THE OFF BRAND / OFF-BRANDER THREAD

[m0xiemama]

I just bought this lovely fixer-upper for $30. It is a Rishell and finding information is impossible despite living in PA.



The lady refinishes furniture and someone just left it outseide her shop so she knew nothing about it.

[David Spanovich]

I just bought this lovely fixer-upper for $30. It is a Rishell and finding information is impossible despite living in PA.

The lady refinishes furniture and someone just left it outside her shop so she knew nothing about it.

There's some information about another Rishell model here:

http://www.phonoland.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4432

As noted in Joe Wakeman's article about off-brand talking machines -- http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml -- the company was started in 1916.

From time to time, Rishell catalogs appear on ebay. There was a 1920 catalog a few months ago, but the ad no longer appears. However, I was able to find this ad, showing a model similar to the one you have--with the exception of the "carved" applique above the grille--which dates from 1918:

FROM: http://books.google.com/books?id=aW4oAA ... 22&f=false

[m0xiemama]

Wow David. Thanks so much! That is more than I was able to find. I'll be on the lookout for the catalog and the add is great.

[epigramophone]

I have been following this thread with interest, and have noted that almost every machine featured carries a brand name, several of them British and well known to me.

What then is meant by "Off Brand"?

I think it would be helpful for UK members to know precisely what the term "Off Brand" is supposed to indicate, as it is not in general usage over here.

[estott]

It's a very loose and flexible term, but the closest UK analog would be what you often call "Assembled" gramophones. Off Brand machines were smaller companies usually with limited distribution, sometimes not outside of a particular state or region. Many were produced by furniture companies (such as the Rishell above) or by piano manufacturers. Quality varies- some are cheap crap, others are very well made, the weakest feature usually being a compromise tone arm to avoid litigation from Victor.

[epigramophone]

Thankyou. I was hoping that would be the case.

Some smaller manufacturers made a contribution to the science of sound reproduction out of all proportion to their size, EMG being the most obvious example.

Another innovative British machine which I have been researching recently is the Micro-Perophone Chromogram, which I might describe in a separate post at a later date.

[phonophan79]

Supergrand - "British to the last screw"

[phonophan79]

Ampliphonic

[phonophan79]

The Olympic - St. Louis, MO

[dutchman]

This thread is great. I'm debating whether to purchase a Amliphone or not,depends on whether he can find the crank to the machine. The seller (a man of few words which is a red flag) only posted several photos but I noticed a great photo near the end this thread especially the photo of the speaker area and cabinet trim.

Bill K