The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Looks great, Wonderful restoration.

Now it looks good for its age! Good work.

James.

I really do think this 1918 Sonora sound better than a Victrola of the same age. Perhaps its the huge mica on the reproducer or the fact that the horn is 100% wood and not cast metal and wood on the end like Victrola. Also has the felt pad volume control a the horn throat that is better control than opening victrola horn doors. The top design is a Victrola rip off, almost identical but It has really good sound, anyone else agree?

I'm prepared to believe it, but I'd like to hear my XI side-by-side with that beautiful Sonora!

I think you can thank the soundbox for the sound quality more than anything else.
I've never understood why Victor/HMV stuck with the Exhibition soundbox for so long.
If I remember correctly it was designed in 1902, and by 1912 or earlier, companies like Paillard (who made your soundbox) and Thorens were making far better soundboxes than the Exhibition.
Personally, I won't play anything but pre WWI records with an exhibition because most offbrands using Swiss or German components combined with a decent horn will be as good if not better at playing anything else.
A lot of these soundboxes are even better than Victor's No.2 in my opinion.

No question that a competently restored and adjusted sound box is key to everything else! As for the Exhibition, mine is good on acoustics, of course, and also small to medium-size jazz combos and big band swing (electrcical) recordings. It's not so good for symphonic ensembles; leave them for the Orthophonics and VivaTonals!

Well, my Sonora test was made with a randomly selected record, perhaps the record was in better condition than other test records i used on Victrolas. I will test again using same record on the Sonora and again on my Victrola XVII with number 2 repro and see if my original post holds true.

It turned out absolutely beautiful, you should be very proud of all that you have done to save this piece of history for future generations!

In the second before picture you posted, there's a small metal plate attached to the inside of the lid. Why wasn't it re-attached to the inside of the lid after the restoration?

David

dzavracky wrote: Tue Jun 01, 2021 10:09 am In the second before picture you posted, there's a small metal plate attached to the inside of the lid. Why wasn't it re-attached to the inside of the lid after the restoration?

David

I couldn’t see it very well in the picture, but was that the serial number plate that is usually found under the turntable on Sonoras?

Bill