Decca 55

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



Topic author
Meekumslr
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Decca 55

by Meekumslr » Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:14 am

Firstly, this is a first time Post as a new member, so hello.
The reason I found phonoland is because I am looking for any info on the Decca 55 gramophone.
The frustration is getting to me as there is much about the 33 and 66 but nothing on the internet about my Decca 55.
Has anybody come across these?
Many thanks, Neil.


Joe_DS
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Re: Decca 55

by Joe_DS » Mon Nov 03, 2014 4:57 am

Hi Neil:

It would probably be best to post a few photos of your phonograph. That might help someone ID it, or at least tell when it was made, approximately.

The only "50-series" Decca I've seen was the Decca Model 50. It was an excellent sounding machine from the late 1940s/early 1950s.

Joe


Topic author
Meekumslr
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Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:04 am
Location: London

Re: Decca 55

by Meekumslr » Mon Nov 03, 2014 6:00 pm

Joe,

Thanks for your reply.
Here are some pictures of the gramophone.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Neil.


Joe_DS
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Re: Decca 55

by Joe_DS » Mon Nov 03, 2014 7:04 pm

Wow! That's a beauty! It dates from the late 1920s and is nearly identical to the one described in this post -- viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1765 It should be fitted with the same type of horn described in the patent drawing.

I don't have any information about the model 55, specifically, but I'll check around.

Joe


Topic author
Meekumslr
Junior Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2014 1:04 am
Location: London

Re: Decca 55

by Meekumslr » Mon Nov 03, 2014 7:15 pm

Thanks For your help Joe.
I cannot believe there is no reference at all to this model on the internet.
The one in the post you referred to has the 'Trench' type horn.
The motor on my 55 is Swiss made.
I am currently selling different gramophones but when I came to this one, it just threw me completely.
The two words i'd definately use for it are 'Art Deco'.
After researching and finding nothing, I though it might have been a made up machine but the makers plate definately states the make and model and every item inc locks, corner guards , needle tray etc have patent numbers on them.


Joe_DS
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Joined: Thu Jun 08, 2006 4:23 pm
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Re: Decca 55

by Joe_DS » Mon Nov 03, 2014 8:37 pm

It's all-original from what I can see. In fact, I spotted a 55 at "worthpoint" -- http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/v ... -424740342

This would probably be follow-on model to the one I posted above, where the tonearm is connected to lid. The goal, of course, was to add as much length to the tone chamber as possible to bring out more fidelity from the recently introduced electrically recorded records. From the looks of it, it has the same tone chamber as the 66 described on this page -- http://www.portable-gramophone.com/decca_gramophones.ws I noticed that the position of the 66's crank is different from the 55. Also, the plating differs, which may help explain a different model designation.

Joe

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