The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

So, I have a pair of 1928 202 gramophones. One complete and another one missing its horn. Asked my friend to make me an exact replica of my original horn. This was easier said than done, but he did it! This is one-off and we are not making more.

That is pretty much incredible! I’m speechless, it is an incredible job.

Will you be making an oil bath motor next?

Next project is to make a new Burmese teak case for my second HMV 118 that has a woodworm/ badly repaired case.

I am in awe! I read your post before scrolling down to the pictures. I was expecting to see something FAR different. This is a work of art!

I understand that no others will ever be made and for that I am thankful but I'm curious nevertheless, from a strictly commercial point of view, does your friend have a cost he can place on his work, in other words, if this had been for someone other than you and charged out at proper rate for materials and labour, what would it have cost? What material has been used?

A sterling job done!

The horn was fabricated from the same gauge tinplate as the original. It is also going to be painted same shade of brown. My friend had to fabricate templates, and specific tools to be able to re-create all the details just like on the original one. After several weeks of work he just gave up counting the hours and promised himself that this was the first and last re-entrant horn he was ever going to make.

Jaso wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:24 am The horn was fabricated from the same gauge tinplate as the original. It is also going to be painted same shade of brown. My friend had to fabricate templates, and specific tools to be able to re-create all the details just like on the original one. After several weeks of work he just gave up counting the hours and promised himself that this was the first and last re-entrant horn he was ever going to make.

The original is zinc, hence why I was curious about material cost today. I'd say his work is almost priceless and you are lucky to count him as a friend!

Congratulations on this excellent piece of craftsmanship.

Maybe as an idea for people fabricating complicated items: discover if there is a demand for the item. I think for this size re-entrant, 10 would have probably easily found a buyer. In europe there a presently a few empty cabinets for sale, and between myself and a few other collectors, also a need. Economies of scale on the costs - though shipping from Australia is probably not cheap.

Is my imagination, or is the reproduced horn wider than the original, sitting next to it?

JerryVan wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 3:16 pm Is my imagination, or is the reproduced horn wider than the original, sitting next to it?

Given the length of time and effort gone into making it, I'd be very surprised if the new one didn't fit the 202 cabinet intended for it! I think it's simply the awkward camera angle giving it that illusion.

I'm more curious whether when completed, there is any detectable difference in sound quality between the zinc original and the tin reproduction.