Broken Sonora tonearm

[hma]

I am new to the forum. I have a Sonora phonograph but don't know which model it is. The tonearm broke in half due to failure of a weld. Please see attached photos. Based on what I could find online I think the correct tonearm MAY be the R-173d, but I am not sure.
Can anyone identify the model I have (and its approximate age) and recommend the correct tonearm? Also, where can I find a replacement tonearm? I Crazy-glued the tonearm together but have my doubts about the longevity of my repair. Before it broke the phonograph worked very well.

Thanks in advance!

[mattrx]

Can't guarantee that this is the correct tone arm, but it looks close. The reproducer is not correct, but you already have one of those.

FYI: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1920s-Maestrop ... Sw2Xdd5cmk

Look for a label on the underside of the drawer for model information. It is sometimes located there on a Sonora.

Good Luck!

Matt

[AmberolaAndy]

Don’t be afraid to make a listing in our Yankee Trader section. Someone may have the part you are looking for.

[audiophile102]

Welcome to the forum! I own a Sonora and they were made with high grade components. Finding a replacement tone arm will take time, but it will be worth the effort. Be sure to change the steel needles after playing each record. The needles were designed to wear down the point and if used repeatedly, will destroy the record.

The Antique Phonograph Society has an excellent history of the Sonora phonograph company. Consider joining as the story is worth the price of membership alone.
https://www.antiquephono.org/

[OrthoFan]

Here's a Sonora tonearm and reproducer combi -- https://www.phonographs.org/product/r-1 ... -tone-arm/

Don't know if this is a fair price, but you could always re-sell the reproducer if you don't need it.

OrthoFan

[gramophone-georg]

If I'm not mistaken that's just a solder joint- should be repairable.

[Benjamin_L]

Welcome to the forum HMA, as other members have pointed out there are a few different variations listed on eBay. You could also look into getting your original soldered back together.

I think it's the "imperial", I don't think it was in Sonora's first line up of models.

Let us know what you decide to do.

[Benjamin_L]

Here's another one listed on eBay that could possibly work:(https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonora-Baby-Gr ... SwrxpeSgDd)

[hma]

Thanks to all for your help. I had no idea that there was such an active community for these old phonographs!

Are the tonearms and reproducers for the different Sonora models interchangeable? I notice that the R-173c has a curved portion next to the reproducer and the others (including mine) do not.

I agree that it is a solder joint. It's been decades since I did any soldering but if I can locate my soldering gun I will give it a try. What makes it tricky is that it is at a pivot point so it would probably not be good to get sloppy with the solder.

BTW, there are no labels or markings on the bottom of the drawer. Is there a way to tell the model from the serial number?

Thanks!
HMA

[Benjamin_L]

Thanks to all for your help. I had no idea that there was such an active community for these old phonographs!

Are the tonearms and reproducers for the different Sonora models interchangeable? I notice that the R-173c has a curved portion next to the reproducer and the others (including mine) do not.

I agree that it is a solder joint. It's been decades since I did any soldering but if I can locate my soldering gun I will give it a try. What makes it tricky is that it is at a pivot point so it would probably not be good to get sloppy with the solder.

BTW, there are no labels or markings on the bottom of the drawer. Is there a way to tell the model from the serial number?

Thanks!
HMA

Sonora made machines well into the late 20s, so there's several different variations of the tonearm and some aren't interchangeable. I'd suggest measuring yours and try finding the closest matching, the curved tonearm allows you to rotate the reproducer.

Many have a paper label under the drawer but I know most don't last over time. (No serial record information has survived on Sonora machines.) I'm pretty sure it's the "imperial" model from previous topics.