EMG gramophone

[emgcr]

Well done Steve, you have one of the world’s great bargains. A lifetime of happiness ahead. So pleased for you and please don’t forget to chase that spare motor ! Happy days indeed……..

Thank you, Graham. Yes, I'm looking forward to bringing it home soon. Regarding that motor, it obviously isn't included with the gramophone so would you know if Ian happened to store it with other spares he owned?

Yes he did so probably best to make contact through the auctioneers.

[Calle]

Steve - congrats with the great machine !
I was doubting to bid, but as already having an EMG Mark Xb and the problems getting it over to mainland Europe (customs), well

But it‘s now in good hands and, most important, not sold to Japan or China

[Steve]

Steve - congrats with the great machine !
I was doubting to bid, but as already having an EMG Mark Xb and the problems getting it over to mainland Europe (customs), well

But it‘s now in good hands and, most important, not sold to Japan or China

Thanks for the kind words. I know exactly what you mean about customs. I've currently got three separate claims running against UK Port Authorities for their incorrect customs charges on three items I've imported over the past six months. Its a headache dealing with the paperwork and they seem to make it as tiresome and difficult as possible.

[Steve]

Part 1 of the trip. Its in the van and I've claimed it as my own.

[poodling around]

Part 1 of the trip. Its in the van and I've claimed it as my own.

So, what was 'Part 2' of the trip and did you move the gramophone into the van a bit more before slamming the door ?

[Steve]

Part 1 was the epic five and a half hour drive to the auction house to discover the highly rated cafe next door had just closed. I was hungry and incredibly thirsty by this time so this wasn't exactly ideal. The M6 was an ordeal I don't wish to be reacquainted with any time soon.

With the machine loaded up as you see, that was the end of Part 1. It didn't simply stay like that. I had a box of bubble wrap with me and several blankets and sleeping bags. With plenty of time on my hands by virtue of nowhere close by to grab a decent coffee, and only after meeting up with fellow collector, Adam, from this forum to hand-over some parts he'd bought from me as we'd pre-arranged to meet, I started the task of attempting to wrap and wedge the horn so it wouldn't move. It took about 45 minutes in all.

Part 2 was the shorter trip home of about three and a half hours using exactly the same route. Go figure! I only stopped briefly at Nantwich services to grab a coffee and a sandwich (not recommended). I arrived home about 10pm and unloaded the machine and horn before taking the van back to Stratford-Upon-Avon where I'd hired it from. Now just try to picture me carrying that horn in the dark up a narrow garden path, through some trees and through a pair of side doors. The bulb on my side security light had unhelpfully decided to stop working on this night so I was literally in the dark!!!! We don't have street lighting where I am and there is no "borrowed light" from neighbouring propertie either!

Anyway I'm pleased to say it all went well and the machine at least arrived home safely in the same condition it left in. I'm not so sure about me but that's another story and isn't important here!!

Somewhat oddly, every screw which holds the tone arm in place and the internal conduit is sadly missing because that was how Ian used the machine apparently. Graham has kindly agreed to help me fix this issue so I'm looking forward to getting that sorted very soon. The motor is loose and not secured either but none of these are particularly difficult things to fix.

The soundbox should normally be a 4 spring type, you are correct, but I, much like Ian evidently, prefer the two spring versions. I do have an earlier 4 spring "long bar" EMG soundbox but for some reason the rubber isolator doesn't quite grip the tonearm? I'm happy with the two spring anyway although it was slightly damaged when I collected the machine. Someone had unhelpfully knocked the stylus bar clean off of its mounting and bent the diaphragm end out of line in the process.

Fortunately I have fixed this temporarily but I will rebuild it again at some point to improve the soundbox further. It is an excellent performer but is quite obviously being held back at the moment. The horn and case are fabulous, surely as good an example as any in the world.

If you're still with me, thanks for reading this far!

[Inigo]

Nice story... Glad you're well and safe at home with the machine. What an ordeal!
The reason for using the machine with the loose tonearm and conduit... could we know why? Did Ian ever explained this? Was it to help a fine adjustment of tracking or something alike?
I didn't know if this machine until I watched the yt videos, one of them very interesting: an experiment of its horn playing installed on an HMV31 base unit. That experiment was carried on by Ian and... Graham...? or any other colleague, and was filmed herein:
https://youtu.be/9P1trPQYh_s?si=aQqqkkDYGa484HHm
Ian yt channel herein:
https://www.youtube.com/@madian44/videos
There are several videos of this machine playing.

[poodling around]

Part 1 was the epic five and a half hour drive to the auction house to discover the highly rated cafe next door had just closed. I was hungry and incredibly thirsty by this time so this wasn't exactly ideal. The M6 was an ordeal I don't wish to be reacquainted with any time soon.

With the machine loaded up as you see, that was the end of Part 1. It didn't simply stay like that. I had a box of bubble wrap with me and several blankets and sleeping bags. With plenty of time on my hands by virtue of nowhere close by to grab a decent coffee, and only after meeting up with fellow collector, Adam, from this forum to hand-over some parts he'd bought from me as we'd pre-arranged to meet, I started the task of attempting to wrap and wedge the horn so it wouldn't move. It took about 45 minutes in all.

Part 2 was the shorter trip home of about three and a half hours using exactly the same route. Go figure! I only stopped briefly at Nantwich services to grab a coffee and a sandwich (not recommended). I arrived home about 10pm and unloaded the machine and horn before taking the van back to Stratford-Upon-Avon where I'd hired it from. Now just try to picture me carrying that horn in the dark up a narrow garden path, through some trees and through a pair of side doors. The bulb on my side security light had unhelpfully decided to stop working on this night so I was literally in the dark!!!! We don't have street lighting where I am and there is no "borrowed light" from neighbouring propertie either!

Anyway I'm pleased to say it all went well and the machine at least arrived home safely in the same condition it left in. I'm not so sure about me but that's another story and isn't important here!!

Somewhat oddly, every screw which holds the tone arm in place and the internal conduit is sadly missing because that was how Ian used the machine apparently. Graham has kindly agreed to help me fix this issue so I'm looking forward to getting that sorted very soon. The motor is loose and not secured either but none of these are particularly difficult things to fix.

The soundbox should normally be a 4 spring type, you are correct, but I, much like Ian evidently, prefer the two spring versions. I do have an earlier 4 spring "long bar" EMG soundbox but for some reason the rubber isolator doesn't quite grip the tonearm? I'm happy with the two spring anyway although it was slightly damaged when I collected the machine. Someone had unhelpfully knocked the stylus bar clean off of its mounting and bent the diaphragm end out of line in the process.

Fortunately I have fixed this temporarily but I will rebuild it again at some point to improve the soundbox further. It is an excellent performer but is quite obviously being held back at the moment. The horn and case are fabulous, surely as good an example as any in the world.

If you're still with me, thanks for reading this far!

Great to read about this !

I wondered about whether you used anything to wrap up the items safely during transportation. Good to see that was taken care of. Really pleased that it is in such good condition. This is what I would call 'The King Of EMG's' !

Where I live is lit up like a maximum security prison excercise yard ! You have to wear sun-glasses out-side at night what with several neighbours 2,000 watt security lights, dazzling street lights and regularly passing patrolling police helicopter search lights !

Sorry to hear you were 'hungry and incredibly thirsty' on the way back. Here's a 'top-tip' when you go on your next long adventure take a picnic basket with you ! It fills up nicely with coffee, sausage rolls, sandwiches etc ! We always take this with us to auctions:

[Steve]

Part 1 was the epic five and a half hour drive to the auction house to discover the highly rated cafe next door had just closed. I was hungry and incredibly thirsty by this time so this wasn't exactly ideal. The M6 was an ordeal I don't wish to be reacquainted with any time soon.

With the machine loaded up as you see, that was the end of Part 1. It didn't simply stay like that. I had a box of bubble wrap with me and several blankets and sleeping bags. With plenty of time on my hands by virtue of nowhere close by to grab a decent coffee, and only after meeting up with fellow collector, Adam, from this forum to hand-over some parts he'd bought from me as we'd pre-arranged to meet, I started the task of attempting to wrap and wedge the horn so it wouldn't move. It took about 45 minutes in all.

Part 2 was the shorter trip home of about three and a half hours using exactly the same route. Go figure! I only stopped briefly at Nantwich services to grab a coffee and a sandwich (not recommended). I arrived home about 10pm and unloaded the machine and horn before taking the van back to Stratford-Upon-Avon where I'd hired it from. Now just try to picture me carrying that horn in the dark up a narrow garden path, through some trees and through a pair of side doors. The bulb on my side security light had unhelpfully decided to stop working on this night so I was literally in the dark!!!! We don't have street lighting where I am and there is no "borrowed light" from neighbouring propertie either!

Anyway I'm pleased to say it all went well and the machine at least arrived home safely in the same condition it left in. I'm not so sure about me but that's another story and isn't important here!!

Somewhat oddly, every screw which holds the tone arm in place and the internal conduit is sadly missing because that was how Ian used the machine apparently. Graham has kindly agreed to help me fix this issue so I'm looking forward to getting that sorted very soon. The motor is loose and not secured either but none of these are particularly difficult things to fix.

The soundbox should normally be a 4 spring type, you are correct, but I, much like Ian evidently, prefer the two spring versions. I do have an earlier 4 spring "long bar" EMG soundbox but for some reason the rubber isolator doesn't quite grip the tonearm? I'm happy with the two spring anyway although it was slightly damaged when I collected the machine. Someone had unhelpfully knocked the stylus bar clean off of its mounting and bent the diaphragm end out of line in the process.

Fortunately I have fixed this temporarily but I will rebuild it again at some point to improve the soundbox further. It is an excellent performer but is quite obviously being held back at the moment. The horn and case are fabulous, surely as good an example as any in the world.

If you're still with me, thanks for reading this far!

Great to read about this !

I wondered about whether you used anything to wrap up the items safely during transportation. Good to see that was taken care of. Really pleased that it is in such good condition. This is what I would call 'The King Of EMG's' !

Where I live is lit up like a maximum security prison excercise yard ! You have to wear sun-glasses out-side at night what with several neighbours 2,000 watt security lights, dazzling street lights and regularly passing patrolling police helicopter search lights !

Sorry to hear you were 'hungry and incredibly thirsty' on the way back. Here's a 'top-tip' when you go on your next long adventure take a picnic basket with you ! It fills up nicely with coffee, sausage rolls, sandwiches etc ! We always take this with us to auctions:

It looks great but I'm more of an "eat on the go" person unless I'm relaxing and enjoying good company at the same time. I thought for a moment you were going to reveal that you had one of those Decca portable gramophone / picnic hamper combos similar to the one Chunny bought from Ebay a year or two back! Now, that might make me stop and relax for a few hours!

I did take a few sandwiches and a cold drink with me (it was one of the warmest days this year) but these were rapidly consumed whilst sat in stationary traffic on the motorway!

[poodling around]

Part 1 was the epic five and a half hour drive to the auction house to discover the highly rated cafe next door had just closed. I was hungry and incredibly thirsty by this time so this wasn't exactly ideal. The M6 was an ordeal I don't wish to be reacquainted with any time soon.

With the machine loaded up as you see, that was the end of Part 1. It didn't simply stay like that. I had a box of bubble wrap with me and several blankets and sleeping bags. With plenty of time on my hands by virtue of nowhere close by to grab a decent coffee, and only after meeting up with fellow collector, Adam, from this forum to hand-over some parts he'd bought from me as we'd pre-arranged to meet, I started the task of attempting to wrap and wedge the horn so it wouldn't move. It took about 45 minutes in all.

Part 2 was the shorter trip home of about three and a half hours using exactly the same route. Go figure! I only stopped briefly at Nantwich services to grab a coffee and a sandwich (not recommended). I arrived home about 10pm and unloaded the machine and horn before taking the van back to Stratford-Upon-Avon where I'd hired it from. Now just try to picture me carrying that horn in the dark up a narrow garden path, through some trees and through a pair of side doors. The bulb on my side security light had unhelpfully decided to stop working on this night so I was literally in the dark!!!! We don't have street lighting where I am and there is no "borrowed light" from neighbouring propertie either!

Anyway I'm pleased to say it all went well and the machine at least arrived home safely in the same condition it left in. I'm not so sure about me but that's another story and isn't important here!!

Somewhat oddly, every screw which holds the tone arm in place and the internal conduit is sadly missing because that was how Ian used the machine apparently. Graham has kindly agreed to help me fix this issue so I'm looking forward to getting that sorted very soon. The motor is loose and not secured either but none of these are particularly difficult things to fix.

The soundbox should normally be a 4 spring type, you are correct, but I, much like Ian evidently, prefer the two spring versions. I do have an earlier 4 spring "long bar" EMG soundbox but for some reason the rubber isolator doesn't quite grip the tonearm? I'm happy with the two spring anyway although it was slightly damaged when I collected the machine. Someone had unhelpfully knocked the stylus bar clean off of its mounting and bent the diaphragm end out of line in the process.

Fortunately I have fixed this temporarily but I will rebuild it again at some point to improve the soundbox further. It is an excellent performer but is quite obviously being held back at the moment. The horn and case are fabulous, surely as good an example as any in the world.

If you're still with me, thanks for reading this far!

Great to read about this !

I wondered about whether you used anything to wrap up the items safely during transportation. Good to see that was taken care of. Really pleased that it is in such good condition. This is what I would call 'The King Of EMG's' !

Where I live is lit up like a maximum security prison excercise yard ! You have to wear sun-glasses out-side at night what with several neighbours 2,000 watt security lights, dazzling street lights and regularly passing patrolling police helicopter search lights !

Sorry to hear you were 'hungry and incredibly thirsty' on the way back. Here's a 'top-tip' when you go on your next long adventure take a picnic basket with you ! It fills up nicely with coffee, sausage rolls, sandwiches etc ! We always take this with us to auctions:

It looks great but I'm more of an "eat on the go" person unless I'm relaxing and enjoying good company at the same time. I thought for a moment you were going to reveal that you had one of those Decca portable gramophone / picnic hamper combos similar to the one Chunny bought from Ebay a year or two back! Now, that might make me stop and relax for a few hours!

I did take a few sandwiches and a cold drink with me (it was one of the warmest days this year) but these were rapidly consumed whilst sat in stationary traffic on the motorway!

Oh yes ! It seems very similar to Chunny's so maybe mine was the 'non gramophone' option.

My only consolation is that I think I can fit more sandwiches in it.