The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

gramophone78 wrote:No harm in getting excited.We all do.As long as that excitment doesn't cost you $$$ needlessly.In fact,that horn and elbow would not have fit your machine (as you know).You do have two things going for you.First,the machine was a "gift".Second the horn you need for a Vic 3 is the size that is the most common.I see many 19" flowers for sale in different states of condition.Same for the B/B horn.Even if you decide and go for broke on a oak horn,you will be miles ahead and that investment potential will always remain.I hate to keep using the word "investment" because most if not all of us collect because we love it.However,after awhile and as money is spent or the amount spent on that covetted piece is a great.Then you have to look at a what becomes a collection that way.This all may be just my own view on this.However,like other seasoned collectors.....I would think not.

I am seriously considering the Oak horn if I can get it at the right price. In the interests of
staying liquid I listed the only machine I could consider selling at this time: my standard door
XVI. If that one sells I can buy the Oak horn without tapping out completely. I look at
all my machines as investments, but of course the joy they bring me transcends monetary value.

I decided to buy the frankenphone for $50 today, figured its hard to go wrong at that price. I had a spare victor governor I put in since the original has a busted spring (the one in my hand). Can anyone identify this motor? The reproducer is a Swiss Maestrophonic. My guess is its from a portable.

It's a Paillard soundbox. I'm not sure what model number it is, but I have the similar Maestrophonic No.13 on both a Paillard portable and an Aussie off-brand upright, & both are original to the machines. Yours may have been supplied with a portable or a cabinet model too I guess, as they were sold to any off-brand maker that wanted them. They were most likely available seperately as an upgrade as well.
It actually looks the same as the no.13 except for the mask, so it should have decent sound once serviced. Not as good as a Victor ortho, but better than any mica diaphragmed soundbox you'll find.
Does the back look like this?

Sure does Shane. It was a real battle today. Opened up the barrel and found out someone cleaned the springs recently and used just motor oil as lube. The bottom spring was detached from the gear arbor so I pulled out the top one to get at it. The center was out of whack a bit so I tweaked it to give a better grip on the arbor and added moly grease. So now it winds up like its supposed too and seems ok. However, that spare victor governor I found out does not fit right (too big). Also the governor retainer screw is damaged. So I am going to have to get a spring for the original governor and an appropriate governor screw to finish this thing. Are you familiar with the make on this motor by chance? It seems like some kind of Victor 2 spring knock off. I know its not original since the motor mounts have been altered. I put my HMV 4 reproducer on it since its probably pretty close to what was on it.

Well, "its alive!"

A shot of another model 25 for comparison...

[quote="Retrograde"]A shot of another model 25 for comparison...

That's cool, thanks Retrograde! I was having trouble finding a pic of the original
online. That would explain the gray paint on my horn, seems like they were trying
to match the factory horn in color.