The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello, first post here. Recently picked up a Thorens suitcase phonograph. Needs a reproducer or parts to rebuild. Anyone know of any place to find these? My exhibition reproducer from the victor fits like a glove, but looking for a Thorens if possible. Thanks!

Hello, congrats and welcome herein!
Dunno where are you located, but Thorens soundboxes are very beasy to find in Europe; try eBay Europe (France, Germany mainly) or Leboncoin in France.
These are harder to find in the US.
Nice hunting!

For a portable, a soundbox from the Thorens 1930 range will probably be suitable :

Also, beware that the Thorens Argentin/Sonata soundboxes have been copied with the "His Master's Voice" stamping; they are fakes made in India and do not have near the build quality of an original Thorens part! Beware of the counterfeits.

If an Exhibition reproducer fits, then go with that until you find a Thorens... it's probably a better made reproducer than the Thorens portable anyway.

I think first you need to decide what type of soundbox your machine had originally, or at least choose whether you want a soundbox to play accoustic or electrical recording.

Is there a chance you could post a picture of your machine?
That may help determine an approximate age of your machine and what type of soundbox it had.

Below are 5 different examples, all made by Thorens and used on their machines. However, only the black one actually has the name Thorens on it, although 2 of the mica diaphragm examples include the Thorens "Anchor" trademark on the paper labels.

The first one is a copy of Victor's Exhibition and will perform as good as an original Victor.
The next 2 have a larger mica diaphragm and in my opinion are every bit as good as an Exhibition if not better in both sound quality and volume.
The bottom 2 both have aluminium diaphragms and were designed to play electrical recording.
And these are just a few of the many Thorens soundboxes out there. There were many different names they used on these, like "Brilliant", "Superior", "Sonata" and even "Sonora" (not to be confused with the Sonora phono co who's parts were supplied by Paillards of Switzerland).
As shown in the advert above and 2 of my boxes, these names often crossed over from mica to later boxes of completely different designs.

If we can see the type of tonearm used and the overall design of your machine, it may offer a clue as to which type and style of soundbox your machine may have had originally.

I have a Thorens 'Primaphonic' (the last model shown in gramophoneshane's picture above, though mine's in bronze, and it's also in the ad further above) that I've used for years to play electrical records on Victrolas. I've also had it briefly attached with tape (different bayonet) on a Credenza to compare sound quality with a rebuilt Orthophonic soundbox. I found the quality very good, very nearly the equal of the Orthophonic.

I'm fixing to sell my last acoustic Victrola and I won't have much use for this, so I'd part with it; would be great for you if you expect to play electricals a lot. I'll send you a PM, check your mailbox.

Cody