Curry's Gramophone

[Gramtastic]

Hi. A question for all the British members. I have just bought a small hornless machine made by Currys. It is missing its reproducer and I wonder if Currys had their own branded reproducer or used a generic one ?
Anyone know ? I guess they just retailed them under their name and used standard parts made by others ?

Thanks
Andrew

[gramophone78]

Hi. A question for all the British members. I have just bought a small hornless machine made by Currys. It is missing its reproducer and I wonder if Currys had their own branded reproducer or used a generic one ?
Anyone know ? I guess they just retailed them under their name and used standard parts made by others ?

Thanks
Andrew

Andrew, based on your pics, I can tell the fittings (pitch control & brake) were made by Paillard in Switzerland. Therefore, I would suggest the reproducer was also of Swiss origin (perhaps Paillard also) .

Paillard along with other Swiss companies made parts for many companies around the world. They would just add a paper insert behind the mica stating the brand name used.

[epigramophone]

Currys was founded in 1884 as bicycle manufacturers and retailers. They entered the gramophone and record market before 1914, their open horn machines ranging from the "Belport" at £2.5s to the "Majestic" at £6.10s.

The open horn "Portland" retailed at £2.19s.6d, and the name was clearly retained for the later "hornless" table model. Some Currys records, pressed by various firms, were labelled as Portlands.

As gramophone78 has pointed out, the machines were assembled using bought in Swiss made components, so any generic Swiss soundbox of the period would be suitable. Currys records are not particularly rare in the UK, but their machines are harder to find, so you may wait a long time for a Currys branded soundbox to turn up.

Currys are still very much in business as one of the UK's largest retailers of electrical goods.

[Gramtastic]

Thanks for the useful info. I might try calling into Currys PC World to see if they have one in stock !
Seriously though, if anyone comes across a picture of one, or even better a Currys soundbox to sell, please let me know !
Cheers and a Happy Christmas !