Here we go again. Suspicious horn model...

[antique1973]

Thanks for the advice once again everyone, I probably would have blown
this off otherwise. There are some minor condition issues but all the
original parts are here. The screws on the reproducer are the tiny ones
and they are stuck like crazy unfortunately. I put it in the freezer and
will make another attempt tomorrow. The case is in great shape, should be
a sharp machine once restored.

[Retrograde]

I found a really attractive machine too, should I buy it?

[estott]

If you could pick it up for about $20.00 it might almost be worth it

[gramophoneshane]

Good score 73!
I'd say 1910-15 or so. I think the brass plaque on the front is probably a music store dealer plate, but not reading German I cant say for sure.
Some components look like Thorens, & others resemble Paillards, so I'd say it's neither, and is of German manufacture.
The "N" on the motor is probably either the motor designation or the trademark of the company who manufactured it. It's not a motor I'm familiar with, but perhaps Starkton might recognise it & be able to identify the manufacturer.
Over here, an off-brand original like that would cost $500-700, so you did very well at $100 IMO.
Congrats!

[antique1973]

Wow, its the Venis Martin of the crapophone world! Buy Buy!

[antique1973]

Good score 73!
I'd say 1910-15 or so. I think the brass plaque on the front is probably a music store dealer plate, but not reading German I cant say for sure.
Some components look like Thorens, & others resemble Paillards, so I'd say it's neither, and is of German manufacture.
The "N" on the motor is probably either the motor designation or the trademark of the company who manufactured it. It's not a motor I'm familiar with, but perhaps Starkton might recognise it & be able to identify the manufacturer.
Over here, an off-brand original like that would cost $500-700, so you did very well at $100 IMO.
Congrats!

Thanks Shane! I am definitely happy with the find. The motor runs good and strong with no "bumping" surprisingly. There is some side to side play in the governor that makes excessive vibration and noise however. I will see if I can adjust the retaining
pins to take up the slack. Looks better with felt I think.

[alang]

Congratulations, very nice machine. Why do I never find stuff like this for $100?

The sign is indeed a dealer sign for a company called "Musikhaus Merkur" (Music House Mercury). The first line says "Sprechmaschinen" (Talking Machines) - Schallplatten (disc records) - Spezial... (special or specialist something). I cannot make out the end of the last word, maybe if you can post a clearer picture. Below that, right of the company name is the city: "Mainz" and below that the address: Schillerstr. 25 (Schiller St. 25).

Andreas

[gramophoneshane]

Looks much better already
The soundbox does appear to be a Thorens. Those aluminium (not pot metal) bodied reproducers with a gold plated retaining ring are fairly common out here. With new gaskets, it should sound just as good as an exhibition soundbox. They're a bit lighter than an exhibition too, even though the diaphragm and body are bigger. Just be careful with those perforated cast turntables, as they are extremely fragile now they have a bit of age behind them.
The rexonola box below was made by Thorens & should be the same as yours (apart from the plating on the retaining ring). They were used by Rexonola from around 1915 until the mid 20s on some models, and I've seen them on other brand machines as late as 1927/28.
They dont do a bad job on early electric recordings either when adjusted well. I've included a video below of my "Tonaphone" which uses the same reproducer, so it'll give you an idea how good they can sound.
I've never tried the freezer trick with one of these, so I'm not too sure if it will help or not. Being aluminium, the iron screws set up a sort of electrolysis reaction between the two metals, causing a white powdery coating of corrosion. It's seldom enough to damage the threads, but it pretty much glues the screws in tight. If the freezer doesn't work, hit it with plenty of WD40 & that should take care of the corrosion. Make sure the screw driver is a perfect fit for the screws too, & it should come apart fairly easily. The good news is that I've never had a screw head sheer off on one of these, I presume because the aluminium is much softer than the steel screws. Try not to over-tighten the screws when you replace them too, as you can strip the thread in the soft metal.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y35zYVEEB54[/youtube]

[antique1973]

[quote="gramophoneshane"]Looks much better already
The soundbox does appear to be a Thorens. Those aluminium (not pot metal) bodied reproducers with a gold plated retaining ring are fairly common out here. With new gaskets, it should sound just as good as an exhibition soundbox. They're a bit lighter than an exhibition too, even though the diaphragm and body are bigger. Just be careful with those perforated cast turntables, as they are extremely fragile now they have a bit of age behind them.
The rexonola box below was made by Thorens & should be the same as yours (apart from the plating on the retaining ring). They were used by Rexonola from around 1915 until the mid 20s on some models, and I've seen them on other brand machines as late as 1927/28.
They dont do a bad job on early electric recordings either when adjusted well. I've included a video below of my "Tonaphone" which uses the same reproducer, so it'll give you an idea how good they can sound.
I've never tried the freezer trick with one of these, so I'm not too sure if it will help or not. Being aluminium, the iron screws set up a sort of electrolysis reaction between the two metals, causing a white powdery coating of corrosion. It's seldom enough to damage the threads, but it pretty much glues the screws in tight. If the freezer doesn't work, hit it with plenty of WD40 & that should take care of the corrosion. Make sure the screw driver is a perfect fit for the screws too, & it should come apart fairly easily. The good news is that I've never had a screw head sheer off on one of these, I presume because the aluminium is much softer than the steel screws. Try not to over-tighten the screws when you replace them too, as you can strip the thread in the soft metal.



Thanks for the heads up on this reproducer. I have yet to encounter one until now, and yes it looks very similar to the one in your photo. Its some relief that its made of aluminum since its less
prone to breakage like pot metal. My biggest worry is tearing up the screw heads and then not being
able to get them out. I had this problem with a No 2 before with very similar screws. I had to resort to using a tiny drill bit to drill out the bad screw and ordered another one. I used some PB blaster
already but I will try WD 40 if the freezer doesn't work.

[antique1973]

Congratulations, very nice machine. Why do I never find stuff like this for $100?

The sign is indeed a dealer sign for a company called "Musikhaus Merkur" (Music House Mercury). The first line says "Sprechmaschinen" (Talking Machines) - Schallplatten (disc records) - Spezial... (special or specialist something). I cannot make out the end of the last word, maybe if you can post a clearer picture. Below that, right of the company name is the city: "Mainz" and below that the address: Schillerstr. 25 (Schiller St. 25).

Andreas

Thanks Andreas,and thanks for the translation also! Very cool. I will try to get a better shot of the plate tomorrow.