The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just wanted to share the progress on my Silvertone Imperial machine. Just need to get the motor up and running and we'll be good as new. As I reassembled the pieces today.

What a great looking machine!

Nice job on that turntable velveteen.

George P.

You are right about that beautiful horn. Is that record storage under the horn???Tom

This sort of mimics the Credenza. It seems that other manufacturers had similar styles. Does this machine have a re-entrant horn? Nice machine and a beautiful restoration job.
Harvey Kravitz

I love it. Often I see them and the arms are swollen and won't turn and the reproducers are cracked. Is yours all functional? It goes nicely in your home what I can see of it. Seems like a rather unusual horn pattern as well.

In looking again at the photos the arm assembly appears to be in very good shape, I wonder if its metal or pot metal?

phonogfp wrote:What a great looking machine!

Nice job on that turntable velveteen.

George P.

Thanks George

tomb wrote:You are right about that beautiful horn. Is that record storage under the horn???Tom

The horn is the whole center section. Record storage on both sides top and bottom.

Phonofreak wrote:This sort of mimics the Credenza. It seems that other manufacturers had similar styles. Does this machine have a re-entrant horn? Nice machine and a beautiful restoration job.
Harvey Kravitz

It does not have a re-entrant horn. The horn is rather long though "squirming" through the back and up through the front louvered center section with an arched top.

larryh wrote:I love it. Often I see them and the arms are swollen and won't turn and the reproducers are cracked. Is yours all functional? It goes nicely in your home what I can see of it. Seems like a rather unusual horn pattern as well.

In looking again at the photos the arm assembly appears to be in very good shape, I wonder if its metal or pot metal?

It is entirely functional (except the motor, I'm working on it). The bearings under the arm are rough sometimes. I don't know if it's metal or pot metal the arm seems gold over brass at the elbow where it's worn through. I snapped up an additional reproducer for cheap, one needs a rebuild one does not. I'm having difficulty with gaskets and a diaphragm for it.

Thanks for the home comments, I'm restoring an 1880's Victorian, it will be in the 'music room'

I'll say it again- of all the Credenza Clones I've seen this may be the best- might even have better proportions.. The horn will have a sort of saxophone shape which means that while it isn't a re-entrant it will have a fair amount of length. I doubt it will sound as good as a Credenza but if the soundbox is good it should be quite respectable.