Early Sonora with "Feed-screw" tonearm video

[David Spanovich]

I've heard of this model, but have never, until now, seen one in action.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uAnv4EiVTQ[/youtube]

I'm wondering, does this really use a feed-screw, or does the tonearm simply slide like a telescope?

DS

[OrthoSean]

That's definitely a feedscrew along the bottom of the whole setup, exactly how much it actually does is likely another story. I believe the whole idea was to skirt Victor lawsuits, no?

I've always thought these were neat machines, thanks for sharing the video!

Sean

[estott]

It sounds better than I'd expect considering the small horn. There must be a fairly considerable slop factor in the tone arm though.

It's almost as nice to hear that set of Sonora Chimes!

[VintageTechnologies]

This machine's feed screw would of course match the thread pitch of Sonora records, but what about other brands of records? I always assumed there were variations in thread pitch, just as speeds were non-standard for many years.

[TinfoilPhono]

The just-published December issue of The Antique Phonograph (formerly The Sound Box) has a feature article about this fascinating machine, with link to a more detailed video. Watch your mailbox.

[estott]

This machine's feed screw would of course match the thread pitch of Sonora records, but what about other brands of records? I always assumed there were variations in thread pitch, just as speeds were non-standard for many years.

That's one of the things I meant when I said "slop factor" - i think there's enough side play in the reproducer mount to account for small variations in the cut