Does anyone have information on the Sonora Melodon electric phonographs and pickups used in their 1928 - 1930 products like the A40 and A44 radio/phono combinations?

I have a Sonora A44 which has three settings "Record" "Radio" "Long Playing Record". It could use some TLC. I have had no luck searching for anything on the phonograph unit. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Richard

hi,what do you need to know?
i have the a40 and the a32,there are pics in the radio attic site of both.
phil

:Does anyone have information on the Sonora Melodon electric phonographs and pickups used in their 1928 - 1930 products like the A40 and A44 radio/phono combinations?
:
:I have a Sonora A44 which has three settings "Record" "Radio" "Long Playing Record". It could use some TLC. I have had no luck searching for anything on the phonograph unit. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
:
:Richard
:

Phil,

I am pretty ignorant when it comes to phonographs.

And the title sould be "Sonora Melodon" turntable and pickup.

There is a switch on the phonograph side that has three positions: "Record", "Radio", "Long Play Record". Other than switching between the radio and the phonograph, what is the effect of "Record" verses "Long Play Record"? Does this effect the motor speed? From the schematic I don't see how it could.

Is there an easy way to test the pickup?

Do you use the type 50 output tube or did you try one of the substitutions such as Bill Turner's 6L6GB/GC adapter? Mine has two good bulb style type 50's in it. Thinking about trying a substitution at least while restoring the radio and amplifier chassis.

I am sure I will have more questions as I work on this set. I just try to get as much information as I can before digging in.

Also does yours have the lamp in series with the power transformer? I notice it can be switched in and out according to the schematic. I haven't followed my wires enough yet to see how well the schematic matches the radio.

Thanks,

Richard

hi richard,from one ignoramous to another,me far removed from export,i will do my best to answer your questions.
the pickup is just a coil,mine ohmed out fine,i had to replace all the cradle bushings for it to work,they get hard and don't allow the needle to "move". i used silicon rubber bands to replace them.
there is a sticky at philcoradio.com by syl that explains how to rebuild it.
any chance "record" means record as in load your own voice onto a record?

:Phil,
:
:I am pretty ignorant when it comes to phonographs.
:
:And the title sould be "Sonora Melodon" turntable and pickup.
:
:There is a switch on the phonograph side that has three positions: "Record", "Radio", "Long Play Record". Other than switching between the radio and the phonograph, what is the effect of "Record" verses "Long Play Record"? Does this effect the motor speed? From the schematic I don't see how it could.
:
:Is there an easy way to test the pickup?
:
:Do you use the type 50 output tube or did you try one of the substitutions such as Bill Turner's 6L6GB/GC adapter? Mine has two good bulb style type 50's in it. Thinking about trying a substitution at least while restoring the radio and amplifier chassis.
:
:I am sure I will have more questions as I work on this set. I just try to get as much information as I can before digging in.
:
:Also does yours have the lamp in series with the power transformer? I notice it can be switched in and out according to the schematic. I haven't followed my wires enough yet to see how well the schematic matches the radio.
:
:Thanks,
:
:Richard
:

hi,i forgot about the outputs;the a40 uses 45's ,i forget what the a32 uses.
the a32 used 15 volt carbon filament tubes which are crazy expensive and near impossible to find so i rebased 12j5's for most of the tubes and used resistors to drop the filament volt.
maybe you can rebase some other tube instead of buying 50's?
they don't give those away either.
phil

:Phil,
:
:I am pretty ignorant when it comes to phonographs.
:
:And the title sould be "Sonora Melodon" turntable and pickup.
:
:There is a switch on the phonograph side that has three positions: "Record", "Radio", "Long Play Record". Other than switching between the radio and the phonograph, what is the effect of "Record" verses "Long Play Record"? Does this effect the motor speed? From the schematic I don't see how it could.
:
:Is there an easy way to test the pickup?
:
:Do you use the type 50 output tube or did you try one of the substitutions such as Bill Turner's 6L6GB/GC adapter? Mine has two good bulb style type 50's in it. Thinking about trying a substitution at least while restoring the radio and amplifier chassis.
:
:I am sure I will have more questions as I work on this set. I just try to get as much information as I can before digging in.
:
:Also does yours have the lamp in series with the power transformer? I notice it can be switched in and out according to the schematic. I haven't followed my wires enough yet to see how well the schematic matches the radio.
:
:Thanks,
:
:Richard
: