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Old 25th Nov 2012, 4:03 pm   #1
Audio1950
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK.
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Default HMV and Columbia soundbox identification

It has been suggested that a thread be started on this subject, so here goes.
I've started with some of the most common soundboxes from the two most famous gramophone makers, "His Master's Voice" and Columbia.

The first two pics show the HMV "Exhibition" and the No.4. Next, the side view of the No.4 shows the protruding rubber grommet at the back. This indicates that this is the infamous pot-metal backed version. On the earlier, brass backed version, the grommet lies flush with the surrounding metal. Beware of taking this as failsafe, howerever, as the two types of grommet can be interchanged.

Next comes the HMV 5B, considered by many as one of the best soundboxes ever. The 5A is externally identical, but the diaphram has a slightly different design round the outer edge.
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Last edited by Audio1950; 25th Nov 2012 at 4:15 pm.
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