Mid-range Sonora?

[thatonejohn]

Picked up this Sonora at an antique shop over the weekend. Runs, but I have to figure out how to get the tone arm reattached. It doesn't have the giant gold plated motor like the deluxe models but the motor is still substantial and gold. Uncarved wooden tone arm, with both reproducers. Also, has the motor meter, but it only goes up to 9 10" records, or 6 12" records. Front door pulls out and then slides underneath.

So, is this a period model? I didn't see it in Wakeman's Sonora book. The Colonial is close, but I think this is smaller. There's a number under the accessory drawer, 26.

It'll be a while before I can put any serious time into this machine, but it should be a good machine at a reasonable size.

[Jerry B.]

Until you sort out the tone arm you should remove the spring motor. You could get your daily exercise lifting that sucker over your head ten times in a row a couple of times a day.

Jerry Blais

[Silvertone]

So, is this a period model?

Yes, this is one of Sonora's Period models. It is the Colonial Deluxe style and called the Mt. Vernon. It sold for $325 when new.

[thatonejohn]

So, is this a period model?

Yes, this is one of Sonora's Period models. It is the Colonial Deluxe style and called the Mt. Vernon. It sold for $325 when new.

Ah, so there must have been some artistic interpretation involved with the images in the catalog. There's no way the lower knobs would slide into the door storage spot.

[phonogfp]

Sonora was notorious for making slight changes to its cabinets seemingly year by year. I have a Sonora which corresponds exactly to the 1924 catalog illustration of the model, but the 1922 catalog illustration shows entirely different legs.

George P.

[emerson]

Nice find of a really nice machine---you have a good one there.

[AmberolaAndy]

Sonoras were some of the nicest looking machines of that time period IMO. Great find!

[Swing Band Heaven]

It is probably a stupid question but what does the dial with 10" and 12" on it show?

Nice machine by the way.

[Jerry B.]

It is probably a stupid question but what does the dial with 10" and 12" on it show?

Good question. It's an indicator to let the operator know how far the spring motor is wound. By looking at the indicator you can estimate how many 10" or 12" records the machine will play before additional winding. It was a feature on the better Sonora machines.

Jerry B.

[Jerry B.]

It is probably a stupid question but what does the dial with 10" and 12" on it show?

Good question. It's an indicator to let the operator know how far the spring motor is wound. By looking at the indicator you can estimate how many 10" or 12" records the machine will play before additional winding. It was a feature on the better Sonora machines.

Jerry B.