Ladybugs are much more appropriate!JerryVan wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 2:10 pmI had a Columbia BII that had daisies and ladybugs painted inside of the horn. More appropriate?jamiegramo wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 1:03 pm I don’t believe the cherubs really suit something as formal as an EMG.![]()
EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
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- Victor V
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
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- Victor I
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
Ladybugs CANNOT play brass instruments. Just sayin'.
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- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
Of course not. They're strictly vocalists.

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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
Just happened to be passing SAS Auction rooms in Newbury this afternoon. Here are a few more photos. The horn is (unusually) circular at 28 ½" confirming it is structurally sound and a Xa. There seem to have been two wind-up motors in the past. The tonearm clamp ring is missing on the back of the soundbox. The latter is otherwise sound but has seen some diaphragm flattening and needs more. The early loose ball tonearm bearing felt good and even. It was not possible to feel any surface raising on the painted cherubs so transfers seem likely. It is an Estate sale and has clearly been a much loved/used instrument but not for a while as all rubbers are hard. Sale tomorrow at about 11.00am.
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
Seems to have been repaired at the juncture of horn and neck?
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
That joint is where the aluminium casting meets the paper bell. The latter tends to shrink in a small way over time but there is no structural problem---only cosmetic degradation.
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
I agree with Graham about the neck; I cannot see a problem there but what about the area I've highlighted in gold? There is a noticeable line where a ridge or crease exists that appears to follow a long path. What has caused this?
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
Steve, I think you will find that this slight creasing has been caused by (mis)handling of the horn over the years. Sometimes people erroneously rest the bell on part of its circumference when dismantling don't they ? It looks worse in the photos than in reality. Carefully handled in future there should not be a problem in my opinion.
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Re: EMG Xa with painted horn for auction on 1st April 2025.
Yes, Graham, you might very well be right although I'd have to admit I don't recall ever seeing another horn with similar creasing. It's good to hear that the bell is still perfectly circular around the circumference. I wonder who will buy it. I definitely will not be bidding anyway!emgcr wrote: Tue Apr 01, 2025 4:23 am Steve, I think you will find that this slight creasing has been caused by (mis)handling of the horn over the years. Sometimes people erroneously rest the bell on part of its circumference when dismantling don't they ? It looks worse in the photos than in reality. Carefully handled in future there should not be a problem in my opinion.
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