Interesting Sonora in Indian Mound TN

[dzavracky]

Seems like a neat machine. Why would they split the horn into two sides like that? And is it just me or does it look like it has a brunswick motor?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... 518be74e30

[JerryVan]

This was Sonora's answer to the Victor Orthophonic and Columbia Viva-Tonal models. I think they called them "Tonalic". Hence, the split horn, like a Viva-Tonal. Very difficult to find the Sonora reproducer not destroyed by pot metal degradation. This one looks good though.

[OrthoFan]

That's the Sonora Symphony model, circa 1926, part of Sonora's "Reproducing Phonograph" line, designed to compete with the Orthophonic Victrola, as Jerry noted. (Probably the seller found a 1915 patent date somewhere on the cabinet and figured that was when it was manufactured.)

Here's a video of one in action -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8BjX3FpY98

As for the double horn openings, there's a description of the tone chamber here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13932

OrthoFan

[dzavracky]

Thanks for the info! I have absolutely zero space for it... hope someone here can get it!

I wish those photos were still on that thread.....


David

[BillH_NJ]

I hope someone can get it. I have the Philharmonic that came out a year later as part of the Tonalic line after the Reproducing Phonographs of 1926. They are great machines and I WOULD LOVE to get the Symphony as well. The pot metal reproducers are crumbling though. I am not sure which one was used on the Symphony since my Concert has a No. 5 with the same size mount as previous Sonoras and the Philharmonic uses a No. 5 B with the mount changed to the same size as the Victor Orthophonic.

Bill

[UpstateNYBilly]

I purchased mine from Louis Caruso (Rochester, NY) earlier this year. It's a handsome machine but, sadly, the comment about the reproducers is valid. The one on it was only serviceable. I had Bill Meyer take a look at it and he did some fiddling with it and it sounded better. After that I found a Sonora portable with a similar reproducer and Bill pieced the original together. It sounds pretty decent now. This machine weighs a ton. I had to pull the legs off and re-glue them because it was a bit wobbly. Solid as a rock now. Very happy to have it in the collection and I got mine from Louis for about the same amount of money. Highly recommend anyone who's the least bit interested to snatch that one up!

And, of course, I would love to have a Sonora Philharmonic! Great looking machines!