Over the past years, many fellow forum members have bemoaned the loss of phonographs to non- collectors, who preferred some form of shabby chic, or even the conversion to a liquor cabinet. Earlier this year I came across a unique gramophone cabinet which had suffered this fate, having its guts removed and replaced by mirrors, velvet, and all the glass ware required for a liquor cabinet. I could not pass on the challenge of returning this beautiful musical instrument to its former glory. I successfully bid against a couple others who thought it would make a great addition as a liquor cabinet in their “man caves”.
Once I got my prize home, I reached out to several collectors through this forum and determined that it originated from England, and I was able to locate photos of 9 other machines. It is apparent that the builder of the Operaphone used motors and upper works from whatever manufacture they could, mostly concentrating on Thorens.
The following is a chronology of the restoration steps that I followed:
- Removed all evidence of the liquor cabinet (including having to smash the glass glued to the inside of the lid).
- Dismantled the cabinet and stripped all remaining finish and stain.
- Built the internal horn and cut the top decking and motor board from ¼ inch mahogany board.
- Refinished the cabinet with light brown mahogany wiping stain (darkening the stain with a little walnut colouring to match the new wood to the old).
- Hand carved replacement trim pieces and painted the trims gold.
- Applied the wiping stain on the dried gold trim to dull the glint and give it an aged look.
- Finished with a couple layers of satin lacquer, sanding after each spray, and then finishing with a layer of semi-gloss lacquer.
- I was fortunate to be able to keep the finish under the front speaker lid where the "Operaphone” decal was located, and I used this area as a guide for the remainder of the cabinet finish.
- Installed a Thorens motor and upperworks, and finished the turntable and record shelves with velvet matching a small sample (fortunately left behind by the liquor cabinet maker).
Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
- Bruce
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Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
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- dzavracky
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
WOW! I am really impressed . Can you upload a video of it playing?
David
David
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Top notch transformation!
James.
James.
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Clearly a labor of love. Congratulations on a job well done.
"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Really great to see a reverse restoration on a rare phonograph. That was a lot of time consuming and great work. Tom
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Your craftsmanship and attention to detail are breath taking. A magnificent achievement.
Roger.
Roger.
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Fantastic! Congratulations
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Excellent work!
I like that you smashed the mirror. It was probably the only way to get it out, but even if it weren't, it deserved a good smashing!
I like that you smashed the mirror. It was probably the only way to get it out, but even if it weren't, it deserved a good smashing!
- Inigo
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- Victor O
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Re: Shaken, not stirred (rescue of Operaphone)
Yup, that mirror got what it deserved...Karma is a b*tch...
bob stutz
bob stutz