The Tonalic Sonara

[rosey351]

Hi my name is Rose and I am brand new to this, what I would like is some information I a gramophone thingy I have. I have taken some pictures and when I figure out how to download I will for all to see. What I have is a free standing gramophone it is made of timber has two doors at the front when opened there is some lovely timber scrolling with what looks like to me a type of (flyscreen) or light coloured material. The top opens up and there is the record bit and some gold coloured dial to the right bottom of that and on the left hand corner there are three different gold little dish things with needles in them, the handle is to the right outside part of the gramophone, In the inside of the lid it is written The Tonalic Sonara, and on a metal plate under that is (Sole Agents Allans Ltd, Randall Street Adelaid. It is immaculate condition and works beautifully there is no power to it just the wind up thing. Could anyone tell me what it is worth, as I cant find much on it on the net. I am interested in selling it . Thank you all for your time and help.

[solophoneman]

Hi my name is Rose and I am brand new to this, what I would like is some information I a gramophone thingy I have. I have taken some pictures and when I figure out how to download I will for all to see. What I have is a free standing gramophone it is made of timber has two doors at the front when opened there is some lovely timber scrolling with what looks like to me a type of (flyscreen) or light coloured material. The top opens up and there is the record bit and some gold coloured dial to the right bottom of that and on the left hand corner there are three different gold little dish things with needles in them, the handle is to the right outside part of the gramophone, In the inside of the lid it is written The Tonalic Sonara, and on a metal plate under that is (Sole Agents Allans Ltd, Randall Street Adelaid. It is immaculate condition and works beautifully there is no power to it just the wind up thing. Could anyone tell me what it is worth, as I cant find much on it on the net. I am interested in selling it . Thank you all for your time and help.

Are you sure it says Sonara and not Sonora ? Photos would help immensely in identifying and pricing this machine. Looking forward to seeing them. Sounds very interesting.

[rosey351]

Sorry yes it does say Sonora and i managed to down load some phots, it does play beautiful music I listened to a record last night.
cheers

[solophoneman]

Sorry yes it does say Sonora and i managed to down load some phots, it does play beautiful music I listened to a record last night.
cheers

wow !! Now there is something you do not see very often at all. Obviously an Orthophonic era Sonora !! made sometime around late 1925 to around 1930 or there-a-bouts. I would venture to say you have an phonograph here that most collectors who are viewing right now, have either never seen before or do not have in their collections or both. Now what is it worth? that is going to take some research to see if any have sold recently. Thanks for posting this extremely rare item.

[OrthoFan]

That looks like a mid-size or mid/large size cabinet model, probably designed to compete with the Victrola VV-8-4.

"Orthophonic era," refers to the fact that this was one of several models that hit the market after the introduction of electrical recording, in 1925. The Orthophonic Victrola is probably the best known acoustic phonograph designed to play these records with enhanced fidelity--strong bass, mid-range and noticeable treble.

Your Tonalic Sonora looks to be in very good condition, but I don't think that's the original sound box (reproducer) on the end of the tonearm. Based on the photo of the Sonora model in "The Talking Machine, An Illustrated Compendium," it should be gold colored to match the tone arm, and equipped with an aluminum diaphragm. A "mask" with long slots, covers the front of the sound box.

Hunting down the correct replacement sound box might be a challenge, considering the fact that these mid to late Orthophonic knock-offs are relatively scarce, compared to the Victor and Columbia models. Nonetheless, it would probably be of interest to some collectors.

As for an estimated price range, it's hard to say. Prices have fallen over the past few years, and models that once sold in the $1,500 range are now selling for less than $500.

I'd say, your best bet, if you plan to sell it, would be to put it on eBay. (Can't say what the "reserve price," if any, should be.)

[ColoradoPhonograf]

Hello,

Your Sonora is made of walnut, and yes, ideally it should have the gold colored Sonora reproducer (the needle head thingy). I have a similar machine which is just slightly different but has most of the same characteristics. My model is called the Symphony and has a gold tag with that model information underneath the turntable. Just lift off the metal turntable (it just lifts off) and you should be able to find a model tag under there. It appears yours has record storage compartments on each side of the sound chamber. Mine has lift up panels once you open the front doors and the records are in books above the sound chamber area. From my research they were made about 1925-1926 and very well built and sound fantastic. They have very smooth quiet large motors. Ebay is probably your best approach to reach the biggest audience, but shipping costs of such a heavy machine may hinder high bidders. I would expect to see a price of $600 -$700 if I found one in very nice condition at a local shop. You have a very nice machine there. I like that Sunray motif on the front. Here is a picture of my machine for comparison.

Hope this helps.

Colorado Phonograf

[Henry]

It does appear to be walnut on the outside, but under the lid and the motorboard look like red mahagony to me. Is this possible? Maybe it's the light or camera. In any case, it sure is a nice machine. I'd compare it to the Victor 8-12 medium-large Ortho.

[estott]

I'd say the case is a combination of walnut and mahogany. Quite handsome but the substitute soundbox hurts it. It's a typical European style soundbox made to fit inside the arm and a rather crude attachment has been made to attach it. It's possible that a good aftermarket soundbox of the era (like a Goldring) might fit and give better results.

[ColoradoPhonograf]

Now that I look at the interior woods a bit more, I think you may be right the interior may be mahogany. I think it is probably stained in a dark walnut color, but the camera flash brings out the redness that mahogany exhibits.

ColoradoPhonograf

[rosey351]

Ok I have lifted of the turntable and it says, "manufactured in New York by sonata Inc. Intermezzo 30R No 6-17519. Can this all help in the valuation of it.