The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've recently acquired a vintage antique phonograph that I bought at an antique shop for $100 including records. However, there isn't any plates or markings that would identify this machine, only a "Music Master" label on the reproducer. It's in fairly good condition for it's age (I'd guess it's from the 1920s). It winds up and holds its speed for a while (I haven't tried playing anything, as I don't know whether or not the needle is used or not, and I know that you shouldn't use a needle more than once or twice on these old wind-ups). I found a machine on eBay (a Pathé tabletop) with a similar grille pattern, which may help. Also, the reproducer swivels so that it faces either forwards or sideways.
Pictures: Interestingly, there's no bottom to the machine. The Pathé with a similar grille design. Note the location of the tonearm and the angle of the reproducer: Also, does anyone know of a good place to buy needles?

I believe you're correct about it being a Pathé. Their later machines had a tonearm that swiveled to play vertically cut records Pathé records (played with a longlasting sapphire ball stylus) and regular "needle-cut" records. Looks like all it needs is new turntable felt and a good dusting. The lack of bottom is interesting. I wonder how it would affect the tone?

As for new needles. I'd recommend Victrola Repair Service:
http://www.victrolarepairservice.com/

that's really an interesting little off-brand machine, and you got a decent buy at a hundred bucks, but it's definitely not a Pathé. in terms of the maker, if there are no other markings on the case, I'd research the information on the reproducer. is the grill metal?

Yes, the grille's metal. It's sort of a goldish color, although it's a bit tarnished with age. The reproducer says "Music Master....Made by the Champion Graphaphone Co.". A quick Google search revealed this:

"DESIGN.
L MARKELS.
PHONOGRAPH BOX OR CABINET. APPLICATION FILED MAY 18 1915.
.
Patented Nov. 23 1915.
IlNIfl11NiNIINlIhiIfI iI IININNNN II
U NNNIINININ{NNN I I
INVENTOR
Lconard MarrAeZ.s
.BY a ATTORNEYS
THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTOLITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.
LEONARD MARKELS OF NEW YORK N. Y. ASSIGNOR TO CHAMPION GRAPHAPHONE
COMPANY INC. OF NEW YORK N. Y.
DESIGN FOR A PHONOGRAPH BOX OR CABINET.
Specification for Design. Patented Nov. 23 1915.
Application filed May 1S 1915. Serial No. . Term of patent 3t years.
.
4
To all whom it may concern:
Be it known that I LEONARD MARKELS a
citizen of the United States and a resident of the city of New York borough of Manhattan in the county and State of New York have invented a new original and ornamental Design for a Phonograph Box or Cabinet of which the following is a specification reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part thereof.
The figure is a perspective view of a phonograph box illustrating my improved design.
I claim :
The ornamental design for a phonograph box or cabinet as shown.
LEONARD MARKELS. Witnesses :
C. BRADWAY
PHILIP D. ROLLHAUS.
Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each by addressing the 'Commissioner of Patents
Washington D. C.'"

So this machine is a Champion GraphAphone (not a Graphophone), Interestingly, there's no other information about this machine ANYWHERE online. Not even in a listing of 250+ off-brand machines. "Music Master" was a company that made various parts such as reproducers and horns (the horns on Edison "Opera"'s were apparently made by Music Master). Thanks for suggesting that!

-Also, for some reason, I have to quite a bit of winding to get the spring wound up. I doubt this has more than one spring in it, and I don't hear any knocking or slippage. How many turns does it take to wind up a single-spring phono?

Hmm, interesting.

It might have a worm-gear winder, I've had portables with that gearing and you have to crank a lot.

estott wrote:It might have a worm-gear winder, I've had portables with that gearing and you have to crank a lot.

That's interesting. How can I check that?

Also, I made my first repair to it the other day. I heard a banging sound and so I found that a screw on one of the governor's leaf springs had come loose and so it was wacking against the other motor parts. I propped it up and put some papers underneath (like a dog ) and screwed the spring back (luckily, it didn't fall onto the carpet and get lost) with a flathead wrench. Luckily, nothing was stripped and it was able to be screwed back in place .

As for needles, I've been fashioning mine out of bamboo kabob skewers. It works fairly well, albeit rather subdued and noisy. I'd read about bamboo/fiber/cactus needles, and decided to try it out.

If you take the motor out and the crank handle turns a spiral cut gear that's it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worm_drive

Oh, I do see a worm drive. I guess that's to prevent overwinding somehow?

Anyway, I posted a video of it playing a record:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvt1twajN4Y[/youtube]

Pleasant machine, in a very simple way- the moulded sides give it just a little bit of style. It amuses me that Leonard Markels got a patent for his "new and ornamental design" as the drawing shows the plainest of boxes. The patent office was notorious for that- if you didn't outrageously infringe anything (or even if you did) you paid your fee and got a patent.