Stradivox

[canyr]

Hello,
Does anyone here know about this french portable, made in the thirties by a luthier ?

I have the original soundbox, but it's loose on the tone arm, and the pot metal looks cracked inside, so I've replaced it with a HMV N°4.

Here is a video where it plays a record (first side by a Hmv 101, second side by the Stradivox).[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJHf-1BvXt0[/youtubehd]

[CarlosV]

The Stradivox was made in Mirencourt, France, a town famous for its luthiers. As a side business, one of them, Magnié, decided to manufacture portable gramophones like yours. The selling argument was the use of the same wood and craftmanship in the internal horn as that applied to make violins. Frankly, mine sounds pretty ordinary (it has the original soundbox in good shape)and there is nothing in its sound that makes it distinctive, but its finishing is quite good, it is a very nice type of wood, and mine has some unusual features for such small portable like a retractable crank, an auto brake and a canvas outer protective case.

You will find more info in the link below:
http://www.luthiers-mirecourt.com/laber ... uments.htm

[canyr]

Thanks. I like the sound on mine, with the hmv soundbox.

Maybe you could help me. To make it run at 78rpm, I have to push the speed handle almost to the max. Do you know how I could adjust it so that it runs approximately right in the middle position.

I think I should turn this (see photo) accurately, but the whole link to the governor follows.

[canyr]

I spotted the same machine in the photos from the links sent by Soungen in the phonogalerie.com thread.
https://flic.kr/p/xD8kn

[epigramophone]

More information and pictures on www.portable-gramophone.com/stradivox_en.ws

[CarlosV]

Probably the issue with the speed of your machine is a worn governor felt, which biases the controls as it wears with time. The fix is to push up the felt if it has enough material, or replace it.

[canyr]

Thank you very much Carlos. I'll see if I can improve that.

[Phono48]

You can also adjust the speed by the following method. When the motor is running at 78, pull the piece you have ringed in the last photo upwards and it will come off the turntable spindle. It's only a tight push-fit. Just push it back on in a central position, and re-attach the speed lever.

Barry

[canyr]

Yes Barry, that's what I thought at first, but I tried to pull it off and it won't come. I'm afraid of trying it with more strength.

[canyr]

Barry, you're the man ! That did the trick, it's now perfect.
I really had to pull hard though, but it was no problem. Thank you very much !