Expert All-Range gramophone - the ultimate acoustic machine

[Steve]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/276860821196 ... media=COPY

There is no better acoustic machine on the planet. I'm surprised it's less than £20,000 given that there are just 3 known survivors in the UK and this is the very best machine made by anyone anywhere in the world at anytime!

[epigramophone]

It is indeed the ultimate acoustic machine, but it's sheer size restricts it to homes with unusually wide doors.
The standard width of a domestic doorway in the UK is 30 inches. The All Range horn is 36 inches in diameter.
Even the eBay listing states that a window will have to be removed to enable the buyer to get the horn out.
I am well aware of the sad circumstances surrounding this sale and wish it every success, but potential buyers will need to measure carefully, for as Frank James warned in "The EMG Story" :

"Like marriage, contemplation of owning one of these over-size machines should not be undertaken lightly or frivolously. More than one new owner proudly arriving at his front door has been crestfallen to discover that he cannot get the horn into the house by any means at all................Windows have had to be removed, complete doors and door cases, even in one case a large section of wall."

My good friend and fellow forum member "Old Country Chemist" illustrates the potential consequences :

[emgcr]

Photo for long term viewing.

[Steve]

It is indeed the ultimate acoustic machine, but it's sheer size restricts it to homes with unusually wide doors.
The standard width of a domestic doorway in the UK is 30 inches. The All Range horn is 36 inches in diameter.
Even the eBay listing states that a window will have to be removed to enable the buyer to get the horn out.
I am well aware of the sad circumstances surrounding this sale and wish it every success, but potential buyers will need to measure carefully, for as Frank James warned in "The EMG Story" :

"Like marriage, contemplation of owning one of these over-size machines should not be undertaken lightly or frivolously. More than one new owner proudly arriving at his front door has been crestfallen to discover that he cannot get the horn into the house by any means at all................Windows have had to be removed, complete doors and door cases, even in one case a large section of wall."

My good friend and fellow forum member "Old Country Chemist" illustrates the potential consequences :

Can you please share with us? Isn't the listing Alex Kirtley's?

[epigramophone]

Alex's listing includes the statement that "The gramophone is being sold from a very well respected collection purely because of a need to generate money".
This led me to conclude that the machine is or was the property of Ian Maxted, who has been unwell for some time and sadly now requires full time care at considerable cost.
If my conclusion is incorrect I apologise. Perhaps Alex will read this post and clarify the position.

[emgcr]

This gramophone is indeed the one formerly owned by Ian Maxted but which was sold to the man who is now selling again. I had better not reveal his name as I do not have his permission to do so. It is Alex who has carried out the brilliant restoration and, as a result, has the commission to sell.

[Steve]

This gramophone is indeed the one formerly owned by Ian Maxted but which was sold to the man who is now selling again. I had better not reveal his name as I do not have his permission to do so. It is Alex who has carried out the brilliant restoration and, as a result, has the commission to sell.

Thank you, Graham. So was this sold quite recently to "the man who is now selling again"? I didn't see it appear at auction, otherwise I'd be curious to know what it sold for, not that that has any material bearing on what the seller now asks for it. Did Alex restore the horn or case or both and was this AFTER it was bought from Ian? Will anyone within the tiny circle of "connected" EMG/Expert enthusiasts in the UK be interested in buying it?
As much as I'd like to, I cannot buy it; I already have Ian's 10B Oversize Export and two other large EMG/Experts and just this week purchased an incredible G & T rarity.

I hope this finds another home in the UK very soon.

[emgcr]

It was a private sale a few years ago now but I am not at liberty to disclose the price I am afraid. However, I can say it did reflect the rarety. It was the horn which had had little boys jumping around inside it and the supporting strut had punctured the main bell. A tricky repair job but Alex was certainly the man to carry it out quite recently for the current owner.

[Steve]

It was a private sale a few years ago now but I am not at liberty to disclose the price I am afraid. However, I can say it did reflect the rarety. It was the horn which had had little boys jumping around inside it and the supporting strut had punctured the main bell. A tricky repair job but Alex was certainly the man to carry it out quite recently for the current owner.

That makes sense. Thanks again, Graham.

[Steve]

Apparently this is already in "one person's basket". I trust it is a large enough basket!