The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

No sooner than a Rondo portable has been sold, here is a cabinet model :

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/146040944109 ... p_homepage

For a closer look it’s a bit disappointing without the Expert soundbox.

The £450 opening bid would be more realistic without the 0 on the end. Britain was good at producing cheap plywood ‘off-brand’ cabinets.

I only thought the portable worth a second look as an opportunity to acquire it's Expert soundbox.
This cabinet machine is certainly overpriced, but it's point of interest is it's original soundbox.
Unfortunately the seller has not provided a separate picture of it.

The large soundbox is quite interesting but the colour is a bit out of place with the nickel.

Many thanks for the kind comments and the parcels arrived safely today. It is indeed a good condition Expert four-spring with diaphragm intact which clearly has not been used for very many decades evidenced by the fact that the rubbers are completely petrified ! If anyone is desperate for such a soundbox please do shout. The records are rather nondescript but the case is well made and in good condition. I do not have a use for the gramophone so if anyone would like it for the price of postage please let me know. Of course, a new soundbox will have to be found. The motor is a very nice Garrard 11b I think and runs well.

Graham, might I have first refusal on the gramophone? I could take it home when Alastair and I see you tomorrow.
email sent.
Roger.

What a nice thing...

Am I the only person slightly familiar with Rondo machines? I'm curious.

The soundbox is absolutely correct. Rondo (including Graham-soon-to-be-Roger's portable) machines have a large diameter polished mahogany soundbox with a lightweight fibrous diaphragm (not sure how they were made?). But the soundboxes work very well and the machines had better internal horns than most contemporary machines of the day. They are fairly well made and much better than average quality. Oh yes, they are obviously rare too.

I regretfully sold an oversized Rondo portable about 30 years ago and to this day wish I still had it!

Steve wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2024 3:22 pm Am I the only person slightly familiar with Rondo machines? I'm curious.

The soundbox is absolutely correct. Rondo (including Graham-soon-to-be-Roger's portable) machines have a large diameter polished mahogany soundbox with a lightweight fibrous diaphragm (not sure how they were made?). But the soundboxes work very well and the machines had better internal horns than most contemporary machines of the day. They are fairly well made and much better than average quality. Oh yes, they are obviously rare too.

I regretfully sold an oversized Rondo portable about 30 years ago and to this day wish I still had it!

It appears you are the person most familiar with Rondo machines.

I don’t think anyone doubted the soundbox was correct. I did wonder if it was painted but waited for enlightenment... mahogany would match the cabinet.

As regards rarity I can think of dozens of small brand machines that are ‘rare’ but are they ‘desirable’. It’s good to hear the Rondo has its advantages over others.

Now spare a thought for poor Graham who has probably been inundated with offers to buy his Expert.

epigramophone wrote: Fri Sep 27, 2024 1:09 pm Graham, might I have first refusal on the gramophone? I could take it home when Alastair and I see you tomorrow.
email sent.
Roger.

Of course, absolutely delighted. No one deserves it more than you for having been brilliant enough to ferret it all out in the first place ! À bientôt.

PS. Alex and I have rebuilt the soundbox tonight and it sounds pretty good. Probably still needs a little extra tweaking.