. I can say it has a His Master's Voice No. 4 reproducer. Is that like the Victrola No. 4 in the United States? Thanks to any or all for enlightenment!

(I've already alerted my friend about not reusing steel needles and that having the motor serviced and lubed would be a good idea if it hasn't already been done recently.)
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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by Inigo »

It
Seems to be the HMV 103 of 1925-26, but the tonearm seems not original. The original swan neck hmv tonearm was thinner at the back. Seems a replacement. Otherwise, this machine has a single spring motor and 10" tt, hmv no4 soundbox and small exponential horn, and sounds beautifully. The brake seems also a replacement.
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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by nostalgia »

With all due respect, this looks to me like a HMV 109 (1924-30 according to the HMG book) in mahogany, and like Inigo stated, the tonearm has been changed, and also the manual brake. The reason I think this is a 109, is because of the speed indicator and the door panels in particular, that look different on the HMV 109 than on the HMV 103.
If it turns out to be a 109, it will have a double spring HMV 32 motor, and is because of that a rather heavy machine, but also of a superior quality to the HMV 103 that with its single spring motor feels more weak. I have owned both a 109 and still have the 103 in storage, the 109 was sold after complete restoration at the end of 2020. The early version of theHMV no4 soundbox is a big plus!

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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by epigramophone »

I agree that this is an early 109, although why the tonearm has been replaced is a mystery. I have never known an original to break.

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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by jamiegramo »

I think it could be a late 108 where someone has updated the gooseneck tonearm and exhibition soundbox to something more suitable for their new electrically recorded 78s, perhaps the brake was changed at the same time although the original could still have been operated by hand.

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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by jamiegramo »

This slightly fuzzy picture shows a late 108 with a similar layout to an early 109.
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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by Inigo »

Did the early 109 bear a10" tt? The machine drh shows has a 10" tt...
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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by poodling around »

Inigo wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:27 am Did the early 109 bear a10" tt? The machine drh shows has a 10" tt...
What is a 'tt' please ?

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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by 52089 »

poodling around wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 10:36 am
Inigo wrote: Sun Apr 11, 2021 9:27 am Did the early 109 bear a10" tt? The machine drh shows has a 10" tt...
What is a 'tt' please ?
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nostalgia
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Re: HMV tabletop machine

Post by nostalgia »

Here is a photo of the turntable of my HMV 109, when I restored it last year. According to the HMG book it has a beaded edge turntable, while the 108 has a 10 inch turntable according to the same book. I have never seen a 108 in real life, so Jamie might very well be correct that this is a late 108, also because of the turntable. These table grands are often very difficult to differ, but at least to my eyes, and as I know the 103, it does not look like a 103.

Looking under the needle cup might solve the mystery though, the model number is often given there. And...if opening the motor board, it for sure will be easy to rule out the 103 if it has a HMV 32 double spring motor. Both the 108 and 109 has double spring HMV 32 motors,) contrary to the HMV 103 with its single spring 425/426 motor) according to the HMG book, and also to my own eyes, since I have opened both a HMV 109 and 103. The 425 motor is also found in the two earliest version of the HMV 101 portable, again according to the same book, and also my own eyes..since I have this motor in my early front wind 101 portable.
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