HMV Model 157 Reproducer

[epigramophone]

I disassembled the soundbox and the photos tell the story. It is an old Sonora body. The needle bar had been sawn off. The Nipper picture was scraped off the label of one of the records that came with the machine, and then put on a piece of plexiglass, all of which was just stuffed into the Sonora body. No wonder it was soooo quiet. I swear though, there was music when the seller played a record on it.

I was able to get a No. 5B soundbox from a forum member (Thanks George!), received it today and put it on the machine. Wow - it is not quiet any longer, and sounds just great.

Up next is a good cleaning for the motor. Hopefully no more surprises (hamster wheel instead of canned springs?).

If possible, can someone send a photo or two showing some detail of the lid prop/catch for these machines? There is simply a bolt (which does not look correct) as a pivot in this one now, and the construction of the entire thing looks like there should be some other parts. It does not "catch" and hold the lid up very well as it is right now.

This type of lid stay has a sprung "knuckle joint". The eBay listing below has some good pictures of it.
There are two versions of the top fixing, one for squared lids such as your 157 and one for domed lids. Check before buying!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HMV-Gramopho ... SwWxlfFeoW

[Inigo]

Our colleague soundgen may sell the right one to you. He sells gramophone parts, and lives in the UK. He's also on eBay under the same name. You may PM him, or put a WANTED add in the Yankee Trader section of the forum. But maybe your own lid stay can be still repaired...