The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings
I joined this forum recently because I want to know more about this beautiful sounding machines. I purchased this gramophone floor cabinet from a local charity shop last week. It was standing tucked in corner and immediately caught my eye as me and my wife love antique furniture. I opened the lid and gramophone started to spin and I knew I wanted it straight away. I didn't even ask for the price but I paid £25 at the checkout. Only when I got home I opened the drawers and found a crank, two soundboxes and needles box. I would like to know who manufactured the cabinet because there is no label on it. Cabinet is around 125 cm high and 50cm wide and 50cm deep. Mechanism is by Garrard Super and it works but no perfectly because it stops immediately after switching lever to "stop" position so it needs to be serviced at some point. One Soundbox is by Swiss Pianina and the other is Juwel Electro by German Goldring, even came with cardboard box in a good condition so there's good value in them too! And of course there is HMV needle box which I need to fill with new needles soon. The cabinet needs to be treated and repaired as you can see there is a crack on the right hand side. I already purchased mini clamps, wood glue and afterwards I want to treat and clean cabinet properly. Sound reproduction is loud and clear even with used needles but I only span few 78 records just to for a quick test. So yeah, I fell in love with this cabinet but I would like to know more who the maker was and what year it was made, my assumption is it was made in the mid 1920's.

The problem is, once you fall in love with one, more will follow... and so will the records. Learning about these is a fun journey, I don't know what sort of machine that is (not familiar with the UK production) but wish you all the luck in your new journey/hobby!

Also not conversant with the foreign machines, but congratulations and welcome to the hobby and the forum! I really like that cabinet design; it's like nothing I've seen before, with a cupboard over an open shelf. I'm wondering if it might be custom built by a skilled cabinetmaker to house stock parts? Just an idle speculation there, and regardless, I wish you all the best in getting it fully shipshape.

You seriously 'lucked out' there - any working gramophone is great for £25, even a relatively lowly one like this (it's what we sometimes call an off-brand, meaning not by one of the major makes, but made probably by a small cabinet/furniture making firm using generic off-the-shelf gramophone parts - as suggested by drh - or could even have been made by a skilled private individual) - but the real prize here is the Garrard Super motor, which is a huge high quality beast and highly prized in its own right. Also great to have that HMV needle tin which has considerable value, and nice to have two soundboxes (a.k.a. reproducers to our American friends). I'm assuming you're in the UK?

Thank you guys for your warm welcome and your answers! I haven't thought that cabinet could be custom made, even though it could be build much later than the parts. And yeah I'm based in UK, South East London. Few months ago I saw HMV portable gramophone in St Christopher's charity shop (different branch of the same thrift store I bought cabinet from - see the picture) but the price was too steep for me - £150, so yeah I got very lucky
Last question, what would be the best product to nourish it? I don't want to restore it, just feed the wood and I bring some shine back. I know Antiquax Original Polish puts a layer on the surface only. Or maybe use melamine polish but it might be unsuitable since cabinet will be exposed to some direct sunlight for some hours

Personally I'd go with the Lord Sheraton which from personal experience I know is a nice benign antique-friendly one. I may be wrong but I think the Briwax may be a bit 'aggressive', with a strong solvent in it.

If the cabinet needs a good clean first - you'll see people talking about Gojo in various threads - a similar product here in the UK is Swarfega but make sure you don't use the stuff with particles in it, just the clear jelly type.

Other than that, just take things easy and enjoy! Steel needles - use only new ones and throw them away after every side played. Soundgen (here or on eBay) supplies the best. Think towards lubricating the motor soon (variously ordinary lithium grease or sewing machine oil on the external parts, assuming they're fairly clean) and at some point you'll want to think about servicing the soundbox - that Juwel Electro is quite a nice one, pretty similar to an HMV No. 4 which is well regarded. I'm not too far away in Dover, feel free to reach out!

Vinyloved wrote: Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:31 pm Mechanism is by Garrard Super and it works but no perfectly because it stops immediately after switching lever to "stop" position so it needs to be serviced at some point.

I'm pretty sure that's what it's meant to do?

Barry

follow these steps:

Check for Brand and Markings:
Look for any brand names or manufacturer's markings.

Examine Design and Features:
Inspect the design, horn type, and materials used.

Inspect Turntable and Tonearm:
Check the turntable and tonearm design.

Look for Serial Numbers:
Check for any stamped or engraved serial numbers.

Research Online or Consult an Expert:
Use online resources or consult an expert for further identification.

Another thought, I was stupidly forgetting that (almost uniquely amongst gramophone spring motors) your motor has an internal oil pump - as opposed to externally lubricated gears, governor etc. Search 'Garrard Super' on here for more information. You may hear slight sucking noises as you wind the handle - this is the pump operating. If you find the motor needs attention, seek out someone who knows them - these are amongst the most challenging to overhaul.

The cabinet looks to be English-Walnut or Rose-Wood