Phonoland

Just acquired a new Sonora Phonograph model Fantasie s/n 255 from an estate auction.

It was very dirty, but in mint condition otherwise.

We believe that it has been dormant for over 65 years.
So I'm looking for places preferrably in western New York State to have the motor reconditioned.

Any assisatance is greatly appreciated..... "Thanks"

*** I've reposted better photo's down the page - sorry about the thumbnails - oops!

About the only one I can think of in your area is the Antique Phonograph Supply Co. in Davenport Center, NY -- http://www.antiquephono.com/

In addition to cleaning and reconditioning the motor, they can also restore the sound box (reproducer) with fresh, soft gaskets, and a new mica diaphragm, if needed.

Others repair companies outside of New York include --

Victrola Repair Service -- http://www.victrolarepairservice.com/
Shenandoah Antique Restoration -- http://www.shenandoahrestoration.com/phono.html
Great Lakes Antique Phonograph -- http://www.victroladoctor.com/


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A more affordable option:
If you have any "do it yourself" skills, you might want to get a copy of "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric Reiss, which is available from most well stocked book sellers, including Amazon -- http://www.amazon.com/Compleat-Talking- ... 1886606226

The book is well-illustrated and comprehensive, and walks you through most repairs.

HTH,
Joe

Joe:
Thanks ever so much for your information - I'll defintely check out the sites and weight the options.
I could probably do the ork myself so I'll also check out the book.
Just don't want to mess up something that is almost 100 years old and irreplaceable.

I also misposted info previously ---
that number on the bottom of the door is apparently just the cabinet number,
as once I took the turntable off I found the original Sonora label with - Instrument no. A528899.

Took a peek through the port window into the gear box area and the grease does not appear to be harded at all.
Still nice and silvery and gooey - - - but it still would not hurt to freshen things up I'm sure.
It beats having something break or wear prematurely due to neglect of maintenance.

Tucked way in the back of the cabinet and unnoticed until I started cleaning and polishing was an envelope which contained the Original manual, warranty, record recorder booklet, key, and silver needles.

I'll post more photo's later. . .

a few more photo's of this unit and contents . . .
Label

Mechanics

Sound Box

Neddles

Silver neddles

Key

Record Booklet

Guaranty

The nice thing about this hobby is that parts are normally available for most brands of talking machines unlike most modern audio products which are designed to be thrown out once they break or wear out.

Sonora was a popular off-brand during the teens and into the mid-1920s, and the phonographs are generally well made. If you do decide to clean and service the motor, about the only thing to be careful about would be re-greasing the mainsprings, but you can always remove the spring barrels and ship them to a repair shop, if need be. (This would probably cost about $100, unlike a thorough motor take-down and cleaning, which can run into the hundreds of dollars.) If you want to do the job yourself, I'd strongly advise that you take some detailed photographs of the motor and save them to refer back to.

I'm glad it came with the original owner's manual. That will show you the proper way to position the reproducer to play the different types of records available at the time your phonograph was produced, though most of what you'd come across today would probably be standard "78s," which are normally played with steel needles. The special sapphire ball stylus required to play Pathe' vertical cut records is available today and sold by a few repair shops, though I don't know about the diamond tip stylus for Edison Diamond Disc records.

In any event, keep us posted on your progress.

Joe

Have pretty much completed the outside inspection and
about the only thing that I can see that it could use replaced soon is the white pad (rubber/leather ?) on the brake stop
did a quick search to see if I could find something to no avail
not total certain if I am really calling the pad by the correct name...

and one of the Casters has lost all its bearings -
but then so have I .....

Here's a photo of the typical brake used on Sonora phonographs:




The brake stop, or brake friction pad, which I believe was originally soft rubber, can probably be replaced with an old piece of belt leather, cut to fit, and affixed in place with a tiny drop of strong glue, such as Krazy-Glue. Another option, and gentler on the turntable's rim plating, would be a tiny piece of felt. In this case, you'd probably want to use a couple of layers, sandwiched together with glue, to build up the appropriate thickness.

Joe

Suggestion--since I know nothing ! How about cork ?
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Suggestion--since I know nothing ! How about cork ?
Ron Rich

Hi Ron:

Cork might work, but it may also stop the turntable too abruptly, jarring the gears. Leather (with a drop of oil) or felt would slow the turntable more gradually.

I forgot to mention above that when not in use, it's best to let the springs wind down. This can prevent gear damage caused by the pressure of the springs pushing constantly in one direction. (Victor mentioned this in some of their owners' manuals.)

Joe

Here's a close up of the brake for my Sonora Fantasie -


and here are the other photo's which are now big enough to see clearly . . .
(didn't mean to post those thumbnails)

Gotta love the "Guaranty"--"Put into perfect condition---" Ron Rich

The white rubber tubing on your brake is correct. Sometimes you can slip it off the peg & reverse it so the back becomes the front, but due to age, it usually wont wear well under regular use. I'd check at your local hardware to see if they stock a similar size white rubber tubing. If not, you can use a piece of clear PVC tubing (like used on fish tank pumps). It dont look quite as good as the rubber tubing, but it works & wears well, and it tends to discolour after a few years so eventually it wont look so out of place on the brake.
I've always found once you tell them you only need 3/4" of the tubing, they'll cut off an inch or 2 and give it to you for free.

I managed to get the rubber stop off with some gentle prodding - - -
but it appears that it has already been turned around and used on the reverse side...

Will check the local harware store for some white rubber tubing.
Heck, if they don't have white I might try some clear poly,
unless folks think that would be a problem. . . ?

If anyone is interested here is a photo of the motor off this unit - - -



Not sure why the board won't psot the photo in its entirety ? ? ?

if anyone knows what I did wrong . . . .