Unusual looking HMV 102 ? Maybe India Teak HMV 102 ????

[poodling around]

Is this a teak HMV 102 made in India ????

I don't know.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 7100f27ff8

[Phono48]

The lid looks to be a little too deep for a genuine 102, and the raised "His Master's Voice" panel in the lid appears to be a standard black one, so I reckon there's something a bit suspect about the whole thing. If it is a genuine 102, was it a black one that has been stripped? That wood doesn't look like teak to me! Hmmm.........

Barry

[poodling around]

The lid looks to be a little too deep for a genuine 102, and the raised "His Master's Voice" panel in the lid appears to be a standard black one, so I reckon there's something a bit suspect about the whole thing. If it is a genuine 102, was it a black one that has been stripped? That wood doesn't look like teak to me! Hmmm.........

Barry

Very interesting indeed.

I wonder if there should be those metal 'edge protecting' things attached too ? If some-one just made a new wooden case I wonder where they went to ? I can't quite see if the joints are 'Dove-tail' which I think would be expected ?

Anyway, thanks very much Phono48.

[epigramophone]

There are some unscrupulous sellers who strip 102's of their case coverings and attempt to pass them off as Indian teak, but the auctioneers make no such claim. I too cannot make out the woodwork joints from the sole picture.
It almost looks as though the case has been recovered in a woodgrain fabric, and it is missing the lock. Avoid!

[Steve]

It's almost certainly a new hardwood case, not a stripped down rexine case. For a start a 102 never had a proper wooden lid! The lock fixing holes are missing so there has never been a lock fitted. The black panel in the lid is from a standard 102 and so is the motorboard. If you look closely its quite evident that its a WALNUT veneered motorboard which has nothing in common with the outer case which could be teak, I'm not sure. What I am sure is that it's not original.

[poodling around]

Oh, it has re-appeared on ebay.

Looks like a green back-board.

I still can't see if it has any dove-tail joints ..........

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125278412564 ... SwcmBiZYfg

[epigramophone]

The soundbox which was present at the auction has been removed, no doubt to be sold separately. The lid transfer panel might be saveable if the screw holes can be disguised. The case lock, carrying handle and other small parts are missing.
It would have to be bought very cheaply even to be cost effective as a donor machine.

[soundgen]

The soundbox which was present at the auction has been removed, no doubt to be sold separately. The lid transfer panel might be saveable if the screw holes can be disguised. The case lock, carrying handle and other small parts are missing.
It would have to be bought very cheaply even to be cost effective as a donor machine.

two soundboxes on Ebay now

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?item= ... x&_sacat=0

[poodling around]

Although this 'is what it is', I wonder how this would sound compared to an Indian Teak 102 ?

After all, it looks like fairly thick hard wood .................

[epigramophone]

I don't think the case material makes much difference to the sound quality of a portable.
My Indian Teak 102 sounds no better and no worse than any of my British made 102's.