Meltrope 3c Sound-box ?

[poodling around]

I am probably the last person to know but I didn't know that this was called a '3c'. (I think that is what it says and not '30').

I have one of these but the reverse doesn't say 'British Made' in such large letters nor '3c' - I haven't seen these markings before.

Maybe this is a later one ?

Anyway, just in case this is of interest.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236641210982 ... R5rXko-OZw

[Steve]

Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

[epigramophone]

Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

Times have changed. Many collectors now recognise that the Meltrope is the best soundbox this side of an EMG. According to the Frank James book, even EMG themselves supplied it as an alternative to their own soundbox on the Mark IV and the Mark VIII.

[Orchorsol]

Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

Times have changed. Many collectors now recognise that the Meltrope is the best soundbox this side of an EMG. According to the Frank James book, even EMG themselves supplied it as an alternative to their own soundbox on the Mark IV and the Mark VIII.

Agreed. I see them sell for much higher prices than this in good condition. This one seems to have pot metal cracking however.

I haven't heard of a 3c either, but the 3a has a socket into which fits a range of collets (instead of a needle screw) - that variant tends to be much more costly.

[poodling around]

Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

Times have changed. Many collectors now recognise that the Meltrope is the best soundbox this side of an EMG. According to the Frank James book, even EMG themselves supplied it as an alternative to their own soundbox on the Mark IV and the Mark VIII.

Agreed. I see them sell for much higher prices than this in good condition. This one seems to have pot metal cracking however.

I haven't heard of a 3c either, but the 3a has a socket into which fits a range of collets (instead of a needle screw) - that variant tends to be much more costly.

Very interesting.

As you mention, it is not in the best of condition but might be a nice display item with the unusual reverse markings.

Who knows, it might turn out to be in better condition than the photographs seem to indicate and restorable with care.

[jamiegramo]

Coincidentally I have just acquired a Meltrope 3 soundbox. A derelict one found attached to an equally derelict HMV hornless machine from an attic. But can it be saved?

[poodling around]

Coincidentally I have just acquired a Meltrope 3 soundbox. A derelict one found attached to an equally derelict HMV hornless machine from an attic. But can it be saved?

If the diaphragm is okay then I would say it definitely can be saved.

I wonder if the back twists off ? - I have several different versions of this style of Meltrope 3 and non of them do. However, they can be connected to the tone-arm quite easily with a new rubber part.

[jamiegramo]

Coincidentally I have just acquired a Meltrope 3 soundbox. A derelict one found attached to an equally derelict HMV hornless machine from an attic. But can it be saved?

If the diaphragm is okay then I would say it definitely can be saved.

I wonder if the back twists off ? - I have several different versions of this style of Meltrope 3 and non of them do. However, they can be connected to the tone-arm quite easily with a new rubber part.

The diaphragm has a couple of creases at the edge but I believe they could be flattened. The back should unscrew but is seized.

[poodling around]

Coincidentally I have just acquired a Meltrope 3 soundbox. A derelict one found attached to an equally derelict HMV hornless machine from an attic. But can it be saved?

If the diaphragm is okay then I would say it definitely can be saved.

I wonder if the back twists off ? - I have several different versions of this style of Meltrope 3 and non of them do. However, they can be connected to the tone-arm quite easily with a new rubber part.

The diaphragm has a couple of creases at the edge but I believe they could be flattened. The back should unscrew but is seized.

Sounds restorable then I think.

It may not 'look pretty' to some but hey, I think it deserves a second chance.

I meant to say earlier that three of my Meltrope 3's with this specific style of front cover have all got seized back covers. I guess it is a common problem. Trying to 'force it' off of course could well cause the sound-box to break. (Pot metal swelling apparently).

However, replacing the old 'red/pink' rear rubber fixing with one of the newly made soft 'red/pink rear rubber fixing / rings found on ebay should ensure that it fits onto the tone-arm easily without any unscewing being required. (Famous last words) ...

I did this to my 'daily play sound-box' (marked 'Meltrope 4') and it sounds very good indeed.

[epigramophone]

I wonder if the back twists off ? - I have several different versions of this style of Meltrope 3 and non of them do. However, they can be connected to the tone-arm quite easily with a new rubber part.

Before a new rubber can be fitted the old rubber needs to be removed, and this can be difficult with the compression ring seized on.
The old rubber can degrade to the consistency of hardened glue. Don't ask me how I know......