Ok, that pic looks to be original, with the mahogany woodgrain and the
fibre/cone tonearm.
My question, is still this: look at John's pic and the tonearm is mounted in a
different location and also "appears to be original". As I said before, where
in the world would you find a tonearm, motor and crank that would fit exactly
in this machine? Not to say it couldn't be done, but it begs the question - why
would anyone go to the trouble to alter a cheap machine in the first place and
do such a good job that it would be hard to discern???
Tonearms and reproducers made specifically for different machines are almost
impossible to move from one machine to another brand and fit exactly. I still
wonder if this is yet another variation of woodgraining (not an unusual concept
considering that people like different finishes) and the use of other available
parts from the factory. If you look at the pic of the auction machine at the
link Bruce sent, you can see what appears to be a speed regulator fitted in a
hole where the tonearm on John's machine is mounted... maybe the company
decided to use the existing hole for a later changeover to a metal tonearm, as
the "fibre arm" looks delicate. The whole history of phonograph collecting is
filled with odd and unbelievable factory variations from respected
manufacturers - why not this cheap little machine?
What do I know??? I am not an expert, just a collector/restorer.
> Date: Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:14:59 +0000
> From: [email protected]
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Is this a children's phonograph??
>
> Thanks. I just found one that looks completely original. If you pull up a
> close up of the Center Photo you will get a good look at that so-called
> Violin Fibre Tone Arm/Horn should look like. Note the dark Mahogany Color of
> the metal cabinet.
>
> http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/6056299
>
> Bruce
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Vinyl Visions" <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
> Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 7:47:39 PM
> Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Is this a children's phonograph??
>
>
> I am positive that Bruce is right... I was just wondering about possible
> variations.
>
> > Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:53:58 +0000
> > From: [email protected]
> > To: [email protected]
> > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Is this a children's phonograph??
> >
> > This machine as I said is all wrong. The one that appeared on ebay a couple
> > of years ago was correct. It had the fiber tone and the correct reproducer,
> > it was correct color but it was missing the Motor. This is definitely a
> > CAROLA but it has definitely been altered from its original state. If you
> > can live with that drastic alteration of the original then by all means
> > shell out some dough, its whatever makes you happy.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Vinyl Visions" <[email protected]>
> > To: [email protected]
> > Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 11:40:30 AM
> > Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Is this a children's phonograph??
> >
> >
> > Hi John,Even though my 2 cents is only worth 2 cents, I have a couple of
> > questions: does the paint look re-done? Does it crank and play a record all
> > the way through? Does the needle hit the center of the turntable spindle,
> > as it would be very difficult to find another tonearm/reproducer that would
> > be exactly the right length to fit this cabinet, if it has been altered
> > from original. Why would anyone go to the difficulty of altering a cheap
> > machine in the first place? A portable would have probably been more
> > expensive in the past than this machine and these parts don't really look
> > like a portable - look at other CrapoPhones for a comparison. Are there
> > extra holes in the cabinet? These things were made in a time when
> > variations were common, so the fibre arm may or may not have worked as
> > planned or been too expensive, etc. and may have been factory altered with
> > a metal tonearm... who knows? The graining looks good, but if it is
> > actually supposed to be dark mahogany woodgrain
in
>
> g,
> >
> > it looks wrong - again variations may have been made, which may still be
> > original. Carola and other small machine makers did odd things sometimes
> > and I am not sure that the product control was as good as other
> > manufacturers. The crank does not appear to stick out too far, and fits the
> > original hole/escutcheon from what I can observe... don't totally write it
> > off without doing more research. I would email Tim Fabrizio, and ask if he
> > has ever seen this machine, as oddballs turn up everyday. If anyone can
> > give you an expert opinion on this, I believe that he can. If you believe
> > that it might be worthwhile, give the seller a copy of these posts and see
> > if he will come down on the price... $100?Curt
> >
> > > Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:48:17 -0700
> > > From: [email protected]
> > > To: [email protected]
> > > Subject: [Phono-L] Is this a children's phonograph??
> > >
> > > Hello all
> > > There is a phonograph I am considering buying for resale, ostensibly a
> > > children's phonograph that looks liks a small victrola. It is made of
> > > woodgrained metal and is nice looking. Can anyone give me an idea of
> > > value? I know some small phonographs weren't actually children's
> > > phonographs, and I am interested in the history of this one. Pics can be
> > > seen here:
> > > http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/john9ten/Mini%20Victrola/
> > > Thanks!
> > > John Robles
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Phono-L mailing list
> > > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
> >
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