Can Anyone Give Me Info On A Sonatone?

Q&A about Talking Machines from the pre-electronic era (approx. 1885-1928).



Topic author
kenrsphoenix
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:39 am

Can Anyone Give Me Info On A Sonatone?

by kenrsphoenix » Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:42 am

I found an old console size Sonatone in working condition by Sonata Manufacturing of Chicago. Can anyone give me an age, etc on this unit?


shedradios
Senior Member
Posts: 126
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2006 8:51 am

by shedradios » Mon Jun 11, 2007 2:51 am

I don't believe any older than 1960...but how about a model number. Might come up with something.

User avatar

Record-changer
Senior Member
Posts: 1139
Joined: Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:11 pm
Location: Bloomington IN USA

by Record-changer » Mon Jun 11, 2007 7:45 pm

Don't confuse Sonatone with Sonotone.
http://midimagic.sgc-hosting.com

Daylight-stupid time uses more gasoline.


Topic author
kenrsphoenix
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:39 am

by kenrsphoenix » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:04 pm

Thanks for a response. I have to guess this is older then 1960. I can't find a model # any where. Marked'" Sonata Manufacturing" Chicago. Large free standing four legged model. Wood, possibly mahogany. Crank on right side with slide volume control. Front doors open on front to project sound. Any help?


Joe_DS
Forum Moderator
Posts: 1056
Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:23 pm
Location: San Francisco, California, USA

by Joe_DS » Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:57 am

This is probably one of the hundreds of off-brand victrola clones that were produced in the late teens to about the mid-1920s. This article pretty much explains what the situation was -- http://www.gracyk.com/makers.shtml

While your exact brand does not appear in the list, which follows the main article, there's one that comes close --

215. Sona-Tone -- Sona-Tone Phonograph Inc., 110 West 40th Street, New York City. July 1919.

Keep in mind, many of these off-brand machines only lasted a single production run, or were manufactured for a few years, at best. Sometimes, the same model, or models fitted with identical components, appeared under different brand names.

Wish I could be of more help.

Joe_DS


Topic author
kenrsphoenix
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2007 3:39 am

by kenrsphoenix » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:24 pm

Thanks a bunch.
I think I understand. I bought the unit for less than $100 and I'm in the middle of refinishing it. Wife liked it mostly for the looks of it. I guess the bonus is that it plays too!
Thanks again for your help ![/img]

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests

It is currently Thu Oct 06, 2016 12:32 pm