Featured Phonograph № 54

[gramophoneshane]

Make: REXONOLA (by Jackson & MacDonald Co, Sydney, N.S.W.)
Model: MODEL 60
Serial # A4641
Year(s) Made: Released late 1928
Original Cost: £27
Case/Cabinet Size: 33"W x 21"D x 37"H
Turntable/Mandrel: 12"
Reproducer/Sound-Box: Rexophonic Prismaphonic by Thorens
Motor: Double spring Rexonola manufactured by Thorens
Horn Dimensions: 16 ½"W x 23"H
Reproduction Parts: The paint on the crank handle.
Current Value: AU$600-700 on a good day maybe??
Interesting Facts: Released in around November 1928 as Rexonolas "top of the line for 29". As far as I know, no bigger or better model was ever released by Rexonola, which was Australias most successful gramophone manufacturer. At half the price of an HMV 163, they must have sold resonably well, although I've personally only seen 3 Rexonola 60s in 31 years.

[gramophoneshane]

Here's a couple shots of the machine the day I bought it, and an advert for the Rexonola 60.

[gramophoneshane]

And lastly, a couple videos of the machine playing. It actually sounds much better in person, but this thing is LOUD, and being in such a small room it seems to echo or something through the camera.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G0BCcBe_s8[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2hu7fFtPq8[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tASTAJy-VRU[/youtube]

[OrthoFan]

Shane:

It looks and sounds fantastic. Probably, fiber or thorn needles would sound best with the all-metal tone chamber.

How does it compare with your HMV in terms of bass output?

[gramophoneshane]

Actually the horn is made totally from wood that's been painted with a thick black enamel type substance.
The bass is nowhere near as good as an HMV Re-entrant. It's probably closer to what an HMV 157 puts out, only louder lol. The 5A is a far better soundbox though.
I do think this will one machine I'll be keeping medium or soft tone needles in one cup.

[Brad]

Terrific Shane,

This is quite an attractive cabinet. You obviously saw the "Diamond in the rough" when you bought this one. Nice job!

[WDC]

That's a wonderful sound and to what I can hear it is more blunt than an Orthophonic, something I very much appreciate. The sax-shaped horn makes a world of difference. What kind of diaphragm does this one have?

[gramophoneshane]

It has an aluminium diaphragm & was introduced in 1927 on the new Rexophonic range of machines designed to play electrical recordings. They were also available separately as an upgrade for existing machines, as can be seen in the ad below.

[WDC]

Thanks for posting the scan, very interesting. The shape and overall design appears, to my opinion, to be closer to the Columbia Viva-Tonals. It's great to have the phonograph with its original reproducer.

[antique1973]

That's a sweet machine, sounds excellent too! Great find Shane.