ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
amrcg
Victor I
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:42 pm

ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by amrcg »

Dear all,

I was offered to buy a an ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761 gramophone. Does anyone know the approximate construction date for this talking machine? How much would it be worth in the market if properly restored?
Thank you very much in advance.

Regards,
António Grilo

amrcg
Victor I
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:42 pm

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by amrcg »

Here are some pictures:
1304870374_166938130_1-Pictures-of--Gramophone-de-Armario.jpg
1304870374_166938130_1-Pictures-of--Gramophone-de-Armario.jpg (39.06 KiB) Viewed 2280 times
1304870374_166938130_2-Gramophone-de-Armario-Vila-Flor.jpg
1304870374_166938130_2-Gramophone-de-Armario-Vila-Flor.jpg (37.53 KiB) Viewed 2280 times
1304870374_166938130_3-Gramophone-de-Armario-Art-Collectibles.jpg
1304870374_166938130_3-Gramophone-de-Armario-Art-Collectibles.jpg (39.23 KiB) Viewed 2280 times
1304870374_166938130_4-Gramophone-de-Armario-For-Sale.jpg
1304870374_166938130_4-Gramophone-de-Armario-For-Sale.jpg (41.96 KiB) Viewed 2280 times
1304870374_166938130_5-Gramophone-de-Armario-Braganca.jpg
1304870374_166938130_5-Gramophone-de-Armario-Braganca.jpg (33.43 KiB) Viewed 2280 times
1304870374_166938130_6-Gramophone-de-Armario-Portugal.jpg
1304870374_166938130_6-Gramophone-de-Armario-Portugal.jpg (40.26 KiB) Viewed 2280 times

amrcg
Victor I
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:42 pm

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by amrcg »

Close-up of the arm:
DSC_0154.JPG
DSC_0153.JPG

estott
Victor Monarch
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Personal Text: I have good days...this might not be one of them
Location: Albany NY

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by estott »

I'd say it was built anywhere from 1925 to 1930, I'm not experienced with German or European machines but the swan neck style tone arm became popular in the mid 20's. It doesn't appear to be in bad shape. I don't know what the prices are like where you are but I wouldn't want to pay very much- it's a pretty machine but from a mechanical aspect it's very basic and simple.

amrcg
Victor I
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:42 pm

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by amrcg »

Thanks for the help. I was given two pictures of the mechanism.
DSC_0161.JPG
DSC_0160.JPG
They ask 490 euros for it.

estott
Victor Monarch
Posts: 4175
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:23 pm
Personal Text: I have good days...this might not be one of them
Location: Albany NY

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by estott »

amrcg wrote:Thanks for the help. I was given two pictures of the mechanism.
DSC_0161.JPG
DSC_0160.JPG
They ask 490 euros for it.

That converts to over 600 dollars, which I would say is far too much. I could not see this machine being worth more than 200 dollars. It appears that there is some damage to the door.


It appears that the company which built the motor is still in business: http://investing.businessweek.com/resea ... d=23273122

David Spanovich
Victor II
Posts: 248
Joined: Sat Nov 12, 2011 12:13 pm

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by David Spanovich »

It almost has a homemade look to it, but that probably has to do with the fact that it looks to have been stripped and some type of oil (Tung/Danish) finish applied in place of the original stained lacquer top coat.

Interestingly, while the tonearm and sound box are typical of the Swiss made components installed into these off brand, third rate Euro-gramophones, the horn is very close to the type used in the smaller (US made) Brunswick acoustic Panatrope models. If the sound box is in good condition, and all of the connections sealed with grease, etc., it should perform fairly well.

I also agree, it's NOT worth the asking price, which would be more in line for a smaller to medium size HMV model of the period--circa late 1920s/early 1930s--in very good condition.

DS

syncopeter
Victor II
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Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by syncopeter »

490 euro is way too much. For that amount you can get a quite decent HMV model 157 in mahogany, which should sound way better. This one isn't worth more than 150 to 200 euro. Yes, it looks nice but no, don't expect it to sound any better than a cheap off brand portable. Because of the simple and short horn there will be no bass whatsoever. Even the humble HMV model 101 portable will quite probably have a superior sound compared to this machine. A table model 130 or even better a 157 floor standing model will blow it away for less money.
HMV kept making acoustic gramophones long after (RCA)Victor, because many places in the British country weren't electrified until the late 1930s. They made their portable model 102 until 1958 when 78s were phased out. But they also produced a variant of their model 157 with a horn that was turned 90 degrees until the start of WW2. A friend of mine has such a late floor standing model and it sounds superb. Maybe even better than the smallest of re-entrant model 163. Bass reproduction is the same, but mid range and treble are better, because of the less complicated horn. And very pleasing to the eye, for it has a marvelous Art Deco design.

amrcg
Victor I
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:42 pm

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by amrcg »

syncopeter wrote:But they also produced a variant of their model 157 with a horn that was turned 90 degrees until the start of WW2. A friend of mine has such a late floor standing model and it sounds superb. Maybe even better than the smallest of re-entrant model 163. Bass reproduction is the same, but mid range and treble are better, because of the less complicated horn. And very pleasing to the eye, for it has a marvelous Art Deco design.
Thanks for the tip!
Where can I find one such 157 model? Does it have a cabinet to store the discs. The reason I am looking for a cabinet gramophone is because I have a lot of 78rpms in a 27cm height pile on the floor (I a period cabinet - no gramophone - which is already full) and I would like to store them properly... I was thinking about buying another cabinet, but then got tempted to buy it with a gramophone where I could play them.
Another problem is that I reside in Portugal. Shipping costs will surely be high - in fact most eBay sellers expect the buyer to pick the gramophone up at their place.

By the way, which book do you recommend for a beginner? I'd like to learn about the models for each main manufacturer, as well as mechanical details.

Regards,
António Grilo

amrcg
Victor I
Posts: 116
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:42 pm

Re: ELECTA TENAX O.R.P. 321761

Post by amrcg »

Anyway, here goes the ELECTA working:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVx5pf5uHns

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