The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've heard of this model, but have never, until now, seen one in action.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uAnv4EiVTQ[/youtube]

I'm wondering, does this really use a feed-screw, or does the tonearm simply slide like a telescope?

DS

That's definitely a feedscrew along the bottom of the whole setup, exactly how much it actually does is likely another story. I believe the whole idea was to skirt Victor lawsuits, no?

I've always thought these were neat machines, thanks for sharing the video!

Sean

It sounds better than I'd expect considering the small horn. There must be a fairly considerable slop factor in the tone arm though.

It's almost as nice to hear that set of Sonora Chimes!

This machine's feed screw would of course match the thread pitch of Sonora records, but what about other brands of records? I always assumed there were variations in thread pitch, just as speeds were non-standard for many years.

The just-published December issue of The Antique Phonograph (formerly The Sound Box) has a feature article about this fascinating machine, with link to a more detailed video. Watch your mailbox.

VintageTechnologies wrote:This machine's feed screw would of course match the thread pitch of Sonora records, but what about other brands of records? I always assumed there were variations in thread pitch, just as speeds were non-standard for many years.

That's one of the things I meant when I said "slop factor" - i think there's enough side play in the reproducer mount to account for small variations in the cut