The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

First off, I'm new to the forum and also pretty new to phonographs, so my apologies for my general ignorance of the subject! My has father owned a "humpback" Victrola since before I can remember but I only recently got my own phonograph, a Silvertone, followed just last month by a Brunswick. In the interest of space and marital concord I'm trying not to become a collector... but maybe not trying too hard...

Anyway, it's the Brunswick I'm wondering about. It came with two reproducers, one for standard 78s and the other (pictured below) apparently for playing Pathé records. A bit of searching online didn't turn up anything on this arrangement. Was this less common than the Ultona reproducer? Also, what's with the tone arm? It looks like a Victor tone arm although the reproducer itself is a Brunswick. Any information is appreciated - thanks!!

Frank

Im no expert, but my guess is that you've found a very early Brunswick, produced before the ultona was introduced.

You do have a pre-Ultona machine, Tinkerbell on this forum has a similar one. Very handsome cabinet. With a sapphire ball stylus this should play Pathé discs very nicely, and with a jewel point it could play Edison discs.

Here's the thread on Tinkerbell's machine- http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ick#p22915

Her machine's original arm had some condition issues so she replaced it with an Ultona arm.

Fascinating, thanks for the replies! The tone arm on my Brunswick seems to be in good condition, so it appears that I lucked out. The cabinet on mine is plainer than Tinkerbell's but mine turned out to be in pretty good shape, with relatively few nicks or scratches, just a bit of veneer delamination along the bottom on the back panel (not a big problem for me given where it's displayed).

Is there any way to determine a model number on mine? I haven't found one, but I haven't really opened it up to look either.

FrankH wrote:Fascinating, thanks for the replies! The tone arm on my Brunswick seems to be in good condition, so it appears that I lucked out. The cabinet on mine is plainer than Tinkerbell's but mine turned out to be in pretty good shape, with relatively few nicks or scratches, just a bit of veneer delamination along the bottom on the back panel (not a big problem for me given where it's displayed).

Is there any way to determine a model number on mine? I haven't found one, but I haven't really opened it up to look either.

The early Brunswicks were not marked anywhere as to the model number. The later ones had a round medallion or plate with the model on it. Mr. Wakeman in California is writing a book about the Brunswick machines and he may be able to tell you what model it is. He's very nice and helpful. I will PM you with his email address. Jan.