The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I bought this Sonora phonograph recently and, as this is the first Sonora I have ever owned, I wanted to see if anyone could share information on how the reproducer should operate as well as general info on the type of machine this is.

I think this would be one of the art models Sonora produced. What does that mean. I know most of the phonograph companies had art models; but, I am not sure what that means. Were fewer produced? Or were they considered 'high end' at the time? Any info would be very helpful. It has the motor meter that shows how many records can be played before winding again.

Also, it has the wooden tone arm. I don't know how to work the reproducer on this, given that I understood that Sonora phonographs could play all types of records. Does the reproducer need to be changed to play records other than regular 78's.

I am a real novice when it comes to a Sonora.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

That's gorgeous, congratulations!

I'll second the motion: that's a gorgeous machine!

"Art models" generally were high-end, extra-fancy cases, I think in the catalogue but only obtainable by special order, that emulated fine antique furniture. The were priced such that only the extremely well-to-do could afford them; sales accordingly were very low, like single or low double digits, and only a handful, if any, of any art model machine would be likely to survive today. For example, according to the Frow book Edison's largest French Gothic model cost $6,000 when introduced in 1916. According to a government calculator site, that amounts to better than $150,000 in today's dollars. The smallest of the three French Gothics, at $1,100, would be in excess of $28,000 today.

That money went for the fancy case. As far as I know, the mechanism was no different from that of a mundane C-250 upright or other "laboratory model" machine.

Congratulations on that beautiful Sonora Louis XV - what a knockout!

Starting in the mid-teens, there was a general fad (among Americans at least) for "period furniture," and the phonograph companies were quick to offer cabinets that emulated the designs of certain famous cabinet makers (such as Chippendale or Sheraton) and historical periods (such as Louis XV). Sonora referred to its high-end historical cabinet models as "Periods." I have attached scans from Sonora's 1922 "Periods" catalog which shows your model.

There may be an additional sound box in a drawer within the playing compartment. If so, one of the machine's sound boxes will play lateral-cut records and the other will play vertical-cut.

Sonora acquired the Herzog Art Furniture Company in 1919, and its already fine cabinets became even better. Congratulations again!

George P.

The reproducer might need new rubber gaskets if the old ones are hard. New needles are required for each record played. Thick Edison records use a different reproducer which Sonora supplied with your machine. The hill and dale reproducer has a diamond needle which never needs changing unless damaged. Your beautiful Sonora is indeed a rare treasure. Congratulations

Sonora dealer information I have states a list price of $325 for the Louis XV when new.

bob stutz...Go Pack Go

Congratulations, that is a beautiful machine. Larry

I have this same machine. I bought it a few years back and I've got it in the line-up to finish working on. Bill Meyer overhauled the motor for me. It appears that my applique design on the front may be a bit different from yours - I can't tell for sure - but yours is a beauty! It's amazing how long the cabinet is. You've motivated me to see what I need to do to get mine assembled and out on the floor!

That applique design looks professionally painted - pretty interesting!

Are there any other painted areas?

George P.

Wow!! Thank you for all the kind comments friends! I thought mine was beautiful but yours is really spectacular!
Would you be willing to send me some pics of your tone arm upstatenybilly?

I found out why I was having trouble with mine. It seems a piece is broken/missing from the bottom of mine. I think it might have to do with triggering the auto stop. Plus the connection to the elbow isnt smooth and affects playing.

I guess I need to see if anyone has one to sell so I could replace mine. Also I am missing the sound box for vertical cut records.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!