The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Curt A wrote:What does a brass #4 cost and does anyone have one for sale?

Curt, Brass Victrola No. 4s are very scarce and expensive. As an alternative, brass HMV No. 4s can be had reasonably on www.ebay.co.uk

gramophone-georg wrote:

Curt A wrote:What does a brass #4 cost and does anyone have one for sale?

Curt, Brass Victrola No. 4s are very scarce and expensive. As an alternative, brass HMV No. 4s can be had reasonably on http://www.ebay.co.uk

The American Victor No.4s are not only scarce but are also made of pot metal and most have cracking problems. As far as I know, the British HMV No. 4s are nickel-plated brass. Neither is cheap in any condition unless you know a very kind and generous fellow collector.

Torjazzer wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:

Curt A wrote:What does a brass #4 cost and does anyone have one for sale?

Curt, Brass Victrola No. 4s are very scarce and expensive. As an alternative, brass HMV No. 4s can be had reasonably on http://www.ebay.co.uk

The American Victor No.4s are not only scarce but are also made of pot metal and most have cracking problems. As far as I know, the British HMV No. 4s are nickel-plated brass. Neither is cheap in any condition unless you know a very kind and generous fellow collector.

Not all of the American No. 4s are pot metal, I have a brass one

Torjazzer wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:

Curt A wrote:What does a brass #4 cost and does anyone have one for sale?

Curt, Brass Victrola No. 4s are very scarce and expensive. As an alternative, brass HMV No. 4s can be had reasonably on http://www.ebay.co.uk

The American Victor No.4s are not only scarce but are also made of pot metal and most have cracking problems. As far as I know, the British HMV No. 4s are nickel-plated brass. Neither is cheap in any condition unless you know a very kind and generous fellow collector.

IIRC, the American No. 4 is brass, but the much, much more common No. 4A is pot metal.

IIRC the Vic No. 4 can go either way and the 4A was always pot metal.

gramophone-georg wrote:IIRC the Vic No. 4 can go either way and the 4A was always pot metal.

If you come across a 4 that is not brass I'd be interested in see it. Note that the 4 and 4A both say 4 on the front, only on the back is where the "A" designation is shown. This is probably why folks use the terms 4 and 4A confusingly. 4? 4A? depends on if you are looking at the front or the back!

I'll also add that there is an Electrola 4 and 4A (brass & pot metal respectively) made for the German market which is similar to the HMV 4/4A.



Brandon, Yours is a little different than most. If that style did come in pot metal, I don't think I've seen one myself, so I could learn something here.

Here are pictures of a 4A that I have. I have owned two 1-70 machines and they both had this exact reproducer on them. I suspect it was the most common one in use. As you can see it is pot-metal.

The reproducer is in its original box. I don't think it was ever used. I tried it a couple of years ago and it sounded pretty good. But, probably could use a rebuild. I'm afraid to attempt taking it apart.