The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Make: Decca
Model: Salon – Model 70
Serial #: 14255
Year(s) Made: 1928-29 as near as I can find out
Original Cost: ???
Reproducer/Sound-Box: “Salon Soundbox – Swiss Made” – The stylus bar is attached by two metal plates with spring between them – no bearings. Fibre gaskets.
Motor: Garrard 11B, two-spring
Reproduction Parts: one nob on door, not yet installed; turntable felt (no idea of original color)
Current Value: I paid $200
Favorite Characteristics: Lightweight (easy to move) – wonderful, clear, full sound, quiet motor, smooth winding

Hi Nat:

That's a great looking gramophone. I'm wondering, is the horn wood or metal; a folded design, etc. I've seen a few videos of the larger UK Decca cabinet models, and they sound pretty good.

DS

Thanks - I forgot to enter information about the horn: it appears to be made of some sort of strong fibre, almost metallic in hardness. It's not folded, but it follows what seems to be a "sort of" exponential curve, so it may classify as an attempt at an orthophonic horn, though the total length would be only 3 or 4 feet, counting the taper tube.

It is very loud when playing late-period 78's, even with soft needles; with older electrics it's quite good, and it does not have the cavernous/muddy sound that my Credenza adds to acoustics. I expect the volume is due to the size of the (aluminum?) diaphragm, which must be around 2 ¼".

The sound is startlingly clear and well-rounded.

Eventually it will move to my cabin, where it will fit the decor perfectly, and allow me to play records on something other than my portables or my VV-VI.

Nat

Nice machine, Nat!

Thanks for sharing, I was wondering how it turned out and it looks great.

Sean

Very nice condition, thanks for posting!

Very spiffy! Here's a Salon Decca ad from the October 1928 Gramophone. I love the phrase...." the artists become your personal guests"
Jim

Nice machine, thanks for sharing. Interesting governor design with the springs outside of the weights, I've never seen that before. Also quite an elaborate auto-brake design. Does it work properly?
Funny that the motor says "Salon - Made in England" while the soundbox is also called "Salon" but Swiss made.
Thanks
Andreas

I'm still figuring out all the brake controls, but yes, it does work - though it's tripped by how close the arm is to the center, not by the eccentric rings. This is the one thing I don't much like about it.

Hi Nat:

I was wondering, what are the dimensions of the cabinet? From the photos it looks to be about the size of a VV-4-7 cabinet; judging it's size compared to the chair and portable radiator.

DS

Wow, I left out all sorts of information - too excited to be posting, I guess! But hey! it's my first non-Victor!

Height: 36"
Width: 20"
Depth: 21"

I'm going to take the grill off and have a go at tightening the grill cloth; when I do that, I'll take some shots of the horn & post them.

Nat