The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Picked this up from a rather hectic estate sale today for almost nothing. Missing all working parts (horn, motor, tonearm). It wins the "worst smelling phonograph" award. The overpowering urine-type odor immediately made me sick to my stomach and has leached from the garage into the house somehow. The smell is like the normal musty phonograph smell times 10!

Record boxes are present, just not pictured. I wanted to share because I am bad about not posting "before" pictures. The inside seems to be a darker oak finish, but its probably just dirty! Also, I haven't quite decided what I'm going to do with it, because it is missing a ton of stuff.

-Connor

Great cabinet! I have found a way to get rid of the musty smell. Get some lavender oil (or any other pleasant smelling oil) and mix it with mineral oil (mix it to what ever ratio you feel is necessary). Then brush the entire cabinet inside and out with a very thin coat and leave it 24 hours to soak in/ dry and it doesn't damage the shellac finish. And your phonograph should smell quiet strong of lavender for a couple of days and after that very faintly of lavender for months. I only do this to REALLY musty ones and it works very well 9 times out of 10.

Nice cabinet, especially in Oak. Most of these machines were Mahogany ans scarce in Oak. Parts are easy to find. The parts from a Model 50 will fit perfectly, except the horn.. Don't part out a good one though. Your machine will be really nice once it is restored.
Harvey Kravitz

Incredible cabinet! Nice score! Get yourself a bottle of urine neutralizer at the pet store and spray the heck out of the bare wood. Probably mouse pee you are smelling. Maybe set it on the patio for a few days. Maybe some Murphys oil soap on the outside.

Great find! I'm sure you will enjoy restoring this beauty.

Orange cleaners will get rid of rat smell. Just put the whole mess in a plastic trash bag with a tupperware full of orange cleaner in the bag with it. It will take a week or two.

In the process of cleaning with Goop! The finish is almost completely intact. I'm shocked! It stinks, but it sure is nice.

This darker lighting is more flattering to the greenish blue tint to the grain, and the underside of the lid has been cleaned, so that is the correct dark oak under there!

-Connor

Connor,

Looks great!

Beautiful! I hope you will be able to find all the correct parts and complete it.

Andreas

Wow ! Stunning wood !

Can you post a photo with the bottom doors open ?

I have a circa 1914 Deluxe, if you would like pics / measurements of the guts.

Yours should have a four-spring motor, mounted on a round motor-plate.

Elbow and arm would be the common 1913-1918 arm, with Columbia #6 reproducer.