'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

RojDW48 · 16th Dec 2016, 7:39 pm

I have been in touch with Barry (audio 1950) about this one and we have established that the Cliftophone tonearm, which interestingly seems to have been supplied as an upgrade, is an addition. But even Barry has never come across the 'Expression' player. Can anyone shed any light?

RojDW48 · 17th Dec 2016, 8:50 pm

I have done a bit more research and rooting about. I found this on Ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Expression...8AAOSwstxVAifK - which seems to indicate that a soundbox, at least, was made by a company called 'Expression' around about 1906 in Switzerland. So I pulled it apart, half expecting to find a Thorens motor but it was the trusty Junior Garrard. Also you can see that the Cliftophone tonearm has been rather inexpertly connected to the horn! Can I use a nice bit of 1,1/2" downpipe to replace this link or should it be metal? When I gave horn a good shake the little item in the last pic fell out. Am I right in assuming that is a dear little record cleaning device?

Audio1950 · 17th Dec 2016, 9:53 pm

Doesn't have to be metal, all sorts of things were used for internal horns, just make sure it's as airtight as possible.

Yes, that's a record cleaner, nice find!

Barry

RojDW48 · 19th Dec 2016, 7:17 pm

Well...full marks to that well known supplier of vintage gramophone parts - B&Q! Thanks for the reassurance, Barry. I needed the flexible 1,1/2" waste because the base of the tonearm and the horn entry didn't align - looking at the original hole layout - they never did, which struck me as odd. The seals at both ends are now really good, resulting in roughly double the volume.

I am surprised that no-one seems to be familiar with this model. Other than the substituted tonearm, the quality of construction is nothing special. I would not have been amazed to discover it was badge engineered for a chain store of some kind.

Audio1950 · 19th Dec 2016, 7:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RojDW48

I would not have been amazed to discover it was badge engineered for a chain store of some kind.

Either that, or alternatively, given away in exchange for coupons from packs of cigarettes. I believe Mayfair and Crescendo portables were both available this way.

Waste pipe, eh? Handels Water Music should sound good! Or that old music-hall tune "Your baby has gone down the plug-'ole"

Barry

RojDW48 · 19th Dec 2016, 7:55 pm

What a sad little song (you really can find anything on youtube!).

The tonearm looks to have been brass-washed to me, rather than plated. I guess that rather limits my ability to restore it cosmetically?

Audio1950 · 19th Dec 2016, 11:50 pm

The coating on these is very thin, so nothing abrasive. Ammonia is good for cleaning gilt, which is basically what this is.

Barry

16th Dec 2016, 7:39 pm	#1
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm I have been in touch with Barry (audio 1950) about this one and we have established that the Cliftophone tonearm, which interestingly seems to have been supplied as an upgrade, is an addition. But even Barry has never come across the 'Expression' player. Can anyone shed any light? Attached Thumbnails __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

17th Dec 2016, 8:50 pm	#2
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: 'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm I have done a bit more research and rooting about. I found this on Ebay - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Expression...8AAOSwstxVAifK - which seems to indicate that a soundbox, at least, was made by a company called 'Expression' around about 1906 in Switzerland. So I pulled it apart, half expecting to find a Thorens motor but it was the trusty Junior Garrard. Also you can see that the Cliftophone tonearm has been rather inexpertly connected to the horn! Can I use a nice bit of 1,1/2" downpipe to replace this link or should it be metal? When I gave horn a good shake the little item in the last pic fell out. Am I right in assuming that is a dear little record cleaning device? Attached Thumbnails __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

17th Dec 2016, 9:53 pm	#3
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: 'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm Doesn't have to be metal, all sorts of things were used for internal horns, just make sure it's as airtight as possible. Yes, that's a record cleaner, nice find! Barry

19th Dec 2016, 7:17 pm	#4
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: 'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm Well...full marks to that well known supplier of vintage gramophone parts - B&Q! Thanks for the reassurance, Barry. I needed the flexible 1,1/2" waste because the base of the tonearm and the horn entry didn't align - looking at the original hole layout - they never did, which struck me as odd. The seals at both ends are now really good, resulting in roughly double the volume. I am surprised that no-one seems to be familiar with this model. Other than the substituted tonearm, the quality of construction is nothing special. I would not have been amazed to discover it was badge engineered for a chain store of some kind. Attached Thumbnails __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

19th Dec 2016, 7:55 pm	#6
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: 'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm What a sad little song (you really can find anything on youtube!). The tonearm looks to have been brass-washed to me, rather than plated. I guess that rather limits my ability to restore it cosmetically? __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

19th Dec 2016, 11:50 pm	#7
Audio1950 Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whittlesey, near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 3,761	Re: 'EXPRESSION' ? picnic gramophone with Cliftophone tonearm The coating on these is very thin, so nothing abrasive. Ammonia is good for cleaning gilt, which is basically what this is. Barry