The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Steve wrote: Thu Mar 30, 2023 7:39 am Yes, the cabinet wasn't in a good state and had pulled apart at the front left hand corner, the soundbox diaphragm was very crumpled and the lid was quite marked. But, it's a lot cheaper and more interesting than the last Mk IV. Does anyone think the auctioneers were surprised by how much they got their estimate wrong? Still, hopefully the vendor is now planning a holiday with the money instead of a cheap night out for one!

Yes, the auctioneer was surprised! He said on the auction that he got it wrong and that the seller would be happy

I called and emailed asking for better photos and a more complete item condition description. I never got it.

Garret wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:49 am I called and emailed asking for better photos and a more complete item condition description. I never got it.

Vendors voluntarily using auctioneers are getting a very poor deal these days. Auctioneers do very little to actually sell the item for the best price. Ignoring requests for photos and more information is just one example of their many failures.

Steve wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:40 am

Garret wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:49 am I called and emailed asking for better photos and a more complete item condition description. I never got it.

Vendors voluntarily using auctioneers are getting a very poor deal these days. Auctioneers do very little to actually sell the item for the best price. Ignoring requests for photos and more information is just one example of their many failures.

Meanwhile, back in the States, I have had great cooperation from Stanton's Auctions the few times I've requested photos or additional information on an item I was interested in.

JerryVan wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:05 am

Steve wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:40 am

Garret wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:49 am I called and emailed asking for better photos and a more complete item condition description. I never got it.

Vendors voluntarily using auctioneers are getting a very poor deal these days. Auctioneers do very little to actually sell the item for the best price. Ignoring requests for photos and more information is just one example of their many failures.

Meanwhile, back in the States, I have had great cooperation from Stanton's Auctions the few times I've requested photos or additional information on an item I was interested in.

Compared to the UK, the US might as well be another planet.

For posterity (.. assuming the attachments stay for posterity!). Here it is in East Kent after a few hours of cleaning and polishing.

The case cleaned up beautifully, and so has the soundbox. The auction photos really don't do it any justice. The marks on the top have been addressed, while the split and missing knob are being sorted as we speak.

Very pleased with this acquisition. Beautiful to look at, and sounds well above what I expected from it; rich and detailed as a purebred EMG should be.

Here it is singing:

J Hislop, In Distant Lands: https://youtu.be/OYTYRVrqz9I

Jota (guitar solo) https://youtu.be/TWgHWEjVLS4

Please excuse my ignorance, aside from the EMG tonearm, is there an actual exponential horn hidden in there? Doesn't look much different from typical table top Victrolas or HMVs of the time. Would it be possible to see the inside horn arrangement?

Thanks
Andreas

Steve wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 12:30 pm

JerryVan wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 11:05 am

Steve wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:40 am

Vendors voluntarily using auctioneers are getting a very poor deal these days. Auctioneers do very little to actually sell the item for the best price. Ignoring requests for photos and more information is just one example of their many failures.

Meanwhile, back in the States, I have had great cooperation from Stanton's Auctions the few times I've requested photos or additional information on an item I was interested in.

Compared to the UK, the US might as well be another planet.

Thanks for that perspective.

Ahmed wrote: Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:24 pm For posterity (.. assuming the attachments stay for posterity!). Here it is in East Kent after a few hours of cleaning and polishing.

The case cleaned up beautifully, and so has the soundbox. The auction photos really don't do it any justice. The marks on the top have been addressed, while the split and missing knob are being sorted as we speak.

Very pleased with this acquisition. Beautiful to look at, and sounds well above what I expected from it; rich and detailed as a purebred EMG should be.

Here it is singing:

J Hislop, In Distant Lands: https://youtu.be/OYTYRVrqz9I

Jota (guitar solo) https://youtu.be/TWgHWEjVLS4

Wonderful to see Ahmed, congratulations! And what a transformation! I'm really struck how it achieves the EMG magic albeit without the bass response of the larger models. The sound is superb, refined and detailed, even via YouTube.

It's a brilliant little performer, isn't it! I suppose if they couldn't offer something beyond what the mass market competition was doing, they wouldn't have done it.

The horn is an L shaped exponential horn made of paper applique, pictures attached. It reminds me of the horn on the Edison Diamond Disc machines, which are also fabulous performers for their size.

Ps; these are pictures after the insides have been cleaned and all the spiders evicted... I'll spare you the before photos

Pss; I just put a few layers of felt above the horn to catch any oil that may drip off the motor