The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Before you get too excited the soundbox is missing and it's been painted white , but the provenance is interesting

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 0500ce722e

Steve

According to the advertisement, it dates from the early 19th century. That explains why it looks so, hmmm, old and grey

History books must all be corrected to properly identify and date the real inventor of the talking machine.

The paint job is probably some fool's idea of "shabby chic". Shabby certainly, but not chic.

The good news is that the auctioneer's pre-sale estimate of £100/£150 is very low, even considering the condition. The soundbox need not cost a fortune to replace, as the Meltrope 1 was an option on the Mark VIII when new and will cost a fraction of the EMG alternative.

epigramophone wrote: The good news is that the auctioneer's pre-sale estimate of £100/£150 is very low

A come and get me estimate I think that's called
I'm not sure it was worth the £1450 ($1800 US) that someone has paid for it mind.....

Question: How is the sound transmitted from the tone arm to the horn? Are they connected by some additional plumbing inside the case? It would seem an inefficient mechanism for channeling the sound to the horn if they were not directly connected. If they are connected (but not visible from the outside), then I can see the advantage of this sort of configuration as one would simply need to pull up on the horn to remove it thus making disassembly easy.

Yes there is an internal conduit connecting the tonearm to the horn, it's purpose being to increase the overall length of the acoustic system. The length of these conduits and the position of the tonearms varies from model to model, as their dimensions were carefully calculated to suit the different available sizes of horn. It is this attention to detail which contributes to the legendary EMG/Expert sound quality.

As you surmise, the horn just lifts off, and being made of papier-applique it is lighter than it looks.

Not the first white EMG I've seen. The colour may have been a special order. I also believe that forum member 'chunnybh' has one. Perhaps he can shed some light on the story of white EMGs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCGqHaEEvWg

The EMG Xb Oversize in the YouTube clip is similar to the one depicted on Page 72 of the Frank James book, or it may even be the same machine, but I don't think this Mark VIII started life in white. The paint looks as though it was applied with a broom.

EMG and Expert gramophones were bespoke machines which could be finished to the customer's choice. Both firms offered a variety of finishes for their horns, and although the cases were usually oak, mahogany or (sometimes) walnut, special orders could be met.

Yes, the white paint was definitely applied later on this Mark VIII. Having now taken the tone arm, platter etc from it I can see it was originally dark oak. I will be restoring it to this colour. Horns were sometimes painted and, as I am not sure whether this one will strip successfully, I may refinish it. I will post some pictures in due course once the work has been done. The motor is a lovely looking Garrard 10b and luckily I have a 2 Spring soundbox.