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I am probably the last person to know but I didn't know that this was called a '3c'. (I think that is what it says and not '30').

I have one of these but the reverse doesn't say 'British Made' in such large letters nor '3c' - I haven't seen these markings before.

Maybe this is a later one ?

Anyway, just in case this is of interest.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236641210982 ... R5rXko-OZw

Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

Steve wrote: Wed Feb 18, 2026 9:13 am Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

Times have changed. Many collectors now recognise that the Meltrope is the best soundbox this side of an EMG. According to the Frank James book, even EMG themselves supplied it as an alternative to their own soundbox on the Mark IV and the Mark VIII.

epigramophone wrote: Wed Feb 18, 2026 9:34 am

Steve wrote: Wed Feb 18, 2026 9:13 am Not at £50!!!

I used to pick up all types of Meltrope soundboxes for under £25. They were never "hot ticket" items. What happened?

Times have changed. Many collectors now recognise that the Meltrope is the best soundbox this side of an EMG. According to the Frank James book, even EMG themselves supplied it as an alternative to their own soundbox on the Mark IV and the Mark VIII.

Agreed. I see them sell for much higher prices than this in good condition. This one seems to have pot metal cracking however.

I haven't heard of a 3c either, but the 3a has a socket into which fits a range of collets (instead of a needle screw) - that variant tends to be much more costly.