The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Such a simple tool, why didn't HMV company installed this on all of their soundboxes!

Well, anything added to a soundbox increased the weight, thus increasing the wear on the record.

Plus the fact they distort the sound terribly! I installed one of these on the Exhibition s/box of a machine many years ago but didn't try a record for a long time afterwards. When I eventually played a record through I couldn't believe how poor the machine sounded. Nothing was lose or damaged and the s/box was otherwise perfect so I removed that lifting device from the soundbox as a precaution and re-played the record. It sounded far better - I could hardly believe the difference! I guess that is why HMV didn't use them on all s/boxes?

I suspect that they saw it as answer to a non-existant problem. It's not like the reproducer is difficult to grasp by any other method.

All that said, it's a very cool accessory and if I had one, I would definitely use it.

The comment on stylus weight is also an interesting point.