The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My friend has a phono he purchased some time ago and was never sure what
the maker is. There are no markings under the lid or anywhere else. The motor
is a "motor of quality" and appears to be original to the machine. The tonearm
is Sonora but obviously does not belong to the cabinet. Thanks for any info.

The cross-section of that horn looks familiar...

Edit: I thought I had seen a thread on a similar machine here: the horn was supposed to be patterned after a violin body.

I'm sure someone remembers the name of the make...
-Bill

The cross section of the horn is similar to, but not exactly like, a Cheney. The cabinet looks to be fairly low quality. I wonder if it's a small phonograph company trying to come as close as legally possible to other companies' patented designs?

I thought it may be a Cheney too but the motor looks different than the one I had
in my Cheney console. Cheney made their own motors correct?

Clearly a Victrola clone in certain aspects: lid support, speed control, brake lever. General cabinet shape strongly suggests X and XI styling. But that horn shape is unique! I'd like to hear the sound. Is it the photograph lighting, or has the cabinet been partly refinished (compare lid, inside and out, and corners with doors, for example)? There must have been a decal inside the lid, removed when refinished; pure conjecture, though. Note the "modern" addition of the magnetic door catches on the LH door!

Looks like a Sonora tone arm & reproducer.

Henry wrote:Clearly a Victrola clone in certain aspects: lid support, speed control, brake lever. General cabinet shape strongly suggests X and XI styling. But that horn shape is unique! I'd like to hear the sound. Is it the photograph lighting, or has the cabinet been partly refinished (compare lid, inside and out, and corners with doors, for example)? There must have been a decal inside the lid, removed when refinished; pure conjecture, though. Note the "modern" addition of the magnetic door catches on the LH door!

Yeah, I would guess the decal was removed by refinishing. The cabinet appears to have a walnut lid
and trim but mahogany panels on the sides and front. The tonearm is Sonora but does not belong there.

I looked at the Harponola mentioned in another thread and it looks like a dead ringer for the mystery machine. I think the mystery is solved.

Glad that I was obliviously able to help out! John

John Svensson wrote:Glad that I was obliviously able to help out! John

You were a huge help, thanks John!