The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I picked this up this week and can't find anything about it on the internet except that it was made by Hawthorne and Sheble and is basically a rebranded Star phonograph. It looks all original to me. The horn and reproducer appear identical to those on a Busy Bee, and I think the motor is also exactly like in a Busy Bee. I suppose the crank would also be the same as a Busy Bee. Does this show up in any books or old advertising? Any information about this phonograph would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Greg Farmer

Now thats a beauty, I like the motor design and how it is placed, looks like less weight on the motorboard.

I think Wurlitzer dealt the Victor machines as well. I am not sure if they were selling this as a Wurlitzer or just as a dealer.

Greg,

You're right on all points. Clearly, H&S was assembling these machines for Wurlitzer to sell as its "house brand." I've seen one or two of these, but they're clearly rare birds.

Congratulations! Very cool machine.

George P.

I was dusting this Wurlitzer True Tone today, and while playing a couple records on it I realized the platter is probably wrong. It has the same motor as my Busy Bee, with pins on the shaft that engage with the platter, and the brake stops the governor which should cause the pins to stop the platter. But this machine has a different platter, 9 inches instead of 10 inches, and it has a thick edge like it was designed for a side brake. The platter does have slots alongside the center hole that the motor's shaft pins drive, but these slots are wider than on my Busy Bee platter, and the slot edges are slightly beveled. So, pushing the stop lever stops the governor and the shaft, but the inertia of the platter makes it jump off the pins and it thumps around a few times before stopping!

Does anyone have the correct platter for this or know what type of platter I should look for?
And, can anyone identify what type of platter I currently have? (I didn't show a photo of the top of it since it just looks like a round piece of green felt)

Thanks!
Greg Farmer

Greg, I had one of these machines several year's ago..........Sorry, no pictures & don't remember about the turntable!

Dale