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Steve, you raise some valid points. I agree that catalogues are not always reliable and alterations during production aren't uncommon.

Steve wrote:The timing is prescient or somewhat fortuitous:

http://www.gramophones.uk.com/informati ... 0_hor.html

Note the identical winder and horn on this DRGM machine!

You took a very good example what can happen to an early and desirable German Zono model. My first picture shows the Concert-Zonophon No. 75 with 75 cm brass horn, glass plates and peculiar arm with upright support rod in a catalogue entry of September 1905.



It was not at all uncommon that, after some years in use, front mount Zonos were converted in back mount machines to improve sound quality and operating comfort. Customers at the time didn't care much about brands and consistency.

The taste of the times changes. Nowadays front mount machines are much more in demand than converted specimen. This leads to the unavoidable: Historically evolved machines are again converted, as in this case. The traces of the back bracket of unknown maker are clearly visible. The dealer pointed this out, but it is of course far removed from the historically authentic condition.



If you discover an early Zonophon case in the wild, loose parts (crank, horn, reproducer) are nearly always missing. Consequently, certain parts (curved crank, brass horn, early type of reproducer) are very rare. When this machine was rebuilt, the dealer or collector used spare parts at hand. The straight crank is much too large for the graceful case. The top plate had to be trimmed to fit the crank. The result is an ugly and far-reaching interference.

Instead of an early reproducer a later model was installed which looks strangely out of place.



Nickel plated horns, manufactured from a few large German horn manufacturers in different sizes are indeed much more commonly found than brass horns. Again, I could live with the nickel plated exchange horn.

A serious drawback of this machine is the missing arm with upright support rod. An original spare part is near impossible to get. Hence, a standard arm was used.



In summary, catalogues can occasionally lead you on the wrong track, but if you neglect this original source it would possibly never occur to you that this is no special German variety, but the travesty of a rare machine. The dealer seems to be aware of this, hence the low asking price compared to an untouched Concert-Zonophon No. 75.

This same machine was sold in the US as the Concert Grand (that name continued to be used even after the design was later changed), and in England as the "London Grand."

Starkton's summary is dead-on. The biggest problem is the excessively front-heavy horn. I can't imagine how that tone arm supports a 30" horn. The rod in the center of the support arm was a patented feature that was essential for counter-balancing an otherwise very front-heavy machine. (See http://edisontinfoil.com/zono.htm.)

The biggest problem is the excessively front-heavy horn. I can't imagine how that tone arm supports a 30" horn.

Presumably in exactly the same way as in my machine which also has the same 'dragon' front arm and 30" horn. The bracket is either iron and steel and a lot heavier than the lightweight brass horn. My No. 90 machine is exactly as the ROMFI scan ie. without the vertical support but with the large horn.

I'm not questioning the strength of the bracket, but rather the weight of the horn versus the weight of the cabinet. Without the upright support, my machine falls forward. The front-loaded weight of my 30" horn is more than the (relatively) substantial cabinet and motor can support. The upright rod is essential to keeping the machine stable.

The romfi scan appears to show a cabinet that is considerably larger than the double-glass sided Concert Grand, and is presumably therefore much heavier and able to withstand the weight of the horn without tipping over.

The romfi scan appears to show a cabinet that is considerably larger than the double-glass sided Concert Grand

Indeed it is! My Concert No. 90 is much heavier and bigger than the 75. I believe it is the same size cabinet as the 'Opera Grand', albeit with less fussy decoration and a slightly lighter motor. The 75 appears to have the smaller motor with cyrillic writing, common to the smallest models. According to the original adverts the motor in the '90' plays for 9 ½ minutes, with the Opera Grand playing to 13 minutes! My example certainly plays both sides of a 10" record on a single winding, with some play left.

I agree with George Paul writing in CAPS last November. Zonophone is a much misunderstood company and its products were far better than most of the contemporary competition.

Has anyone else got an early Zonophone to share here?

Hello everyone, I have Zonophone This photo, I can call it Concert N. 90 too?
Is in excellent shape, but without the player, use a gerérico model is sound and reasonable.
The horn is 54 inches, I have questions regarding the year of manufacture, saw one in a catalog with Victor cabinet and support similar bronze 1903.
If you have more information I will be thankful.

A photo next to seeing the details.