The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Phono48 wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 11:00 am I bought this machine from ebay a couple of weeks ago, and it was sore disappointment when it arrived. Far from being "in perfect working order" as quoted on the listing, it didn't work at all, the motor was so gummed up with old grease. The spring bar that holds the crook in the "half-way" position was broken, and worst of all, the case had been scrubbed within an inch of it's life, so that all the grey defining lines between the raised parts of the pattern had disappeared completely This was my major concern, so after pondering the possibilities for a while, I bought a fine ink marking pen and started filling in ALL the sunken lines, which could be seen under a very good light. It took me three days to do the whole case, after which I sealed it with a coat of acrylic varnish. I considered polyurethane, but that takes on a yellow hue after a while, so would alter the colour of the case. There is still a tiny patch of worn covering near the handbrake, but it is not significant, so may leave it alone. After stripping the motor and taking the spring out, reassembly was easy, and after a polish of all the nickel parts (front lid clasp and handle ends are to be re-plated), it's looking good, and sounding great. The soundbox is an all-brass No.4, and has now had new rubber gaskets. There is a distinct difference between the colours of the brown and the grey versions, as can be seen, but I still wouldn't call the grey one a definite grey, more of a light brown. Take a look at the pattern of the case covering, and imagine, if you can how frustrating it was to fill in all those circles and lines!

Barry

Oedipus wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:54 am it is definitely what was sold as 'grey'. The colour of the turntable felt shows it.