The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I picked up this little guy from an estate sale for next to nothing. Not sure why but I really like it. I did plug it in at the sale to verify the motor was working, it is.

It is missing a needle and a couple screws. I was wondering if anyone might know the manufacturer, was it a kit, homemade from parts, etc. Just looking for info on it. There are no marking on it that I can find yet.

This is my first post on the site. I have been a lurker for a while and have found the info quite helpful with my other acquisitions.

Thanks in advance!

Hello donkee! I'm glad you've signed on. I hope you enjoy the forum.
This looks like a homemade kit to me. The tone arm and reproducer resemble an orthophonic's.
Does the sound just go down into the box?
Bob

I can't see any image

I believe these type small phonographs were produced in the 30s and 40s, I will look an see if something like it is in some old Sears or Wards books.

Larry

Humm. Odd. Except for the acoustic tone arm and reproducer, it looks for all the world like one of the common turntable units that were for sale in 40s and 50s with a tone arm and crystal cartridge that output though wires that connected to RCA plugs on the back of radios of the day. They played through a radio's auxiliary input setting.

Clay

I haven't dig into it yet but there are no outputs for speakers. When moving the tonearm the sound is amplified coming out of the side. As far as I can tell no other electronics on this other than for the electric motor.

I am hoping to open it up this weekend.

Here are photos of the other 3 sides.

It won't take the last two. too big. I'll get them re-sized.

Ok, now they work...

The arm looks like those used in 1930's - '40's General Industries / Birch portables, and the reproducer looks like it might be from a Brunswick Panatrope ? ( Does it have a "G-clef" sign embossed on the cover ?)