The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi , I’m new to the forum and the world of gramophones.

My father-in-law sadly pasted away recently and his battered but prized gramophone now has a new home in London. It has seen better days but plays fine and, truth be told, sounds utterly bewitching and my wife and I are hooked. Ideally we would like to have it restored.

I’d also like to know a bit more about it.

It’s has an electric turntable a Garrad with a 202a motor. This case looks similar to an EMG deluxe mk VIII but has no markings I can find. The horn I think is a Davey Isophonic Papier Appliqué Horn

Can anyone offer any insights ?

Cheers
Steve

What a fantastic gramophone.

There are two or three people on here who are well able to answer any questions you have.

I don't know anything about EMG's - but I certainly like what I see. Lots of history !

poodling around wrote:What a fantastic gramophone.

There are two or three people on here who are well able to answer any questions you have.

I don't know anything about EMG's - but I certainly like what I see. Lots of history !

Thanks It’s a thing of beauty and I still can’t quite get over how amazingly 3D the soundstage is from it playing a scratchy 78. Totally beguiling ( although I did have to get some soft tone needles because it was so loud ! )

Heres a quick video of the first time it was played in its new home

Your EMG Mk.VIII De Luxe has been much modified, e.g. later horn and electric motor, but is potentially a fine machine and well worth restoring.
Whatever you decide to do, may I suggest that your first priority should be to get the woodworm infestation treated.

epigramophone wrote:Your EMG Mk.VIII De Luxe has been much modified, e.g. later horn and electric motor, but is potentially a fine machine and well worth restoring.
Whatever you decide to do, may I suggest that your first priority should be to get the woodworm infestation treated.

Thanks - yes I am on the case with the woodworm !

Yes indeed an EMG Mark VIII Deluxe. Here are more detail on the Deluxe on my website.
http://www.gramophonemuseum.com/emg-gra ... eluxe.html

Looks like the horn has been spared the woodworm. It's fair to assume this was upgraded at least once by EMG. The horn is a Mk Xa. The mouth should be 28". I've known that EMG used the Garrard 202 but it's the first time I have seen one fitted in an EMG. The 4-spring soundbox is also another upgrade.
Loads of potential for restoration and definitely a keeper. Do you have any paperwork with it?

chunnybh wrote:Yes indeed an EMG Mark VIII Deluxe. Here are more detail on the Deluxe on my website.
http://www.gramophonemuseum.com/emg-gra ... eluxe.html

Looks like the horn has been spared the woodworm. It's fair to assume this was upgraded at least once by EMG. The horn is a Mk Xa. The mouth should be 28". I've known that EMG used the Garrard 202 but it's the first time I have seen one fitted in an EMG. The 4-spring soundbox is also another upgrade.
Loads of potential for restoration and definitely a keeper. Do you have any paperwork with it?

Thanks for the info ( it was your site I was looking at that first made me think it was a mk VIII deluxe )

No paperwork at all I’m afraid - my wife says her dad told her the horn used to belong to Elsie Suddaby the English soprano but that could just be a family myth

Any recommendations for people who might be able to restore it ?

Cheers
Steve