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HMV 113

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203757512108 ... 0167.m2940

First, a very Merry Christmas to all, and hopes for a Happy New Year! (2021 shouldn't be hard to beat.)

Second, looking for opinions regarding the sound characteristics of the 113 as compared with a 102 or Columbia 9000. Curious how 113 horn length compares with the lighter weight portables as well.

Robert

HMVDevotee wrote: Sat Dec 25, 2021 1:35 pm First, a very Merry Christmas to all, and hopes for a Happy New Year! (2021 shouldn't be hard to beat.)

Second, looking for opinions regarding the sound characteristics of the 113 as compared with a 102 or Columbia 9000. Curious how 113 horn length compares with the lighter weight portables as well.

Robert

The HMV 113 is not really a portable, despite the handle on its side. You may call it a transportable. It is internally identical to the table top HMV130, with a relatively large exponentially-expanded tin horn. It reproduction is much better than any portable. The sound is comparable to Columbia plano-reflex tabletops of the period, that also have more sophisticated horn designs.

As Carlos has said already, the 113 is not a portable but a transportable table model based on the 130. However, being a Colonial exclusive model it is made from teak and very rare.

The example linked above appears to have been (poorly) refinished on the outside. That and the "Collection only" must be the reasons why a £500 machine hasn't sold at just £270-300?

Thanks, guys.... I appreciate the info.

Robert

There's something not quite right here. Why would there be two open-topped needle bowls on a machine that would be tipped on it's side when being carried, thus guaranteeing spillage of said needles? The 113s I've come across, including the one I sold recently, had no needle pots, and instead had two of the needle tin clips as found on other portables. Looking at others on Gooogle "images" also shows none with needle pots. Hmm.......

Barry

To be fair Barry, this is a 113A from late 1940s so anything is possible. It's probably also worth mentioning that as this was more of a table model which simply had a handle to make transporting it easier (it doesn't help in reality!) there's no reason for it not to have needle bowls like the 130/150. It just meant that you had to remember to remove loose needles before your servant collected it with the rest of your luggage!

Most of us are familiar with the 113 but how many have seen the 113A before?

Steve

Phono48 wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:28 am There's something not quite right here. Why would there be two open-topped needle bowls on a machine that would be tipped on it's side when being carried, thus guaranteeing spillage of said needles? The 113s I've come across, including the one I sold recently, had no needle pots, and instead had two of the needle tin clips as found on other portables. Looking at others on Gooogle "images" also shows none with needle pots. Hmm.......

Barry

I have two of these machines (don't ask me why). One has two slots to fit tungstone cans, and the other has the same pair of needle bowls shown in the machine in the advertisement. Both are genuine, with their numbers pressed on the teak plinth. The difference is probably consequence of market changes (they were still sold in the 40s, when tungstone needles were long gone). As to spillage of needles, nobody would actually carry a machine like that as a portable using the side handle. It weighs a ton, the handle probably would collapse, and not only needles would spill, but the whole machine as well. Another indication that such machine was not made to be carried sideways is that the turntable does not have a securing clip, meaning that it would dislodge and probably cause significant damage shaking inside the machine.

Steve, I just noticed that the one with the cups is the 113a. See photos. I had not noticed the little "a" on the tag until you mentioned it. Now we can say that there is difference between the 113 and the 113a.

Indeed Carlos. But also don't forget the 'A' was chrome plated and has the 102 portable style single action lid lock, so there are quite a few differences between the 1930s 113 and 1940s 113A, all to be expected really.

Your machines are very good condition too!