hma wrote: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
Well, hell... nursing homes have internet access too...
"He who dies with the most shellac wins"- some nutty record geek
That picture certainly looks correct. I guess I have the Imperial.
As expected, my Krazy Glue solution did not work for the tonearm.
I have a very newbie question: Should the articulation on the tonearm near the reproducer allow for free up and down movement of the reproducer? Mine has always been very sticky and I wonder if it is hurting the records since it is not flexible at all. I tried lubricating the articulation point but it is no better. If that is a problem maybe I am better off getting a new (used) tonearm vs. soldering my current one back together.
Will any tonearm/reproducer that fits properly into the base work?
Yes, the articulating joint between the reproducer and tonearm should rotate freely and be able to rotate vertically and laterally for playing Pathé records or Diamond Discs. That is the great part of the Sonora machines, as they have the ability (with the correct stylus installed) to play all types of records. The reproducer can rotate to play "normal" vertical 78 records with a steel needle, lateral Pathé records with a sapphire ball stylus or lateral Edison Diamond Discs with a diamond stylus. If you are unfamiliar with this ability, there are probably other posts addressing this with pictures... or ask on the Forum, if you have questions.
I don't know if your tonearm is pot metal (most are, very few are brass) and if so, it can't be soldered anyway, since you will potentially end up with a melted mess of amalgam, as pot metal melts at a low temperature.
Personally, I would opt for a replacement Sonora tonearm/reproducer combination, because the mounting bases are usually specific to brands. But if you are not concerned about your machine's future collectibility and preservation, you could use any tonearm with a base that fits the existing holes, but be aware that most tonearms and reproducers only allow for playing vertical 78s. Sonora was one of the best made machines in that period, with exceptional cabinet work rivaling Victor and typically better than most Columbia uprights.
"The phonograph is not of any commercial value." Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things." My Wife
How can you tell whether the tonearm is pot metal or brass? It is silver colored and definitely discolored with some corrosion so I'm guessing it's not brass. Will any SONORA tonearm with the proper base work? I don't plan to play anything but standard flat 78s
hma wrote:How can you tell whether the tonearm is pot metal or brass? It is silver colored and definitely discolored with some corrosion so I'm guessing it's not brass. Will any SONORA tonearm with the proper base work? I don't plan to play anything but standard flat 78s
Since your tonearm is broken, the exposed metal in the break would be silver if it's pot metal. If it's brass, it would be a yellow-gold color on the inside with nickel plating on top... Most likely, it's pot metal. Any Sonora tonearm with the correct base will work. If you buy one off eBay, make sure the seller is including the base that mounts to the cabinet with the tonearm, it's important that the tonearm matches the base... A lot of the sellers apparently don't realize that a tonearm without the base is useless, unless it just happens to be exactly the same as the one you have already mounted on the cabinet. Even if you don't plan to play any other records than vertical 78s, Sonora tonearms and reproducers allow you the option to play other types... Who knows, you might want to sometime.
"The phonograph is not of any commercial value." Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things." My Wife
![[The Talking Machine Forum - For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings]](/styles/we_universal/theme/images/the_talking_machine_forum.png)
