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Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 2:23 pm
by Carlo 1963
Hi all! I've just bought a Harrod's gramophone equipped with a "Master Mark VIII" soundbox. Waiting for it, I'd like to know something about it (e.g. if such reproducers were provided with the famous E.M.G. talking machines).

Thank you!

Carlo

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 4:51 am
by epigramophone
If the gramophone you have purchased is anything like this one currently on UK eBay, neither the soundbox nor the rest of the machine will be anything out of the ordinary :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/391053990369? ... EBIDX%3AIT

EMG made their own soundboxes, and "EMG" is usually the only inscription to be found on them. When Michael Ginn left EMG and founded Expert, his signature was often engraved on Expert soundboxes.

P.S. This topic needs to be moved to "British and European Machines".

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:36 am
by Carlo 1963
Thank you! I don't think that this soundbox is something similar to the marvellous EMG ones... I send you the link of my purchase, so if you're so kind you can judge better. Thanks a lot! As soon as possible, I'll move the topic. Excuse me for my poor English!

Carlo

http://www.ebay.it/itm/141564737467?ssP ... 1439.l2649

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:16 am
by epigramophone
Thankyou for posting the link to your machine. I can now see why you thought there may have been an EMG connection, as the horseshoe shape of your soundbox is similar to some EMG designs.

My guess is that your soundbox is not the original, but is a period upgrade fitted by a previous owner. The seller is well known to me, and if the soundbox had been an EMG he would certainly have spotted it.

Roger.

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 7:31 am
by Carlo 1963
Hi! I think that the seller is very honest and fair, and I absolutely don't feel short-changed... I'm quite happy with this purchase (it's the 14th gramophone of my collection). I'm sure that this is a period upgrade, but I'd like to know something more about this soundbox. I send you a link (unfortunately without photos) of an auction in which it's quoted this name...

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a ... 77ca1g36od

Regards
Carlo

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:04 am
by Phototone
Carlo 1963 wrote:Hi! I think that the seller is very honest and fair, and I absolutely don't feel short-changed... I'm quite happy with this purchase (it's the 14th gramophone of my collection). I'm sure that this is a period upgrade, but I'd like to know something more about this soundbox. I send you a link (unfortunately without photos) of an auction in which it's quoted this name...

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a ... 77ca1g36od

Regards
Carlo
Well, you can put just about any soundbox with a standard fitting on an EMG. The fact that one auction had an EMG with a "Master" soundbox means nothing.

"The Master Mark VIII" soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:55 am
by Carlo 1963
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Hi everybody! Who can give me informations about soundboxes "The Master Mark VIII"?
I've just bought one and I'd like to know something about it... It looks like a horseshoe! Thanks a lot!

Carlo

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 5:28 pm
by Carlo 1963
Obviously! I suggested to look at this auction just because it's the only testimony that I've fond on the Web about this soundbox. I don't think that it has anything to do with EMG...

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 5:38 am
by Calle
No, as far as I know, it has nothing to do with EMG.
I do have the same soundbox (in gold) and I first thought also it was made by EMG.
British collectors told me it wasn't so...

Re: Master Mark VIII soundbox

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2015 6:00 am
by Orchorsol
Looks like an Orchorsol soundbox.

http://www.clpgs.org.uk/images/Photogal ... l_0383.jpg

They are good performers, but not as good as EMGs/Experts, Orthophonics or Meltropes.