The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

phonophan79 wrote:

antique1973 wrote:I generally avoid consoles and offbrand models

Sonora is off-brand?

Yes So isnt Victor to, didnt you know that?

Geesh lol

Victrolaman wrote:

phonophan79 wrote:

antique1973 wrote:I generally avoid consoles and offbrand models

Sonora is off-brand?

Yes So isnt Victor to, didnt you know that?

Geesh lol

no, victor really isn't off-brand at all. nor would most people consider edison and columbia (along with hmv and perhaps even Pathé) off-brand either... because they were pretty much the giant companies that tended to dominate the market and outlast most others that came and went or got in and out (with their primary product really being something other than phonographs, like aeolian-vocalion with pianos).

They are wonderful machines, but I never was able to get mine to play quite right, but it was a long time ago and I didn't know much about the reproducers and the way in which it used little pads instead of threaded screws at the time threw me and I never did get the thing to play with the sound I am sure it was capable. Naturally the fellow I sold it too still has it!

Larry

Sonora is off-brand?[/quote]


Yes So isnt Victor to, didnt you know that?

Geesh lol [/quote]


no, victor really isn't off-brand at all. nor would most people consider edison and columbia (along with hmv and perhaps even Pathé) off-brand either... because they were pretty much the giant companies that tended to dominate the market and outlast most others that came and went or got in and out (with their primary product really being something other than phonographs, like aeolian-vocalion with pianos).[/quote]


Just to clarify, I did not mean to sound negative towards Sonora by throwing
it into the "general offbrand bandwagon". Although some makers are well known
for using shoddy and cheap parts, Sonora is not one of them. Many offbrand
companies produced quality machines, and by offbrand I generally mean any
machine that was not produced by Victor, Edison or Columbia. My primary reason
for avoidance is the lack of parts availability for machines that were in
limited production. Again this is just my personal preference.

Victrolaman's fantastically Rare find is actually the Featured Art model on the cover of a Period Sonora Catalog that I found a few years ago, tucked away in the back of my Sonora Elite Phonograph. Here is a photo of the Catalog cover.

Victrolaman sent me a photo of a couple of the great extras that he discovered with his Sonora Art Model Jacobean. Also included were a Sonora Record duster and the original Needle Equipment Case containing all of the Semi-Permanent, Steel, Diamond and Sapphire needles beautifully presented in a velvet lined flip up case. I will try to have him send a photo of what the inside of the needle case looks like. I would have to think that the needle case, complete with the special needles,is a rare find, since over the years the case and needles in most instances became separated from the cabinet.