The Tonalic Sonara

[gramophoneshane]

It's a very nice machine, but here in Australia, I doubt you would get more than about $400-$500 IF it had the original gold soundbox, but without it, that would probably drop to somewhere around $250-$300.
These types of machines are not rare here in Australia. We were far slower to get electricity to many parts of the country, so the market for wind-up gramophones was still huge in the late 20s & early 30s, & American & English manufacturers sent obsolete & slow moving stock here by the boat load.
The same fly screen grille cloth was used in some of our home grown models in around 1928/29, so I would say your machine would also date from around that period or maybe a year or so earlier.
These use nice looking motors made by Paillard of Switzerland, and the other parts such as the tonearm, speed control & original soundbox are made by them too.
Both Sonora & Paillard soundboxes turn up on Oz ebay from time to time, but gold plated versions dont appear as frequently as the nickel plated variety.
I dont thing Paillard started manufacturing the swan-neck tonearms until 1926, and the early version had a rear support bracket, so I doubt your machine (or the other one posted) were made before 1927, or late 1926 at the earliest.

[Guest]

Hi thanks for all the info but everyone seems to have very different opinions, so it is hard to decide on what i should sell it for, but i think advertising it in a local paper first might be the way to go, as transporting it could be a problem. thanks

[James]

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.

Our family have one like that when I was around six, it is already retired in the attic. I used to go up to play it. Yes, the reproducer is wrong. It was gold plated brass like the tone arm, and I think on both sides of the reproducer is a profile of a man's face, very unsual. If you check the internal horn is steel it curve at the top end, at that point the metal is cast iron. My father bought in California brand new, probably 1928, judging on the records that came with it, like 'Tip Toe Thru the Tulip' by Johnny Mavin. It was too bad my parents junk it when I went to University.

James.

[Yvonne]

I have one similar to what you are describing. The picture did not come through. Can you post another one?

Yvonne


[quote="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
[/quote]

[Guest]

I have one of these, but the date on it is 1913.

[quote="Yvonne"]I have one similar to what you are describing. The picture did not come through. Can you post another one?

Yvonne


[quote="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
[/quote][/quote]