The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/sear ... %20Valuers

As well as the Expert Senior pictured below, this sale includes a Vesper, a Three Muses and a Decca 88.
It is likely that they all came from the home of a discerning collector.
The case of the Senior is more elaborately veneered than we usually see on Expert machines.
The Decca 88 has acquired a later Decca Meltrope style soundbox.

I don't see that the Expert has elaborate veneering beyond what seems typical for this design of cabinet. Apart from the different veneer (mine is oak), my Expert Senior has exactly the same pattern of veneering.

The Vesper featuring the Seymour internals is certainly interesting.

The 88 is a bit of a rarity and probably the best portable from the time it was made.

Do we know whose machines these are? Surely someone here must have a shout on the Expert?

Steve wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 8:54 am I don't see that the Expert has elaborate veneering beyond what seems typical for this design of cabinet. Apart from the different veneer (mine is oak), my Expert Senior has exactly the same pattern of veneering.

Usually EMG's are more elaborately veneered than Experts, but this Expert looks more elaborate than your recently acquired EMG.

But it's fairly typical for an Expert.

epigramophone wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:13 pm

Steve wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 8:54 am I don't see that the Expert has elaborate veneering beyond what seems typical for this design of cabinet. Apart from the different veneer (mine is oak), my Expert Senior has exactly the same pattern of veneering.

Usually EMG's are more elaborately veneered than Experts, but this Expert looks more elaborate than your recently acquired EMG.

Just to show that my ignorance knows no bounds I have a question

I thought that Expert and EMG gramophones 'bought in' and used other companies cabinets / cases. Using HMV cases for example. From what you say though, EMG / Expert added veneer to cases ? Maybe even made their own 'cases' ???

poodling around wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2023 6:09 pm

epigramophone wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:13 pm

Steve wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 8:54 am I don't see that the Expert has elaborate veneering beyond what seems typical for this design of cabinet. Apart from the different veneer (mine is oak), my Expert Senior has exactly the same pattern of veneering.

Usually EMG's are more elaborately veneered than Experts, but this Expert looks more elaborate than your recently acquired EMG.

Just to show that my ignorance knows no bounds I have a question

I thought that Expert and EMG gramophones 'bought in' and used other companies cabinets / cases. Using HMV cases for example. From what you say though, EMG / Expert added veneer to cases ? Maybe even made their own 'cases' ???

EMG and Expert made their own cabinets or had them purpose made by outside contractors.

I think you might be getting confused with the EMG conversions of HMV machines?

Steve wrote: Mon Sep 25, 2023 5:52 am

poodling around wrote: Sun Sep 24, 2023 6:09 pm

epigramophone wrote: Tue Sep 19, 2023 1:13 pm

Usually EMG's are more elaborately veneered than Experts, but this Expert looks more elaborate than your recently acquired EMG.

Just to show that my ignorance knows no bounds I have a question

I thought that Expert and EMG gramophones 'bought in' and used other companies cabinets / cases. Using HMV cases for example. From what you say though, EMG / Expert added veneer to cases ? Maybe even made their own 'cases' ???

EMG and Expert made their own cabinets or had them purpose made by outside contractors.

I think you might be getting confused with the EMG conversions of HMV machines?

Very interesting indeed !

I didn't realise that at all - and you are right, I thought all EMG / expert gramophones were 'conversions' !

I had an Expert Senior that had a case in similar proportions, except in oak.

Garret

It looks like the Vesper and Three muses gramophones may sell for a small amount maybe.

Only £ 5 bids at the moment. All eyes seem to be on the Expert ?

I would have thought that the Vesper particularly would be very sought after. Seems to have an original Seymour tone-arm maybe - I am unsure about the sound-box though.

E.M.Ginn set up Expert in opposition to EMG in 1930. With two firms competing for what was a small niche market, both of them struggled during the depression years. EMG kept their workshops busy by offering to convert customer's old gramophone cabinets to house EMG acoustic systems, giving the customer a considerable saving over the cost of a complete machine.
Expert did not have the facilities to undertake such conversions, and so found it even harder to survive.