The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Uncovering machines today helping the wife put up window candles for Christmas and next to my Brooks Repeating phono I unearthed a Aeolian-Vocalion Gradula. Has the "remote volume control" For the life of me I cannot remember where and when I purchased this machine. The volume control cable goes in the front upper left and hangs in a clip near the rear of the left side. I have a picture of the hand-held controller. This actually makes a great difference in sound. Between opening the speaker grille and using this volume control it actually makes a difference.

What were they thinking with this remote control - its not like the kids had the music cranked up

"Graduola." (I think "Gradula" was a vampire, wasn't he?)

This wasn't hyped as a volume control. The idea was the operator could control the "mood" and the "feel" of the music by creating forte, mezzo forte, mezzo piano, and piano effects that weren't always on the record. I wonder how many owners really used the device that way!

George P.

Not sure if you are old enough to remember, but the first remote controls on VHS decks was a pod at the end of a long cable. Once again, the Phonograph industry came up with the idea first. I can imagine someone tried to make a remote winder.

I picked up a Style O Monday. It has the same 'remote' control. I just listed a Wanted listing for a broken part for mine.

Brad wrote:Not sure if you are old enough to remember, but the first remote controls on VHS decks was a pod at the end of a long cable. Once again, the Phonograph industry came up with the idea first. I can imagine someone tried to make a remote winder.

Well regarding the age let me put it this way--I own a 1930 Model A Ford roadster and I was born 10 years later