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HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:47 pm
by poodling around
So, I was sitting in my (complete mess of a) gramophone room and wondered about some-thing.
I have two early model HMV 102's with metal motor-boards. One is 'wood grained' for a black 102 and the other is red .... for a red one.
I don't think I have ever seen any other colours - like green or blue with metal 'boards'.
So, I wonder, were there early HMV 102's with metal motor boards other than the wood grain or red colour ?
Thanks as always for any information about this.
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2024 5:11 pm
by Phono48
I've got a grey 102 with a metal motor board.
Barry
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 4:27 am
by epigramophone
My Red Leather 102 and my "La Voix de son Maitre" Blue 102 both have metal motor boards.
To the best of my knowledge, the full colour range was available from the start of production in 1931, so all the earliest versions would have had metal motor boards and No.16 soundboxes.
Roger.
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 4:52 am
by Steve
poodling around wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:47 pm
So, I was sitting in my (complete mess of a) gramophone room and wondered about some-thing.
I have two early model HMV 102's with metal motor-boards. One is 'wood grained' for a black 102 and the other is red .... for a red one.
I don't think I have ever seen any other colours - like green or blue with metal 'boards'.
So, I wonder, were there early HMV 102's with metal motor boards other than the wood grain or red colour ?
Thanks as always for any information about this.
Yes, every colour was available with metal motorboards. I own a brown, grey, red leather and several black versions with metal type but I've variously owned or seen countless blue, red and green leathercloth versions too.
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:24 am
by An Balores
Is it the earlier 102's that have (or are more likely to have - I'm thinking about the 1930's depression) metal motorboards? Mine has a leathercloth motorboard and dates from 1939.....
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:43 am
by poodling around
Phono48 wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 5:11 pm
I've got a grey 102 with a metal motor board.
Barry
I hadn't even thought of the colour grey ! That sounds very interesting indeed. I guess the motor-board is grey too.
Great item !
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:46 am
by poodling around
epigramophone wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 4:27 am
My Red Leather 102 and my "La Voix de son Maitre" Blue 102 both have metal motor boards.
To the best of my knowledge, the full colour range was available from the start of production in 1931, so all the earliest versions would have had metal motor boards and No.16 soundboxes.
Roger.
Thank you for confirming epigramophone.
Very interesting that those destined for 'the European market' had metal motor-boards as well.
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:50 am
by poodling around
Steve wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 4:52 am
poodling around wrote: Sun Jan 07, 2024 1:47 pm
So, I was sitting in my (complete mess of a) gramophone room and wondered about some-thing.
I have two early model HMV 102's with metal motor-boards. One is 'wood grained' for a black 102 and the other is red .... for a red one.
I don't think I have ever seen any other colours - like green or blue with metal 'boards'.
So, I wonder, were there early HMV 102's with metal motor boards other than the wood grain or red colour ?
Thanks as always for any information about this.
Yes, every colour was available with metal motorboards. I own a brown, grey, red leather and several black versions with metal type but I've variously owned or seen countless blue, red and green leathercloth versions too.
A brown one too ! I am obviously not looking (or noticing) these other colours.
I do like the metal motor-boards. I don't know why - maybe simply because they indicate early 102's.
Thanks as always steve.
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:56 am
by poodling around
An Balores wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:24 am
Is it the earlier 102's that have (or are more likely to have - I'm thinking about the 1930's depression) metal motorboards? Mine has a leathercloth motorboard and dates from 1939.....
I am no expert but I think that you are correct, only the early one's had metal motor-boards. I don't know the production dates though.
I wonder why they were changed to wooden motor-boards later though as I would have thought that the metal one's were cheaper to produce ? Maybe to accomodate newly introduced motors ?
HMV 102's are very good I think and it is good to know that you have one in your collection.
Re: HMV 102's with metal motor-boards question
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 6:10 am
by An Balores
poodling around wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:56 am
An Balores wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 5:24 am
Is it the earlier 102's that have (or are more likely to have - I'm thinking about the 1930's depression) metal motorboards? Mine has a leathercloth motorboard and dates from 1939.....
I am no expert but I think that you are correct, only the early one's had metal motor-boards. I don't know the production dates though.
I wonder why they were changed to wooden motor-boards later though as I would have thought that the metal one's were cheaper to produce ? Maybe to accomodate newly introduced motors ?
HMV 102's are very good I think and it is good to know that you have one in your collection.
I'm no expert either but I'm thinking that the metal ones were as a result of early 30's austerity and the more expensive wood boards covered with leathercloth/rexine were introduced as the economy picked up?
Yes, I do like my blue 102. I have had it since 1972 when my parents gave it to me for Christmas. It is in very good condition. My mum picked it up in a local jumble sale for the princely sum of £1!