Bel Canto phonograph

ts_13 · Post by **ts_13** » Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:03 pm

Good afternoon all,

I picked up this attractive phonograph today. I am not familiar of this brand. Does anyone have any information on a Bel Canto? It's a very neat phonograph and the reproducer seems to rotate for verticle and lateral cut records.

Thank you
T

phonolamplighter · Post by **phonolamplighter** » Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:49 pm

Beautiful example!
The Belcanto Co. incorporated in New York, late 1918.
In May of 1919, the name of the machine was changed to Dusonto, claiming the name was too similar to that of another maker.

Benjamin_L · Post by **Benjamin_L** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:29 pm

phonolamplighter wrote: Thu Oct 12, 2023 11:49 pm Beautiful example!
The Belcanto Co. incorporated in New York, late 1918.
In May of 1919, the name of the machine was changed to Dusonto, claiming the name was too similar to that of another maker.

I believe this is the brand connected to the Recordeon Phonograph Company, not the earlier Belcanto Co. that made Dusonto.(Unless Recordeon supplied their cabinets?)

Recordeon was connected to the Heaney-Schwab Billiard Mfg. Co. of Milwaukee, a Billiard's company established in the 1880s. They later branched into the furniture trade becoming a major Milwaukee manufacturing firm. Recordeon made quite a few brands to be sold as budget models in various department stores.

(This is a model 8720 that dates to about 1922.)

GrandOpera5 · Post by **GrandOpera5** » Thu Nov 21, 2024 10:25 pm

Hi, Great to see this Bel Canto phonograph post. I just picked up a 1920 era "Belcanto" Astoria model (By Recordeon, based on some online research). I fixed up some mechanical issues and it runs great. It looks like a previous owner pulled out the castors, so is sits an inch or two lower than normal but looks and plays real nice. Attached is a pic. Cheers!

GrandOpera5 · Post by **GrandOpera5** » Tue Jan 07, 2025 11:21 am

Addendum: I also own a "General Sales Corporation" Recordeon Grand Opera Majestic model circa 1920 made in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA. Sharing a few pictures in case there are Recordeon "Grand Opera" fans out there who find this thread. I've had this Majestic model in my possession since the early 1970's and I enjoy it as a hobby.

Post by **JerryVan** » Tue Jan 07, 2025 11:44 am

Nice machines! Very clean, attractive cabinets.

Post by **Inigo** » Tue Jan 07, 2025 11:54 am

And what a good quality... Looks perfect, after 100 years!

GrandOpera5 · Post by **GrandOpera5** » Thu Jan 09, 2025 1:13 pm

Thanks. The Recordeon 'Grand Opera' Majestic has been in my family since the 1920's when new. It was very well made (including the Meisselbach #17 motor) and has been treated decently over the years, many spent in attics or basements

. Posting a couple pics of the Meisselbach motor and the clever Kirkman 'auto stop/brake' mechanism. Cheers all.