The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If this is a Crapophone or a Frankenphone they are certainly improving.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auct ... 3c35c56923

It looks like somebody was a cabinet maker and made the case themselves. Possibly also the horn. The marquetry is beautiful.

I'm assuming that such a home made gramophone, perhaps from second hand parts but maybe not would be called a frankenphone.
But I'm fairly sure the person who made this just wanted a gramophone for playing records and wanted it as nice as they could make it without any thought for subsequent sales. So yes I think it's a frankenphone but I certainly don't think the maker intended to decieve anybody.

We cannot see the soundbox so can't be sure it's not a crapophone. But I don't think it is.
And of course everybody has an opinion. I have mine.

The soundbox is based on a Thorens design, frequently copied on Crapophones. The (Garrard?) turntable with it's brown rim also sets the alarm bells ringing, but I agree that the woodwork of the case and horn is of an unusually high standard.

£300-500? OK. Most auctioneers estimate genuine HMV horn machines well below that, even when equipped with original wooden horns!

I agree it looks like a labour of love for an accomplished cabinet maker who built their own gramophone with good quality original parts. The soundbox is probably a replica Thorens engraved "His Master's Voice" - a classic Crapophone telltale sign. It's unclear what the backbracket is made of but it's certainly a curiosity. If it was near me I'd take a look and if it was cheap maybe even buy it. Thankfully it isn't so I won't be investigating it further!

Steve wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 5:33 am The soundbox is probably a replica Thorens engraved "His Master's Voice" - a classic Crapophone telltale sign.

The auctioneer's description says that the soundbox is an HMV, therefore Crapophone, but why describe the machine as a Columbia?
I don't see any components of Columbia origin. If it sells it will probably be to an interior decorator, because it has "the look".

This reminds me of machines that are owned by a collector - "Maestro" from Kharkov. Ukraine.
https://grammophon.biz.ua

This does not look like a crapo or frankenphone. The skills to make the marquetry cabinet and horn are way beyond the ability of normal woodworkers or cabinetmakers...

Did they use this type of pressed steel / slanted style turntable on horn machines?

Sidewinder wrote: Mon May 26, 2025 5:08 am Did they use this type of pressed steel / slanted style turntable on horn machines?

I noticed that too. In my opinion, the answer is, "no".

JerryVan wrote: Mon May 26, 2025 9:47 am

Sidewinder wrote: Mon May 26, 2025 5:08 am Did they use this type of pressed steel / slanted style turntable on horn machines?

I noticed that too. In my opinion, the answer is, "no".

The late Columbia ("2A"?) model equipped with piano-reflex tone-arm did use a sloping edged turntable, possibly with Garrard motor. I'm not suggesting for a minute that is where the auctioneer's Columbia reference came from - that would suggest far more delving and research into Columbia's history than any auctioneer would contemplate undertaking!

Yes the Columbia 2a Horn Model did have a sloping rim turntable, unusually of 11 inches diameter.
I regret selling mine, but I know where it still lives......