Page 3 of 3
Re: Meltrope 3c Sound-box ?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 10:02 am
by jamiegramo
Re: Meltrope 3c Sound-box ?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 11:30 am
by emgcr
Steve wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:13 am
If so, what does a Meltrope II look like? A picture of each style would be handy.
Here you are Steve. The Meltrope No.1 has a longer stylus bar and the platform is not cut into the main circular body of the sound chamber. The difference in compression ring diameters is readily seen. The overall outside diameter of both boxes is roughly the same.
It is tragic that all the previous posts have been lost as this subject has been studied extensively, written about with many photographs and published in full detail some years back. I do have copies on my computer but, having tried for half an hour, am not able to upload again, sadly.
Re: Meltrope 3c Sound-box ?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 12:48 pm
by poodling around
Steve wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:13 am
All this Meltrope talk has made me examine a "III" which I acquired recently with some other parts, and yes, the compression ring is completely seized on my example too!
As Carlos points out the stylus bar suspension is a cheap and nasty design, prone to failure. None of this endears the Meltrope soundbox to me. I do have a number of others, also confusingly called "III" with a different fascia. These work okay but the best one of the lot by far is the design that does not rely on the fascia to suspend the stylus bar. My fascia on this one is a bluey grey gunmetal finish. Is that a Meltrope I?
If so, what does a Meltrope II look like? A picture of each style would be handy.
Of course, not all Meltrope II sound-boxes had the Meltrope name on the front (or any-where else) and also had different patent numbers on the reverse, this one is part of my 'quite a collection' of Meltrope soundboxes.
Re: Meltrope 3c Sound-box ?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 1:21 pm
by Orchorsol
Steve wrote: Sat Feb 21, 2026 9:13 am
All this Meltrope talk has made me examine a "III" which I acquired recently with some other parts, and yes, the compression ring is completely seized on my example too!
It might be worth persevering Steve. Recently I had one with a seized compression ring - after digging out all the rubber remains thoroughly, I soaked the threads in an expensive penetrating oil for several weeks, and put it in the freezer for a few hours a couple of times. With a plumber's wrench and thick leather to grip, it finally gave way. Now it's completely rebuilt and sounding great.
Re: Meltrope 3c Sound-box ?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2026 3:32 pm
by poodling around
Very good link indeed.
I wonder if there was a Meltrope 'B' sound-box as there seems to have been an 'a' and 'c' ?