The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

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

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.

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

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

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

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!