A fully restored Sonora Baby Grand Phonograph

[tictalk]

Looks great, Wonderful restoration.

[Roaring20s]

Now it looks good for its age! Good work.

James.

[Jonsheff]

I really do think this 1918 Sonora sound better than a Victrola of the same age. Perhaps its the huge mica on the reproducer or the fact that the horn is 100% wood and not cast metal and wood on the end like Victrola. Also has the felt pad volume control a the horn throat that is better control than opening victrola horn doors. The top design is a Victrola rip off, almost identical but It has really good sound, anyone else agree?

[Henry]

I'm prepared to believe it, but I'd like to hear my XI side-by-side with that beautiful Sonora!

[gramophoneshane]

I think you can thank the soundbox for the sound quality more than anything else.
I've never understood why Victor/HMV stuck with the Exhibition soundbox for so long.
If I remember correctly it was designed in 1902, and by 1912 or earlier, companies like Paillard (who made your soundbox) and Thorens were making far better soundboxes than the Exhibition.
Personally, I won't play anything but pre WWI records with an exhibition because most offbrands using Swiss or German components combined with a decent horn will be as good if not better at playing anything else.
A lot of these soundboxes are even better than Victor's No.2 in my opinion.

[Henry]

No question that a competently restored and adjusted sound box is key to everything else! As for the Exhibition, mine is good on acoustics, of course, and also small to medium-size jazz combos and big band swing (electrcical) recordings. It's not so good for symphonic ensembles; leave them for the Orthophonics and VivaTonals!

[Jonsheff]

Well, my Sonora test was made with a randomly selected record, perhaps the record was in better condition than other test records i used on Victrolas. I will test again using same record on the Sonora and again on my Victrola XVII with number 2 repro and see if my original post holds true.

[Bobm90]

It turned out absolutely beautiful, you should be very proud of all that you have done to save this piece of history for future generations!

[dzavracky]

In the second before picture you posted, there's a small metal plate attached to the inside of the lid. Why wasn't it re-attached to the inside of the lid after the restoration?

David

[BillH_NJ]

In the second before picture you posted, there's a small metal plate attached to the inside of the lid. Why wasn't it re-attached to the inside of the lid after the restoration?

David

I couldn’t see it very well in the picture, but was that the serial number plate that is usually found under the turntable on Sonoras?

Bill