Variations in Early A,B,C,D Zonophone Bedplates

[Zwebie]

I have been collecting Early Zonophones for a few years and have noticed several variations in the design of the Bedplates. These are the bedplates and motors used on the Early Zonophone Type A,B,C, and D. The interesting thing is that when you purchased an Early Zonophone, the motor and bedplate were interchangeable from model to model. The extra dollars spent would buy you a fancier case and horn.


The earliest version is a flat nickeled bedplate with an offset, (more toward the center), support arm attached by a machine screw and square nut. The correct tonearm for this earliest bedplate has an oval cross-section and is slightly longer than the later tonearms. Note the tiny brake lever.

The second version has a raised edge around the bedplate with a raised serial number. The support arm is connected from beneath the bedplate by a spring-loaded machine screw. The correct tonearm has a pressed “C” shaped cross-section and is the proper length to line up the reproducer with the center of the turntable. The brake lever is now larger.

The third version has a raised edge around the bedplate and has a hump in the casting that rises above the bedplate, (the serial number is on the face of this hump). The support arm is connected from above the bedplate by a knurled nut. The brake lever is the same as the second style.

The fourth version has a raised edge around the bedplate as well as a raised circular section in the center of the bedplate. It also has the hump, as in the third version. The support arm is connected from above the bedplate by a slotted knurled nut. The brake and brake lever are now a larger style that would soon be carried into the Zonophone “Home”. (I’ve also noticed that the turntable is slightly taller than earlier versions).

People sometimes confuse the early Zonophone “Home” machines with a Zonophone Type “C”, but the easiest way to tell the difference is that the early A,B,C,D machines cranks are centered on the bedplates, and the “Home” cranks are off-set.

Cheers, Bob S.