1920s HMV Gramophone, fully working, with a selection of gramophone records and needles

A wonderful HMV Gramophone produced in the 1920s-30s.

Comes with a set of brand new needles and a few gramophone records (shellac 78s) to get your collection started.

This fully portable wind-up (so can be taken anywhere, hence it’s nickname ‘picnic gramophone’) machine, whose parts all clip away into the case for transportation or when not in use.

This differs from the very rarely seen original Gramophones that requires a large bell (almost all you see are reproductions), in that this amplifies the music with just the ‘sound box’ which is the round piece to which the needle is attached at the end of the ‘tone arm’ rather than requiring a large exterior horn to be heard. This version is more compact and so easier to store and transport.

This player has been oiled, cleaned all over and checked for full functionality.

The volume and quality of sound is plenty loud enough and of a very listenable quality but with all the charm and character of the gramophone sound. soft, medium and loud tone needles are available to produce different volumes. A packet of 100 brand new medium tone needles are included. I invariably find these to be the best, neither whisper-soft or piercing loud.

The amazingly impressive fact about these gramophones to those discovering them for the first time is that they work entirely without a power source besides the manual wind up lever which is unfolded from the case and wound to power the spinning turntable.

The sound is transmitted acoustically via the needle, through the ‘soundbox’ angled, as it should be at around 60° which is connected to the tone arm.

In case you are unfamiliar with 78s, these types of record preceded vinyl. They are usually made of shellac and are much thicker, stiffer and more brittle than vinyl records. Most are smaller too at 10 inches, and run at around 78rpm as opposed to 33 or 45 with vinyl. Please note, this will not play vinyl records. They will be destroyed if played with a Gramophone needle!

The needles are made of soft steel and can be purchased online (they should ideally be changed every side of a record due to degrading sound quality). They are quickly and easily changed with a simple thumbscrew. A pack of new needles is included.

The lever to the front right is a brake for the turntable for when the record has finished and when turning the record over or packing away.

The lever to the front left is to adjust speed to fit with your dancing ability… It is 78rpm in the central position and can go a bit slower or faster.

There is a rotating compartment to the right side which folds in and out for keeping spare needles in.

There is also a section under the lid where you can keep a few records. I will place a small mixed selection to start off your collection.

The deck is made of a mahogany.

All the elements detach and/or clip in place so is self-contained and compact when not in use.

The polished case is in good condition and the latch works smoothly. The felt pad to the deck is in very good condition with just one small hole. The mechanics are working well. There are marks and some small tears in the case fabric commensurate with its century of age but overall it looks fantastic and works well.

This His Master’s Voice portable Gramophone is a fantastic looking piece of music history. It is a wonderful period piece to wow your friends and family and a great way to get a party started!

******* Listen to this gramophone in action here!

*******

Measures 41.5cm deep X 29cm wide X 15cm tall.

A wonderful HMV Gramophone produced in the 1920s-30s.

Comes with a set of brand new needles and a few gramophone records (shellac 78s) to get your collection started.

This fully portable wind-up (so can be taken anywhere, hence it’s nickname ‘picnic gramophone’) machine, whose parts all clip away into the case for transportation or when not in use.

This differs from the very rarely seen original Gramophones that requires a large bell (almost all you see are reproductions), in that this amplifies the music with just the ‘sound box’ which is the round piece to which the needle is attached at the end of the ‘tone arm’ rather than requiring a large exterior horn to be heard. This version is more compact and so easier to store and transport.

This player has been oiled, cleaned all over and checked for full functionality.

The volume and quality of sound is plenty loud enough and of a very listenable quality but with all the charm and character of the gramophone sound. soft, medium and loud tone needles are available to produce different volumes. A packet of 100 brand new medium tone needles are included. I invariably find these to be the best, neither whisper-soft or piercing loud.

The amazingly impressive fact about these gramophones to those discovering them for the first time is that they work entirely without a power source besides the manual wind up lever which is unfolded from the case and wound to power the spinning turntable.

The sound is transmitted acoustically via the needle, through the ‘soundbox’ angled, as it should be at around 60° which is connected to the tone arm.

In case you are unfamiliar with 78s, these types of record preceded vinyl. They are usually made of shellac and are much thicker, stiffer and more brittle than vinyl records. Most are smaller too at 10 inches, and run at around 78rpm as opposed to 33 or 45 with vinyl. Please note, this will not play vinyl records. They will be destroyed if played with a Gramophone needle!

The needles are made of soft steel and can be purchased online (they should ideally be changed every side of a record due to degrading sound quality). They are quickly and easily changed with a simple thumbscrew. A pack of new needles is included.

The lever to the front right is a brake for the turntable for when the record has finished and when turning the record over or packing away.

The lever to the front left is to adjust speed to fit with your dancing ability… It is 78rpm in the central position and can go a bit slower or faster.

There is a rotating compartment to the right side which folds in and out for keeping spare needles in.

There is also a section under the lid where you can keep a few records. I will place a small mixed selection to start off your collection.

The deck is made of a mahogany.

All the elements detach and/or clip in place so is self-contained and compact when not in use.

The polished case is in good condition and the latch works smoothly. The felt pad to the deck is in very good condition with just one small hole. The mechanics are working well. There are marks and some small tears in the case fabric commensurate with its century of age but overall it looks fantastic and works well.

This His Master’s Voice portable Gramophone is a fantastic looking piece of music history. It is a wonderful period piece to wow your friends and family and a great way to get a party started!

******* Listen to this gramophone in action here!

*******

Measures 41.5cm deep X 29cm wide X 15cm tall.