The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Everyone
Would anybody have any information on this particular model Sonora? I can't find anything online to indicate the date of manufacture nor any photos that show whether or not this model had a grill cloth in it. I'm assuming it did but I can't be certain.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Bill Daugherty

UpstateNYBilly wrote:Hi Everyone
Would anybody have any information on this particular model Sonora? I can't find anything online to indicate the date of manufacture nor any photos that show whether or not this model had a grill cloth in it. I'm assuming it did but I can't be certain.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Bill Daugherty

All I know is you have a really cool and impressive looking machine! Those Sonora’s with the period design are so cool! And owned by the well to do.

Here's a little more about, if it's helpful to you; viewtopic.php?f=14&t=46553&hilit=+sonora

The machine appears to be a Sonora “Period” machine. The Antique Phonograph society has a downloadable book on Sonora. The period machines typically had a grill with no cloth, (examples below). Unless it is hidden somewhere in the cabinet, you will probably have to make your own or have one produced. Lucky for you, it is a flat grill. Good luck.

Here is my period Chippendale— no cloth, but the wooden grille as above. I hope you can find the correct one for yours.

Bill

JerryVan wrote:Here's a little more about, if it's helpful to you; viewtopic.php?f=14&t=46553&hilit=+sonora

It's the same machine in both posts

It looks like a variation of the Jacobean. It has the earlier 1916-1918 Sonora tonearm design, but the later electric pickup add-on is making me think more around 1922-1925.

I went through quite a few pages of the talking machine world and didn't see any ads for it.( https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-B ... zoom_xml=0)

Thanks everyone for the help and the replies so far!

I didn't know the cabinet style - now it does indeed appear to be much like the Jacobean model. I have the original bill of sale and it's dated 1918. I'm guessing the pickup was added at a later date.

Wish there was a photo of it with the grill exposed. The wood is pretty enough on the horn itself that it isn't the end of the world if that's what it ends up being, but still it'd be nice to have the machine completed authentically.

I have the Louis XV Deluxe and the Queen Anne as well so this is a nice addition to the collection. And while we're on Sonoras... can anyone help me identify this one? I've had it for years and I've been told it's an Invincible or a Deluxe Baby Grand but I can't find anything on the Internet to support that. Any of you seasoned vets know the answer?

Thanks again for always being so helpful.

Bill

UpstateNYBilly wrote:Thanks everyone for the help and the replies so far!

I didn't know the cabinet style - now it does indeed appear to be much like the Jacobean model. I have the original bill of sale and it's dated 1918. I'm guessing the pickup was added at a later date.

Wish there was a photo of it with the grill exposed. The wood is pretty enough on the horn itself that it isn't the end of the world if that's what it ends up being, but still it'd be nice to have the machine completed authentically.

I have the Louis XV Deluxe and the Queen Anne as well so this is a nice addition to the collection. And while we're on Sonoras... can anyone help me identify this one? I've had it for years and I've been told it's an Invincible or a Deluxe Baby Grand but I can't find anything on the Internet to support that. Any of you seasoned vets know the answer?

Thanks again for always being so helpful.

Bill

whoa ! we need to see all our your phonographs , please let us have more pictures . the house is OMG by the way

Hi Bill,

The upright Sonora you show above has puzzled me since I first saw a picture of it. It has features of both the Invincible and the Supreme. It is not pictured in any of the 15 Sonora machine catalogs I own (I know there are others I have not seen). One of our TMF members sold one through eBay several years ago, and he called it an Invincible, but really had no proof to back up that claim when I inquired.

Very, very nice,
Bob (a Sonora guy)