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Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:06 pm
by Antonia E
First post on the forum so hello all!

Have stumbled upon this posting while rummaging on EuckBay - looks like a fairly bog standard off-brand tabletop model being sold (branded as "Chorister") but it is being sold with what is described as "extras" = from the photos these are a selection of soundboxes, one of which (as far as a fuzzy photo goes) looks rather Orchorsol shaped at least from the front. Its a UK listing - thought I'd link here in case it is useful to anyone! If anyone does go for it would be lovely to find out if it WAS a good thing spotted or not :)
-Antonia

Link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VINTAGE-CHOR ... 4346441794
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Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:43 pm
by Curt A
Welcome to the forum...

It's actually a nice table top machine in above average condition with a nice tonearm and original reproducer. The extra reproducers don't really stand out to me, but I'm not that familiar with foreign phonographs. There is a nice Songster spear point needle tin which appears to be unopened and a Dulcetto something or other... Does anyone know what that Dulcetto thing actually is?

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 7:55 pm
by Antonia E
Curt A wrote:Welcome to the forum...

It's actually a nice table top machine in above average condition with a nice tonearm and original reproducer. The extra reproducers don't really stand out to me, but I'm not that familiar with foreign phonographs. There is a nice Songster spear point needle tin which appears to be unopened and a Dulcetto something or other... Does anyone know what that Dulcetto thing actually is?

Oh dear - did I manage to put my foot in my mouth with my very first post? That would be a record even for me!

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2020 8:21 pm
by Curt A
No, you didn't put your foot in your mouth, but in my opinion, this is a nice uncommon brand machine. I would bid on it if I lived anywhere near it... It's not a high end phonograph, but it appears to be well made "off-brand" phonograph, made in Chicago and I am a fan of those types of machines.

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 5:23 am
by Orchorsol
Hello Antonia and welcome to the forum!

Interesting items! Yes, that's an Orchorsol soundbox, but it may not be of any use if the diaphragm has corrosion (there seems to be some on the exterior) and it doesn't have the elaborate lifebelt arrangement that some of them have.

I wonder if the Dulcetto item might be a record cleaning pad?

Andy :)

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 7:38 am
by Antonia E
Orchorsol wrote:Hello Antonia and welcome to the forum!

Interesting items! Yes, that's an Orchorsol soundbox, but it may not be of any use if the diaphragm has corrosion (there seems to be some on the exterior) and it doesn't have the elaborate lifebelt arrangement that some of them have.

I wonder if the Dulcetto item might be a record cleaning pad?

Andy :)

Oh that's an interesting idea! I picked up a quirky Dulcetto record pad a short time ago - it has a sliding magnet bar to pick up wayward bits of shrapnel.... needles..... the dog's collar... etc
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Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 1:23 pm
by Inigo
Welcome! Another woman gramophonist! This is a joy!
Good place to fall into, this one. We learn lots of new things herein everyday. This is full of people ready to help in restorations and all kind of gramophonic works... This machine looks great. With a bit of cleaning and care on the wood, it will become a real beauty.

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2020 3:17 pm
by Antonia E
Inigo wrote:Welcome! Another woman gramophonist! This is a joy!
Good place to fall into, this one. We learn lots of new things herein everyday. This is full of people ready to help in restorations and all kind of gramophonic works... This machine looks great. With a bit of cleaning and care on the wood, it will become a real beauty.

Pleasure to be here Inigo!

As a matter of fact I found your postings relating to your rebuilding a Meltrope III extremely useful, along with great advice from Orchorsol and Soundgen (all be it having connected by other dark paths than this forum!)

Fabulously happy to be part of such a lovely community :)

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 10:13 am
by jamiegramo
Curt A wrote:No, you didn't put your foot in your mouth, but in my opinion, this is a nice uncommon brand machine. I would bid on it if I lived anywhere near it... It's not a high end phonograph, but it appears to be well made "off-brand" phonograph, made in Chicago and I am a fan of those types of machines.
Hello Antonia, and another welcome to the forum! Never worry about putting your foot in your mouth!... it stopped me posting for quite a few years.

Curt, i'm not sure this Chorister is the same as the US company. The Chorister products I have seen in the UK are made in England.

Re: Offbrand tabletop with soundboxes - possible orchorsol?

Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2020 10:59 am
by soundgen
jamiegramo wrote:
Curt A wrote:No, you didn't put your foot in your mouth, but in my opinion, this is a nice uncommon brand machine. I would bid on it if I lived anywhere near it... It's not a high end phonograph, but it appears to be well made "off-brand" phonograph, made in Chicago and I am a fan of those types of machines.
Hello Antonia, and another welcome to the forum! Never worry about putting your foot in your mouth!... it stopped me posting for quite a few years.

Curt, i'm not sure this Chorister is the same as the US company. The Chorister products I have seen in the UK are made in England.
As Jamie says you can't put your foot in it :D , as no one knows everything and those that think they do are wrong ! And fresh inputs are always stimulating !