The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Anyone know where I can buy grill cloth for a mid 20s silvertone phonograph? I found a guy the other night, but cant find him now. Suggestions? Ideas? Thanks

If it is a table top you may have luck here:

http://www.grillecloth.com/grillcloth/pricelist.php

The factory that made the grille cloth shut down so they have a limited supply and limited sizes.

The cloth I've seen in intact oak Silvertones has been very thin and plain- like a stiffened gauze or cheesecloth. It had no pattern or texture and was just a neutral color.

Oh, then I don't think that website will help you. Probably just a trip to the local fabric store should work.

m0xiemama wrote:Oh, then I don't think that website will help you. Probably just a trip to the local fabric store should work.

The textured cloth is good for later 20's machines, but for something like this Silvertone it should be plain- maybe a very light satin in a muted color if you want a little shine- an olive green might go nicely with oak. Sears used purple cotton cloth in some of their mahogany cabinets.

It may not be acoustically correct but the silky cloth that lines a nice jacket looks appropriate. That's what I ask for at a fabric store. Jerry B.

I actually prefer to shop for grille cloths in charity shops. The choice of fabric and colour variations is usually far greater, the cloth normally doesn't have that brand spanking new look that can sometimes look out of place on an original finished machine, it's often cheaper, and you don't end up with a metre of fabric you feel you have to use, leaving you with 5 machines in a room with the same cloth.
I now keep a small photo album with clear plastic sleeves you slide the photo into, in the car, and I keep small samples of all my original gramophone & radio grille cloths, and original antique upholstery fabrics in it, and underneath each sample I write model & finish information on the white backing paper that comes in the sleeves. I can then either carry it into the store, or run back to the car if I find something I think might be a suitable replacement. It's like having a little reference library with a couple dozen samples at my finger tips, and it also seems to have stopped me from getting strange looks from little old ladies behind the counter, who probably assumed I'm a crossdresser when I've bought womens blouses with sheer fabric overlays & lingerie
I have to admit that I too have sacrificed acoustic correctness for the right colour & texture/pattern. It can always be replaced again if something better comes along.