The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Here's a chance to own something not often seen outside of the UK- an Orchorsol portable! It's in tatty condition, but runs well and sounds really nice. With a lot of TLC and patience, the cosmetics could be addressed very satisfactorily, I think.
The star of the show here is the almost EMG wannabe soundbox, of course, with its unique "lifebelt" setup for enhanced bass and tracking alignment/ tuning. This one is still quite supple. I tried this on my HMV 32 and the "presence" (for lack of a better term) is pretty amazing. I just HAD to pick this up as I like oddball Euro machines, but I will likely never get to it as this sort of machine simply is not my focus.

I thought long and hard about keeping the soundbox for the 32 and trashing the rest, but decided against that. Besides... who could throw out that famously creepy- charming Baby Chucky logo?

It even has the record holder!
$200 plus shipping- I pack well and use "Pirate Ship" to keep costs down... (check them out- you'll be pleasantly surprised!) PayPal "Friends and Family" or your good check accepted. Bank transfers accepted for overseas buyers. And yes... I ship worldwide.

Be the only kid on the block with one of these!

Sold!

I assume that the new owner is a forum member, so may I offer a word of advice.
As Peter reports that the soundbox is performing well, I would resist any temptation to dismantle it.
Although the main body is cast aluminium, the rear flange which attaches the lifebelt is pot metal. Other collectors have discovered to their cost that it is liable to disintegrate if attempts are made to remove it.

My Orchorsol portable has the early soundbox with adjusting screws which were later replaced by springs.
It also predates the image of a bawling infant found inside the lids of later examples.

Wise words from epigramophone - those rear flanges almost always crumble - sometimes when merely adjusting the tension on the three screws. One enthusiast I know made a new one in brass.

Orchorsol wrote: Fri Jan 19, 2024 6:05 am Wise words from epigramophone - those rear flanges almost always crumble - sometimes when merely adjusting the tension on the three screws. One enthusiast I know made a new one in brass.

Well- I committed all those sins in my ignorance, fortunately without issue. But the brass collar would be my go- to plan in the event of failure for sure. Epigramophone's green example is quite nice. I think I would go for the "Jackson Pollock" version of this machine if one ever comes up: