New project - Brunswick Model S "Stratford"

[Herderz]

Well you guys have got me hooked. I am looking for my next project and have found a Brunswick Model S York locally. This console is huge and would take me through the winter I would expect. It looks complete except a piece of detail in the center of the grill. It has been refinished at some point which means I will refinish it to my liking. It is supposed to be working order but I have not personally seen it. Is it worth my time?

[Inigo]

Opinion of a Brunswick-profane, but enthusiastic colleague...
Once more you have put a good goal in front of yourself. The console is very beautiful, and better it will be after your mastery treatment, for sure.
Brunswick machines are very good quality, the motor, the sound system, and you have the ++ of being provided with the Ultona tonearm and diaphragm, which plays verticals, Edison DDs and standard 78s, pretty well, all-in-one. The instructions for this tonearm and reproducer have been posted elsewhere in this forum. The tonearm has an adjustable counterweight and adjustable length, that must be set for each type of record. A little marvel. It's difficult to disassemble for overhauling, but you'll find the help from expert colleagues (not me ) herein.
I foresee great results and satisfaction for you.
If you please, keep us informed on your progress, your reports are very illustrative and entertaining, and we're greatly in debt to you for these reports that delight us and teach us. Thanks in advance for sharing these lovely works of you, and good luck!

[dzavracky]

These machines sounds nice when fixed up and adjusted. I haven't owned the double head ultona, and I know some people discourage using it for a diamond disc. My only thing about these machines is that take up a bit of floor space, and for the amount of space it takes up I would rather have a taller machine with a bigger horn. The walnut cabinet is beautiful though...

Just my two cents

David

[VanEpsFan1914]

If I remember right the Model YO is the York (1922-1924) and the Model S is the Stratford. Yours appears to be a Stratford for sure as it has the extra carvings missing on the York.

The Stratford sold for $300 when new, and could have an electric motor for $35 extra. The York sold for $150--both of these were expensive high-quality phonographs in their day; funny how a lot of collectors turn up their noses at consoles.

Unlike the York, which really only has full record storage on the left-hand side, the Stratford has extra storage but keeps that big Brunswick look. I would go for it as these all have exceptional motors and the Ultona soundbox will sound very good through the big wooden horn.

[Herderz]

Thanks Guys, VanEpsFan1914 I see now that it is a Stratford, I did not research enough. What I found was mislabeled. I am going to go look at it tomorrow and will probably be bring it home with me.

[VanEpsFan1914]

Thanks Guys, VanEpsFan1914 I see now that it is a Stratford, I did not research enough. What I found was mislabeled. I am going to go look at it tomorrow and will probably be bring it home with me.

Don't feel badly, I had to look up the Model S in the Brunswick book. The YO was familiar because I & David Z. have each owned Yorks.

With the caliber of restorations that you do, don't expect to make that kind of money if you have to sell it. But again with the quality of the machine & your work you might want to keep it! I would.

[Herderz]

Thanks for the advice VanEpsFan1914 but I am not in it for the money, just the satisfaction of the restore. So I brought it home for $130. It is mechanically complete except for the key to the lid, and I can make that I have done it in the past. It looks good for a starting point just nicks and scratches to the mahogany and some small cracks in the legs. Hey it runs quieter than any machine I have now without touching the motor. I have played laterals and Edison's on the triple reproducer and both sound great as it stands. I do not have a Pathé disc to try put a needle is present. I will probably be starting a new thread on the restoration process as I go forward. My wife probably thinks I am addicted because I tend to go into "DT's" before I finish the one I am working on. I think I just am looking to the future and do not want to run out of projects. Hum, is that the definition of addiction? Nah!

[Herderz]

Ok after looking at this thing I know that I need the manual, found it, read it, I can see that this is the first known disc jockey to come forth to the modern times. Rotate this way and push back the tone arm, move weight forward and back for this disc. Me or you cannot work this thing at a dance. The first creation of the disco tech engineer.

[Herderz]

Ok I have had her for a few hours, I have been playing disc's now for them hours. I don't think there will be any problems with the drive or the sound. I will be rebuilding everything anyway.

[52089]

I can't tell for sure from the picture, but it looks like you don't have the tonearm pulled out all the way for the Edison position, nor did you slide the counterweight to the back. You need to do this to minimize tracking error and record wear. Nipperhead.com has a detailed explanation of the 3 correct positions.