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Guys is this an original machine or a frankenphone, the cabinet looks weird and out of proportion, please let me know ASAP . Thanks

I asked a similar question about this machine in another thread, but no responses yet. I'm guessing a Swiss made machine.

Clay

I'd vote for Frankenphone. The horn, arm and back bracket all look old, but the soundbox looks to be metal diaphragmed, which is wrong, the velvet-covered turntable is definitely from a later machine, and the case looks to be made up by an amateur keen to show off his marquetry skills (and failing dismally!)

Barry

The marquetry is indeed crude.

Clay

Looks like an original Parlophon to me. And yes, the Germans did produce some very odd cabinets just like this one! Without better pictures it's hard to tell of anything has been replaced or swapped.

Steve wrote:Looks like an original Parlophon to me. And yes, the Germans did produce some very odd cabinets just like this one! Without better pictures it's hard to tell of anything has been replaced or swapped.

I agree with Steve, I have one German coin-op with the same cabinet minus the marqueterie. The wider base is where the coin drawer is. By the way, I have seen other gramophones with identical marqueterie - indeed crude but industrial-made.

The marquetry may be crude, but it has echos of art deco that might incline one to think it's at least old.

Is something really a Frankinphone in the true sense of the word, if the alterations are contemporary, and somene's attempt at DIY decoration?

Nat wrote:The marquetry may be crude, but it has echos of art deco that might incline one to think it's at least old.

Is something really a Frankinphone in the true sense of the word, if the alterations are contemporary, and somene's attempt at DIY decoration?

The presence of the marqueterie does not make it a Frankenphone, look at this one below, it is for sale in France right now. And I have seen this windmill pattern on others as well.

Thanks, Carlos. I respect your judgment on this as you have seen and handled far more of these German monsters, coin-ops or otherwise, than I have. You agree with me that it is genuine subject to seeing more detailed pictures to ascertain whether it might have been re-motored or if the soundbox is a replacement etc. It certainly isn't a Frankenphone and with that horn included I think the OP should probably jump on this one before it goes.

I have seen this cabinet style before - original.