Magnola Phonograph

[scullylathe]

Yeah, the Bel Canto is an oddball machine; not many uprights have $$ "rarity" value - not what I meant; more 'curiosity' rarity. The motor uses the casting someone posted recently asking what brand it was. The springs are parallel to the turntable and not perpendicular as others. The speed regulator is a dial with numbers that show through a window and not a thumbscrew or circular dial. The reproducer also tilts to play (read: tear up) diamond discs and other vertical records.

[larryh]

I think it is a rather nicely designed machine and although it is oak, the front panels are surely specialty cuts that have a great effect. I wouldn't consider it ordinary by any stretch.

Larry

[Uncle Vanya]

Beautiful machine. This machine has the same tonearm assembly as an oddball upright I have. The only name on my machine is a small brass plate on the rear panel inside the lid; "Bel Canto" and I was once told that it was a Starr-Meteor machine, but I've only seen mine and maybe one or two others in the last 25+ years. Anyone know more about this machine and it's manufacturer? Rarity?

That reproducer-tone arm assembly appears to be an early product of the Otto Heinemann Phonograph Supply Cmpany.
This design was produced from the beginnings of the Heinemann firm through 1918 or 1919, after which the firm made
substantial modifications to their tone arm offerings.

Many firms used these parts, but the Starr Piano Company made their own tone arm and reproducer assemblies, which
were exclusive to the Starr Machines, at least until the electric recording era, at which time Starr began using Blood
National Die Cast 'swan-neck tone arms.

[MagnolaNut]

Hi, these pics are awesome, I have a Magnola Talking Machine made in Chicago, also. Mine is Mahogany I love the machine but really like the one with the columns and the Oak cabinet, it is awesome, wish I could find one at a low price. Anyways I will try and post pics, and I also have a full color catalog for Magnola and will try to post some info. These Magnola's should not be under estimated, the full wood internal horn makes it sound great, I think it may actually sound almost as good as my Orthophonic.

My tone arm is missing the thumb bolt which goes through the tone are and into the reproducer. It is the only part that I am missing.