(New) HMV Junior Monarch, wood type?

[nostalgia]

Sometimes it gives extra credit to be early up on a Sunday morning when most people sleep. I was out early today to collect 50 jazz records, driving 120 km in total, when suddenly, only 4 km away from my car position at that time, this machine showed up for sale at a very good price after a "pling" on my phone that is watching ads. An amazing luck of course.
After checking the HMG book, I understand this must be a (New Junior) Monarch, manufactured between 1903-10, and from it, it will be my earliest machine so far. It is also very well kept, and in a very good condition, as we can see from the photos.
I am not so sure about the wood type though, is this oak or mahogany? I can see this model was made in rather small mumbers in mahogany, so it would be easy to think it is oak, but the dark color makes me hesitate.
Would you keep the felt as it is, or change it? It looks rather pale...but is not torn etc.
And yes, it is missing the angel plaque on top.

[CarlosV]

Looks oak to me. Nice machine!

[epigramophone]

If the turntable cloth is loose around the rim, have a look at the underside. If it is green it is probably original.

[Steve]

As Carlos has already stated it is most definitely oak.

I need one of those "ping" notifications on my phone! Congratulations on finding an amazing machine. Now if I DID get a ping the chances are it would be some lady selling a 1960s Alba Stereogram with a large collection of Winnifred Attwell and Victor Sylvester records!

[nostalgia]

Thanks Carlos, for deciding the wood type, and the turntable cloth is green on the underside Roger, so it is original. I feel it needs to be replaced..
Yes, Steve,,you must get a "ping" on your phone
Thanks for all the congratulations too.
It is definiitely the find of the year, even if the school model shown in another thread is more rare and comes very close, ...and just in time for Christmas too

[alang]

Congratulations to another amazing find! You really have a lucky star.

Please don't replace the original turntable felt. It is in great condition aside from being faded. Remember, it's only original once. You could put a new piece of felt on top if you don't like the look, then it would be fully reversible.

Andreas

[nostalgia]

Thank you Andreas for your input and greetings.
I will listen to your advice, and keep the felt

[Steve]

Yes, Andreas has the right idea. Opinions and tastes change over time. 25 years ago I had a trademark machine with original felt which was very holed through with moth so I overlaid a new piece of green felt to disguise it which I spot glued very lightly. I just couldn't live with the look of the original.

Nowadays I think differently and I detest the "dishonesty" of the bright green perfect felt so I've removed it and happily live with the moth eaten felt. But it's only original once; remove it and it's gone forever.

[Steve]

Thanks Carlos, for deciding the wood type, and the turntable cloth is green on the underside Roger, so it is original. I feel it needs to be replaced..
Yes, Steve,,you must get a "ping" on your phone
Thanks for all the congratulations too.
It is definiitely the find of the year, even if the school model shown in another thread is more rare and comes very close, ...and just in time for Christmas too

What School Model are you referring to?

[nostalgia]

This one, Steve:
viewtopic.php?p=311870#p311870