For the do it yourselfer

[Lenoirstreetguy]

This is an ad from the November 1923 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine. Did one put one's own name on the underside of the lid? Looks as if they sent you a knock down machine which you then assembled.

Jim

[SonnyPhono]

How coincidental?! I bought an off brand phonograph two days ago not knowing much about it and it turns out it's the one pictured in ad you posted! I bought it because it's in really good condition and was very cheap. I wonder if the phonograph pictured actually represents what they would send to build. If so, my off cheap off brand just became a little more interesting in my opinion. Thanks for posting this!

[solophoneman]

Does the Reproducer Head swivel so you can play verticals as well as lateral groove records ? It looks like it might. Just curious.

[SonnyPhono]

I hadn't tried to swivel the reproducer head until you pointed that out. Yes, the reproducer swivels nicely to play vertically cut records too. I don't normally have much interest in off branders, but the ID plate says it was made right here in Columbus.



It is serial #1506. Has anyone else seen or owned a Mastertone before? I haven't done much searching for company info yet as it was a busy weekend. Is it possible that The Phelps Factories purchased a bunch of these "do it yourself" phonographs and put their ID plates on them to try to jump into the phonograph market? The ad does mention how one could "Make fine profit...". Maybe it was cheaper for a company to buy the "do it yourself" kits rather then to invest in the equipment, materials, man hours etc. needed to manufacture a phonograph from the ground up.

[SonnyPhono]

Here is another on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-MASTERTONE- ... 0572582752

[Amberola 1-A]

I don't know if it's the same company, but if you scroll down to # 140 in the list, Mastertone is mentioned.

Bill

http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

[SonnyPhono]

I'm not sure that is the same company. There is a bit of information in the response to this question submitted to the Editor of Presto in 1920.


Lansing, Michigan, November 24, 1920.

Editor Presto: Enclosed please find check for
$2.00 for 1 year's subscription to Presto. What do
you know about the Lyric Record? The Operollo
Phonograph?
Can you advise me of some very moderate priced
piano to handle? Something I can use as a leader
to reach the people of moderate means. What do
you know about the Mastertone Phonograph Co.
and machine?
Yours very truly,

ERNEST C. MOORE.

The Operollo phonograph is listed as being manufactured
in Detroit, Mich. We know nothing further
about it. The Mastertone was made in New
York City but a recent communication from there
say that it has been discontinued. The name is
one which has been used quite commonly in the industry
and there may be others in the market of
which we know nothing. We are not posted as to
the Lyric record though it is said to come from the
Goodvear Rubber Co.
It may be well for you to consult a Presto Buyers'
Guide for suitable pianos and we will pass upon any
instruments you may think you would like to handle.

I wonder if the company in New York discontinued it's production due to The Phelps Factories, (and apparently others)using the same name. The response written above was from November, 1920. Here is an earlier ad introducing The Phelps Factories and their Mastertone phonograph in January, 1920. (Middle column near bottom.)

http://www.arcade-museum.com/presto/PRE ... 746-57.pdf

[Amberola 1-A]

That's pretty interesting about other companies using the same name. This is a perfect example of how someone can use a name as a Trademark, but unless they register it and get that 'little R in the circle' and be protected, anyone can use it.

Bill

[solophoneman]

I asked about the phonograph because it looked very familiar. As it turns out a friend of ours who does House Clean outs, left one like this on my front porch about 3 months ago. It had the same case and grill and swivel type head and someone had painted it with White House Paint !! Yuk !! The strange thing about it is that it obviously had a phoney ID plate in it, which Identified it as a Pathé Solophone Model 125. I knew it was not a Pathé Solophone 125, because I have one, and nothing about it resembles either a Pathé or Solophone Phonograph. I theorize that some local dealer in this area, put this homemade phonograph together many years ago, perhaps several, and had come across some Pathé Solophone Model 125 ID plates that he affixed to this do-it-yourself Phonograph to make it look like had come from a Phonograph Company. Very interesting that the exact same phonograph type should show up here on TMF.