dog's breakfast

[justin ball]

Dare I share any pics of a "restoration? I bought what looked like a tabletop model from ebay, only to find that the "refurbishment" the seller spoke of was a tatty bit of felt, some really dark varnish (with lumpy bits) and cutting the legs and cabinet off of what had once been a large upright.

I've since built it some legs, but it's still a dogs breakfast.

Justin

[phonogfp]

By all means share your pictures. You're among friends, and most (all?) of us have been in a similar situation - - especially early on in our collecting!

George P.

[justin ball]

pics in morning

[justin ball]

This ebay find was supposed to come with 160 records, of which 114 arrived, and of which 14 were brocken. The "refurbishment" the seller spoke of was to paint it with dark varnish. All the brass or nickel had ben stripped and the legs cut off. You can see where the lower cabinet doors were supposed to go. Not even a makers name remained.

So, having little to lose, I gave it brass knobs for the doors, made a brass plate for the winder and a name plate. And a little thing for lifting the lid. It is now "The World Famous Parlour Pleaser, Benwell, England Pat. 1907". It's probably 1920. Mechanically it's great and looks good from 10 feet, but anyone with an appreciation of joinery will know it's a botch job.

[phonogfp]

Well, Justin, you have already heaped enough scorn on your "Parlour Pleaser" so I won't add any - nor will I argue.

That said, you have something that you quite literally saved from the trash, and it can go on playing records and Pleasing Patrons for another century. The tone arm design looks like mid/late 1920s, and that suggests a good offset and efficient sound passage (at least until it reaches the horn). That will decrease record wear and possibly play as well as (better?) than some all-original and more valuable examples of an earlier period. You sound like a fellow who can appreciate the utility of this machine despite the depredations someone inflicted upon it. Good for you!

If you haven't done so already, give a read through the introductory articles on the Antique Phonograph Society web site: www.antiquephono.org. The one titled Basic Antique Phonograph Operational Tips may be especially helpful. Remember to change your needle with every record, and lubricate all moving parts with a good quality oil (no Three-In-One or other paraffin-based stuff).

Have fun with the "Parlour Pleaser" - - it sounds like you already are!

George P.

[Bruce]

Justin

I agree with George, you have done an excellent job in saving your parlour pleaser from the trash.

When you are showing it off to friends or neighbours I would concentrate on the uniqueness of phonographs in general. Chances are very good that none of them have seen a record player before, let alone one that is hand cranked. And wait to see the look on their faces when they see the two door volume control.

Good luck with future collecting and welcome to the previnyl 78 record world.

Bruce

[Mr Grumpy]

Hey Justin, welcome to the Forum.

It doesn't look too bad, does it wobble a lot when you're cranking the handle?

[Marco Gilardetti]

Justin, I tend to love all things that show they've had a "hard life", just like your Parlour Pleaser. I believe it is an important side of what pushes most of us here to be restorers. Moreover, as said by others, all things are to be seen in perspective. If anyone presented me with your Parlour Pleaser when a kid, he would have made me the happiest kid in the world. Not even to mention the hundred records that were in the deal. Wow. If only I could put my hands on that bonanza in the late '70s...!

May I ask you why you eventually decided to craft those legs? (or at least, this is what I understand you did...) I see that it was a floor-standing machine, but being the Parlour Pleaser incomplete when it came to you, my personal opinion is that at present time it would be better displayed as a tabletop model. With some nice wooden corners applied, you can rest assured that 99.99% of the world's population wouldn't tell it from a genuine tabletop model.

In the future, should you decide to progress in this hobby, you might be able to develop the ability to fully restore it to original conditions. And yes: it is possible. I'm not a maestro when it comes to wood but I've seen unbelievable works reported here (the terrific Melba Pedestal replica possibly being the top of all! ) and sometimes even my modest hands could rehaul some machines to a much better condition than I thought at first. You may as well set it as your final goal and masterwork.

Welcome on board, midshipman!

[justin ball]

It spins 12" disks. It's huge and I only have the one table. The corners were sort of swooped out, and the legs cut jaggedly off. It looked terrible. The remains of th legs I planed off, and hid the scars behind the new legs. It sounds much better free standing.