The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here's an unusual Premier that falls into the quirky interesting upright category. I enjoy uprights that were made by companies that were not afraid of building something a little different and this Premier certainly is unique. My favorite feature is the nontraditional lid. Most companies followed Victor's lead and built traditional domed lids or close variations. Not Premier! Access for changing records is fine but the area behind the turntable is lost. Also, access to the motor is not very convenient. You must first remove three screws which allows the entire deck with lid to be lifted revealing the motor. There is no stop or resting point so you need two people, one to hold and the other to turn wrenches, if you want to remove the motor. The brake is actuated by a push/pull know towards the front on the crank side. A part comes up under the turntable and provides friction to stop the turntable. Volume is controlled by another push/pull knob that slides a felt covered piece of wood to block the path to the horn. Even the crank escutcheon is mounted a quarter turn off with the two screws mounted vertically. I like all the unique features of this machine and respect the effort made by the Premier company to build machines that did not have a cookie cutter traditional appearance.

Jerry Blais

That is a strange one. The decorative cut-out near the front of the motorboard reminds me of the razor blade discard slots found in old medicine cabinets. We're there lots of used needles down below?

Jerry,

A very nice machine. Always nice to come across a different phonograph. I would buy it in a minute if I found one.

Larry

The decorative cut-out near the front of the motorboard reminds me of the razor blade discard slots found in old medicine cabinets. We're there lots of used needles down below?

I didn't think of that! The users must have been disciplined or mature because I found very few needles below the deck. Jerry

Well Jerry B guess what I have sitting in a spare bedroom with a Vic II sitting on it Your write up is welcome as I have never occasion to diddle with it. Plays well. Cheers

Bill K

Say Jerry. When you have time would you be so kind as to take a photo of the underside of the platter? When I stop my machine using the knob on the right front it makes a racket prior to stopping. I took the platter off and looking at your photos I see the cushioning on the lever which contacts the platter on my machine is not there so I have metal on metal which is probably my problem. Anyway believe the platter is correct as the machine shows no sign of tampering. Thanks and Cheers

Bill K

Jerry,
That's a really cool machine. What is the little drawer in the upper left hand corner? Is for accessories or the like? I never saw anything like this before.
Harvey Kravitz

It appears that in Bill K's example the design cut in the front of the motorboard is carved but not cut through as Jerry's is. Are these machines serial numbered?
-Bill

What is the little drawer in the upper left hand corner? Is for accessories or the like? I never saw anything like this before.
Harvey Kravitz

The little drawer is a multi compartment for needles and little things. Since access is limited towards to rear of the cabinet, it was best to bring it forward. Jerry

I want one...