The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Someone is selling a Sonora Invincible phonograph for $600 with about 30 records. I've only seen it in photos. It is described as working and to be in good condition. It has a cool looking power gauge. I know it's the next model after the Sonora Supreme which is very hard to find. Does anyone know the rarity, fair price, or have additional information for the Sonora Invincible phonograph?

I think $600 is a very reasonable price for an Invincible that's in good original condition. The photo does not do it justice. The Invincible is a really attractive and interesting machine. There is a big drop off in value from the Supreme, probably worth between $5,000 to perhaps $10,000 in mahogany, to the Invincible. But the same is true with Victrolas. The Victrola XVIII in mahogany is worth around $2000 and a nice XVI is a $500 machine. I'd suggest making a good offer but be prepared to pay the $600. It's worth every penny. Jerry Blais

Did the Sonora Invincible come with a wood arm as standard equipment? Or was the wood arm an upgrade? I never saw one of these with a metal arm before.
Harvey Kravitz

That reproducer is all wrong- that should take the price down slightly. Sonora reproducers aren't hard to find but one in gold plate might be tricky.

According to my information (and I have had 3 Invincibles over the years) a wood tone arm was standard equipment. And the power meter was different as well. Maybe the differences can be accounted for by using up available parts at the end of their model run. Regardless, for $600, I would buy it in a heartbeat. Here are pictures of the last one I had:

I showed DeeDee the photo of Raphael's machine and she said to buy it. She's correct. Jerry

I don't think the machine that started this thread is an invincible. Regardless, how can you tell from that one blurred and dim photo?

That it might not be an Invincible occurred to me as well. It may be a Grand or an Elite, with an optional power meter. Invincibles and Supremes had wood lid support arms. One way to identify a particular Sonora model is to remove the lower drawer, which often has a factory stencil on the underside with a model designation.
Raphael

If it's a Sonora Invincible for $600.00, I wouldn't think twice about buying it. I don't think it's the same machine though unless they changed the cabinet style which is possible.

Here's another photo. Can someone confirm that this is a Sonora Invincible? The grill is different from Raphael's photos and the back of the lid doesn't have "Bell" symbols. Is this an earlier model? If so, when was it manufactured? Thanks everyone for your responses!!!