The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've got a fairly clean but unrestored Sonora phonograph with a bombe style cabinet, I'm not sure of the specific model, but it has an original circassian walnut finish... there's some light wear to the cabinet, nothing at all major, the grill has a little damage but is mostly complete... I'm just never going to get to working on this one and could use some funds right now, so if this seems like something someone might be interested in, please inquire... this will clean up exceptionally well... I'll post some photos as soon as I can snap them. frankly, I've never seen one of these in circassian before... I'd assume it's worth a fair amount more than the same machine in mahogany or oak, though nowhere near the price of a victor in this finish. it's located in southern NJ about 10 minutes from center city Philadelphia. If interested, you can message or email me at brianu73 at Hotmail.

Thanks,

Brian

I just brought the machine upstairs, haven't done anything to it yet, but here are a few quick photos. The accessories and the grill are still boxed up, I'll get them out and get everything together for more shots this weekend. But this should give you a general idea as to the condition of the cabinet and finish, which after a basic cleaning should look pretty phenomenal.

Brian

Stunning!

GLWTS,
Fran

Let me pick my jaw off the floor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is a beauty

Stunning example. Circassian walnut machines are highly prized and Sonora up right machines are my favorite. I own an Invincible and yours looks like a Grand. I'm sure you will have no trouble finding a buyer.

sorry for the delay... here are some more photos...

the motor is pretty clean and running well, but like any other, it could use a rebuild. the tonearm and reproducer assembly is complete, but will require some repair (only the lateral reproducer attachment is present, no vertical). the grill as well appears mostly complete, but will require some repair. the turntable/platter is in nice shape and retains its original wool/felt. the cabinet retains its original circassian finish and is in excellent shape but for some wear around the edges.

this can be viewed in person and picked up in woodbury, NJ, which is about 10 minutes from philadelphia, PA. I can also get it to the next wayne NJ phonograph show, or assist with your shipper/mover (uship.com has worked well for me, just used it this past week in fact). the photos show all, this is a pretty nice example of a very scarce machine given the finish, despite that it's still in need of some restoration, but not terribly much. after talking with a few other collectors, I think $2650 is a fair price for this as it is. if it doesn't sell here, I may list it on ebay, or else just finish having the restoration done myself (I'm estimating about 500 to have the motor rebuilt, the tonearm assembly and grill repaired and the reproducer rebuilt) before offering it for sale fully restored for around $4000, more or less, depending on how it turns out. I'm tempted just to keep this, but could really use some funds right now. if interested, you can message me here or email me at brianu73 at hotmail.

That's a beautiful Sonora, Brian!

George P.

Thanks George.

I forgot earlier to post a shot showing the turntable...

Just curious... If someone from the west coast was interested, could you get it to Union? Thanks, Jerry Blais