Interesting Tone Arm

[deghi]

Came across this portable on ebay with an odd tone arm I've never seen before. Mightv'e considered buying it if it wasn't all the way in Britain. Anyone ever seen anything like it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fantastic-Portable- ... 0211345472

[OrthoFan]

Gilbert Gramophones, mostly cabinet models, turn up from time to time on Cragslist, as well as eBay. Seems that the cabinet models are far more common than the portable version.


Gilbert's solution to the need for longer tone chambers, to meet the demands of electrical recording, was to lengthen the tonearm, rather than the horn--as was the case with most other manufacturers during the mid-to-late 1920s.


You might find this site of interest:

http://www.gilbert-gramophones.co.uk/history.htm

It provides illustrations of, and information about, the company's portable and cabinet models.

[AZ*]

Anyone ever seen anything like it?

Yes. I own one.

[OrthoFan]

Hi AZ:

Is the one you have like this one --

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ln8LzpODuM[/youtube]

or is it like the one for sale on eBay?

The Colonel's Gilbert portable sounds great in the video, which as you know, only captures a small spectrum of the sound, so it must sound fantastic in person.

(Wonder what happened to the O.P.?)

[AZ*]

OF,

Mine is like the one in the ebay auction. The only notable difference is that mine has the needle cup at the right rear of the motor board. This item appears to be missing from the one in the auction. You can see the round spot and screw holes where it once was in the auction photos. My Gilbert portable has a Garrard #12 motor. See pictures.

Sound quality from the Gilbert is pretty good. Close to the performance of the HMV 101 (which is very good), but not as good as the HMV 102 (with 5a/5b) or the RCA Victor 2-65. Bass is not as prominent on the Gilbert.

IMG_0134.JPG (71.83 KiB) Viewed 2009 times

IMG_0139.JPG (78.82 KiB) Viewed 2009 times

IMG_0122.JPG (74.74 KiB) Viewed 2009 times

IMG_0132.JPG (76.72 KiB) Viewed 2009 times

IMG_0126.JPG (75.44 KiB) Viewed 2009 times

[OrthoFan]

Hi AZ:

Many thanks. The one you have looks to be in excellent condition. Should be interesting to see what the one on the UK board sells for.

OF

[gramophoneshane]

AZ,
What type of diaphragm does your soundbox have- aluminium or painted steel?

[AZ*]

AZ,
What type of diaphragm does your soundbox have- aluminium or painted steel?

I haven't taken it apart, but the diaphragm appears to be painted white. Does that mean it's steel?

What's the difference in performance?

[gramophoneshane]

I've never actually heard one of these with an aluminium diaphragm, but I'd image they sound exactly the same as those supplied with the late "Pal" portable models.
Mine also has the painted diaphragm, which is a thin tin plated steel & I think they sound quite good.
The website mentions the Gilbert "Reflector" as having an aluminium diaphragm, but nothing is said about the painted steel version.
I have seen pictures online of this reproducer with what appears to be the aluminium diaphragm, but I dont know if Gilbert changed from steel to aluminium at some stage, or if the aluminium ones are replacements made by collectors who may think the steel was an unoriginal repair?
All examples I've ever personally seen in the wild & other collections have had painted steel though.

I've never come across the type used in the Colonel's video above to examine, but I'm guessing due to the full faced MofP mask, these will all have aluminium diaphragms.