The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

JerryVan wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 2:10 pm

jamiegramo wrote: Sun Mar 16, 2025 1:03 pm I don’t believe the cherubs really suit something as formal as an EMG.

I had a Columbia BII that had daisies and ladybugs painted inside of the horn. More appropriate?

Ladybugs are much more appropriate!

Ladybugs CANNOT play brass instruments. Just sayin'.

bearcat wrote: Mon Mar 17, 2025 12:27 pm Ladybugs CANNOT play brass instruments. Just sayin'.

Of course not. They're strictly vocalists.

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.

Seems to have been repaired at the juncture of horn and neck?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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!

Did not sell---no bids.