Decca XL portable question

[Steve]

Can anyone please advise what exactly the "XL" model is? It appears to be from the new numbered range introduced in 1927 with the full height corner protectors to the exterior of the case but similar to a "22" in not having the internal horn connecting the tone-arm to dulciflex. Similar to the old "Junior" model, it also has the narrower case with the more squashed oval dulciflex as opposed to the standard circular type.

When I see "XL" on anything I usually associate that with "extra large" but clearly this machine is anything but. With a new numbered system introduced, I am intrigued by this diminutive model. What is the significance of the model and where does it fit into that specific range of Decca instruments which includes the 22, 33, 44, 55, 66 and 88?

[Steve]

Just a thought.....

Has anyone here got a copy of the small booklet published by CLPGS some years ago about Decca gramophones? I do have a copy but sadly it's currently inaccessible.

I'm sure it mentions the "XL".

[epigramophone]

I had not replied previously because I knew you had a copy of the booklet, to which we both contributed.
In the chapter on the Telesmatic models it says :

"In July 1927 a new Junior was added to the range, called the XL. This had a shallower, more rectangular case with full height metal corner protectors, a presage of things to come. It also had a metal diaphragm soundbox, of a type that seems to have been fitted to no other Decca."

Although there is a picture of an XL, the tonearm is clipped inside the Dulciflex bowl, making it impossible to see the soundbox.

Roger.

[Steve]

Thank you, Roger. By Telesamatic, are we referring to the range with models 66 & 88? There was a range briefly before this with the Telesamatic soundbox and tonearm of different taper to the earlier Decca's, but that was succeeded by the range with those models which had the thinner bore tonearm and internal horn connecting it to the dulciflex.

I have seen an XL with a Cresendo Junior soundbox of mica type. I presume it's incorrect to have an earlier type of soundbox on it? Although your quote above suggests the XL came before the range with the 66 / 88 etc.

[epigramophone]

According to the booklet, the Telesmatic models were introduced in October 1926, but did not acquire the twin digit model numbers until October 1927. These were introduced in the following order :

October 1927 "66".
May 1928 "44" "55" and "88".
November 1928 "22" and "33".

The reason why there was no "77" was that this number had already been used on the "70" series cabinet models.

[Steve]

Thanks again, Roger. I'd like to know what that metal diaphragm soundbox was. My "22" has a nickel plated Paillard No. 8 soundbox on it with aluminium diaphragm. Curiously, when this soundbox was retained for the bigger models of the succeeding range, it was supplied with that bluish grey gun metal finish.

[Oedipus]

Why not just ask me -- I wrote the book! Incidentally, the current version is slightly revised .

Here, I hope, is the photo of the XL, which you can enlarge, and the sound box is then clearer. I am open to correction, of course, on its being unique to the XL -- but no one has corrected me yet!

[Steve]

Why not just ask me -- I wrote the book! Incidentally, the current version is slightly revised .

Here, I hope, is the photo of the XL, which you can enlarge, and the sound box is then clearer. I am open to correction, of course, on its being unique to the XL -- but no one has corrected me yet!

Well, please allow me to! Well, technically speaking, it might not be a correction as the machine in question might have had the incorrect soundbox placed on it, but I have seen the soundbox pictured above on a handful of other Decca machines, notably an early 1930's "Junior" - the one which appears almost identical to the Decca "100". I always assumed the soundbox must be a replacement as I hadn't seen it on other Decca's but presumably, it might well have been correct! Incidentally, the machine above labelled "XL" was also available labelled as a "Junior" with the same identical case. Why, is anyone's guess!

I have seen the XL with a Crescendo Junior soundbox too. Could this be an earlier incarnation with the metal diaphragm following on and then ultimately carried over to the new range "Junior"?

Thank you for your input and for the photo.

[alang]

Just a thought, could XL been a quickly abandoned attempt to start using roman numerals? XL would translate to 40, meaning a Decca Model 40? No evidence, just a wild guess

I still regret not buying a Decca in a beautiful brown leather case with copper horn/reflector when I had the chance

Andreas

[Inigo]

Same with me... not buying a flamant Columbia 109/112/201 ??? on a stitched leather case with gilded hardware.... I still lament for that...