The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm considering the purchase of a non-pot metal #4 and would greatly appreciate some insight on the current approximate going rate.
I fully realize that it all comes down to condition. It is fully rebuilt with a very nice finish.
I'm just looking for a good ballpark range.

This may give you a stepping stone, as I do not own a good Brass No. 4. I have a pot metal 4 purchased from a well know forum member for about $80. I would think a brass one would be north of that. Love the pot metal one I have as it is in good shape. I rebuilt it, and the sound is good. Now to find a 1-70 or 1-90 to play it on!

Matt

Not knowing your location, these recent UK eBay selling prices may or may not be useful :

Pot Metal GBP£40
Brass GBP£46 and £70

All three had their original cardboard boxes and were offered by the same seller, jazzer511, who posts worldwide.

I cannot explain the price difference between the two brass examples, but since when were auctions logical?

mattrx wrote:This may give you a stepping stone, as I do not own a good Brass No. 4. I have a pot metal 4 purchased from a well know forum member for about $80. I would think a brass one would be north of that. Love the pot metal one I have as it is in good shape. I rebuilt it, and the sound is good. Now to find a 1-70 or 1-90 to play it on!

Matt

I think the 1-90 would take a bronze orthophonic reproducer. I paid $120 for a brass number 4 about two years ago if you want to add that cost into the mix.

Contrary to its US counterpart, the brass HMV4 reproducer is not rare at all, it is actually more or less as common as the pot metal one. On top of that, the pot metal used on this soundbox is quite stable (although fragile especially in the attachment to the arm), and as consequence there is no significant distinction between them pricewise if both are in good condition.

epigramophone wrote:Not knowing your location, these recent UK eBay selling prices may or may not be useful :

Pot Metal GBP£40
Brass GBP£46 and £70

All three had their original cardboard boxes and were offered by the same seller, jazzer511, who posts worldwide.

I cannot explain the price difference between the two brass examples, but since when were auctions logical?

The expensive one was the early with the HMV nomenclature under the mica. The later more common one is stamped on the back.

I've bought from that seller and they are cosmetically very nice but all the rubber is like shale. They need rebuilt.

As to the pot metal or "alloy" ones... the main problem is the neck cracking apart when you need to replace the rubber flange. I have three pot metal ones in my parts drawer that did that.

gramophone-georg wrote:

epigramophone wrote:Not knowing your location, these recent UK eBay selling prices may or may not be useful :

Pot Metal GBP£40
Brass GBP£46 and £70

All three had their original cardboard boxes and were offered by the same seller, jazzer511, who posts worldwide.

I cannot explain the price difference between the two brass examples, but since when were auctions logical?

The expensive one was the early with the HMV nomenclature under the mica. The later more common one is stamped on the back.

I've bought from that seller and they are cosmetically very nice but all the rubber is like shale. They need rebuilt.

As to the pot metal or "alloy" ones... the main problem is the neck cracking apart when you need to replace the rubber flange. I have three pot metal ones in my parts drawer that did that.

I think you will find that it was the other way about. The early No.4 with writing behind the mica made £46 and the later one £70. As I said, since when were auctions logical?

epigramophone wrote:

gramophone-georg wrote:

epigramophone wrote:Not knowing your location, these recent UK eBay selling prices may or may not be useful :

Pot Metal GBP£40
Brass GBP£46 and £70

All three had their original cardboard boxes and were offered by the same seller, jazzer511, who posts worldwide.

I cannot explain the price difference between the two brass examples, but since when were auctions logical?

The expensive one was the early with the HMV nomenclature under the mica. The later more common one is stamped on the back.

I've bought from that seller and they are cosmetically very nice but all the rubber is like shale. They need rebuilt.

As to the pot metal or "alloy" ones... the main problem is the neck cracking apart when you need to replace the rubber flange. I have three pot metal ones in my parts drawer that did that.

I think you will find that it was the other way about. The early No.4 with writing behind the mica made £46 and the later one £70. As I said, since when were auctions logical?

LOL, you're right. I must be dyslexic.

You are correct about auctions not being logical.