The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi-de-hi all,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154018971417

This Brunswick cabinet model has popped up, and it has a really interesting tone arm / soundbox arrangement. As you all tend to know a lot more than I do, I thought it might be a great opportunity to once again pick those wonderful brains and snaffle a bit of info - after all it’s always a learning curve (at least for me anyway, although I anyone suggesting my shortbread game needs polish, I AM prepared to challenge to handbags at dawn).

It looks to me as though the soundbox is a double needle-position affair to play both the usual and also Pathé discs (guessing from the side profile shot) but there are a few extra bits and bobs so it would be interesting to see what you all can point out!
Eager to learn as always!
-Antonia
Oh and (unrelated), for reference in terms of the quality of my shortbread.... Enjoy!

Hello Antonia--

You're absolutely right about the soundbox; the single-faced Ultona reproducer would play 78rpm lateral in one position and could flip over face down to play verticals. There is a counterweight in one end of the tone arm that you can set up for some very primitive anti-skating.

Brunswick motors were some of the best in the industry; now they're just some of the best in collections.

This one does have the automatic stop. I think it is a Model 117 phonograph but am not sure.

If you are to get it, I tell you it will be fun. Behind the grill (and we can see it with the cloth missing on this one) is a very good quality wooden horn, steam bent, and I think it is spruce. It's certainly better than the cut-off boxy horns on a Victrola. Brunswicks are capable of amazing sound even with early electrical records. And note that this one has a volume control, like most Brunswicks I have seen, to the rear of the crank socket.

I love spending other peoples' money. If you really like tinkering and wanted a full-sized cabinet model, this one is a great one to listen to. I have to say that cabinet models are a lot easier than portables to actually do long-term listening to; not as much cranking and they're more ergonomic. Sure, the tonearm is pot metal (although better than on a Columbia) and the technology is primitive but it's still a good one.

And the dessert looks like it came out wonderfully. Is that the new Talking Machine Forum cryptocurrency for record purchases?

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:Hello Antonia--

You're absolutely right about the soundbox; the single-faced Ultona reproducer would play 78rpm lateral in one position and could flip over face down to play verticals. There is a counterweight in one end of the tone arm that you can set up for some very primitive anti-skating.

Brunswick motors were some of the best in the industry; now they're just some of the best in collections.

This one does have the automatic stop. I think it is a Model 117 phonograph but am not sure.

If you are to get it, I tell you it will be fun. Behind the grill (and we can see it with the cloth missing on this one) is a very good quality wooden horn, steam bent, and I think it is spruce. It's certainly better than the cut-off boxy horns on a Victrola. Brunswicks are capable of amazing sound even with early electrical records. And note that this one has a volume control, like most Brunswicks I have seen, to the rear of the crank socket.

I love spending other peoples' money. If you really like tinkering and wanted a full-sized cabinet model, this one is a great one to listen to. I have to say that cabinet models are a lot easier than portables to actually do long-term listening to; not as much cranking and they're more ergonomic. Sure, the tonearm is pot metal (although better than on a Columbia) and the technology is primitive but it's still a good one.

And the dessert looks like it came out wonderfully. Is that the new Talking Machine Forum cryptocurrency for record purchases?

Fascinating info thank you! Sadly for me it is (as is often the case) far away from where I am (oop norf) so I wouldn't be able to lay my grubby paws on it. I thought it might prick the interest of someone nearer on here though perhaps hence posting it here

Oh and I think my desserts shouldn't be used as any respectable form of currency. Illicit bribery only! haha!

-Antonia

Yes, very interesting indeed Antonia! This Ultona plays laterals and Pathé verticals - there was also a double-faced version where the other side played Edison Diamond Discs too. Somewhere I have one of the latter type dual soundboxes which at some point I will overhaul to use on an EMG. Graham Rankin cleverly made a few tonearm adaptors for them a few years ago.

It's not TOO far from me, if you wanted to work something out!

Whoops, duplicated post

P.S. PLEASE shove some of that shortbread down the fibre optics for me, yum!

Orchorsol wrote:

Orchorsol wrote:Yes, very interesting indeed Antonia! As already mentioned, this Ultona plays laterals and Pathé verticals - there was also a double-faced version where the other side played Edison Diamond Discs too. Somewhere I have one of the latter type dual soundboxes which at some point I will overhaul to use on an EMG. Graham Rankin cleverly made a few tonearm adaptor pieces a few years ago.

It's not TOO far from me, if you wanted to work something out!

That's a very kind offer! Sadly at the moment I'm having to stick to portables as I don't have room for another cabinet. The problems with a small house with too much clutter in it haha!

I have plans to make the dining room into a music room at some point, but until then I need to be sensible and avoid temptation (really need to get the room redecorated at least before putting it to this grand new use) so it might take a while.

One day though I'm sure I'll have room for a couple more but until then I need to behave
-Antonia

ps sadly the shortbread is not digital and not USB compatible

Orchorsol wrote:Yes, very interesting indeed Antonia! This Ultona plays laterals and Pathé verticals - there was also a double-faced version where the other side played Edison Diamond Discs too. Somewhere I have one of the latter type dual soundboxes which at some point I will overhaul to use on an EMG. Graham Rankin cleverly made a few tonearm adaptors for them a few years ago.

It's not TOO far from me, if you wanted to work something out!

You could theoretically play Diamond Discs on this in the vertical position provided you had the correct diamond stylus. However, I will tell you that I have personally never had a single one of those styluses that didn't mark the records from first use. The two-sided Brunswick Ultona head has no such problems (provided the diamond isn't chipped or worn of course).