Sonata Reproducer?

[RAK402]

I recently picked up a Waters Conly "Phonola" portable from Ebay. It looks like it might be a Birch, but I do not know enough to tell.

The reproducer says "Sonata" and "Made in Switzerland" on it. The reproducer looks brand new, to me, so I am wondering if it is really Swiss or now, or if it might be a "Crapophone" reproducer.

It has an aluminum diaphragm, sandwiched between two paper gaskets. The main casting is pot metal, and looks brand new.

I found a photograph of one that looks just like it:

http://collection-frioud.ch/view.php?Id ... 764&IdG=38

Any information on the age and lineage of the phonograph itself would be greatly appreciated as well.


Thank you all in advance.

[uberanalog]

Very late to this thread but ..... I'm holding the EXACT reproducer in my hand. Got it in a "box o reproducers" from the bay. Mine is stamped " His Masters Voice" on the top and SOUND BOX" on the bottom. Have you listened to it? Crapophone for sure.
charlie

[Joe_DS]

I agree, the sound box that came with the one you have looks exactly like the type found on most Crap-O-Phones.

Phonola portable phonographs (by Waters Conley) were popular in the US market, starting in the later 1930s, well into the 1940s. They are relatively cheaply made, compared to the earlier high quality models by HMV, Victor, Columbia, etc.--using pressed paper composite horns, and pot metal tonearms, but nonetheless, don't sound so bad once the sound box has been reconditioned with fresh, soft gaskets, and the rubber back connector has been replaced.

The correct sound box would have a relatively heavy pot-metal back, an aluminum diaphragm, and a front chrome plated mask--of varying styles and patterns. The needle bar was held in place at the pivot by two sharply pointed screws--one on either side--secured with locking nuts.

To see what the correct sound box should look like, do a Google image search for this phrase:

phonograph Phonola OR "Waters Conley"

(FYI, Here's a typical example of the correct sound box -- http://www.victrolarepairservice.com/Sales/Phonola.html )

I've owned a couple of Phonola portables, over the years, and if I recall correctly, there was no brand name on either the front or back of the sound box.

HTH,
Joe

[estott]

A replacement at best. the SONATA might be a genuine stamp, the crapophone makers often take genuine (but cheap) parts and put new names on them. If it fits properly and sounds OK, use it. Waters-Conley machines were decent mass production machines from the 30's-40's. The company lineage goes back to the Conley Camera Co. which produced it's products for Sears Roebuck in the 1900's. After the market for wood bodied cameras dried up they diversified.

[gramophone78]

The Sonata is in the 1936 Thorens Catalog and was probably offered a few years earlier. RAK402....I would suggest posting a photo of the actual item you have when inquiring. It makes it easier for a member to help you.... .

Throens 1936 Catalog.jpg (51.29 KiB) Viewed 3211 times

[Steve]

The soundboxes stating "Sonata" on them are the type shown in the scan provided above. As per the weblink given in the OP, these are perfectly GENUINE original soundboxes, albeit still hopelessly incorrect for your Walters Conley machine!

The REPRO specimens all have "His Master's Voice" stamped into them. This is simply because the name "HMV" is synonymous with GENUINE gramophones and the fakers know that unsuspecting members of the public will identify with the brand name and assume (incorrectly) that the Crap-o-phone bearing such a travesty must be genuine!

The Sonata boxes are actually pretty good! The fake s/boxes looking superficially similar but bearing the name "HMV" are most certainly not.

[RAK402]

Thank you all for the replies!

I will take a photograph of the reproducer.

It does look exactly like the "Crap-O-Phone" sound boxes (also exactly like the one in gramophone78's photograph, above) except for the lettering, and looks absolutely new (inside and out-I had to take it apart as I could see that the aluminum diaphragm was kinked in the center near the stylus bar-it straightened out with no problem). The gaskets are paper, as opposed to the rubber tubing I have seen in the only other soundbox I have worked on.

It plays loud and clear so, for the time being, I will keep it on the machine.

[gramophone78]

Thank you all for the replies!

I will take a photograph of the reproducer.

It does look exactly like the "Crap-O-Phone" sound boxes (also exactly like the one in gramophone78's photograph, above) except for the lettering, and looks absolutely new

What!!!!....????. Now we are even more confused. It looks "exactly" like the one I posted out of a 1936 catalog......except for the lettering....???. So, where did you did the "Sonata" name from...??.
If it is stamped "exactly" like the one you posted from a website (original) and the one in the catalog (original).........then, it is "not" from a crapophone.

As Steve has tried to explain.....if it is stamped "His Master's Voice"......then it is likely a crapophone part.

This is why it is always better to post a least one photo of the item you are asking about in order to get the right answer your looking for.

[estott]

Some of these parts are genuine and "brand new" - Thorens was making these into the 1960's and unused motors, soundboxes and other pieces were found in a warehouse- other crapophones use the pieces from well preserved portables.

[RAK402]

"As Steve has tried to explain.....if it is stamped "His Master's Voice"......then it is likely a crapophone part.

This is why it is always better to post a least one photo of the item you are asking about in order to get the right answer your looking for."

Agreed, sir!

That is what I found confusing-the reproducer looks brand new, inside and out. It does say "Sonata" and "Thorens" on it, as opposed to "His Master's Voice."

I will take a photograph and apologize for not doing so, initially.

This statement from estott is particularly intriguing:

"Some of these parts are genuine and "brand new" - Thorens was making these into the 1960's and unused motors, soundboxes and other pieces were found in a warehouse- other crapophones use the pieces from well preserved portables."

Thank you all for the information-this is getting more interesting all the time.