Post by roaring20s on Apr 11, 2009 23:23:08 GMT -6
PhonoFocus - Thorenz Excelda Cameraphone
MAKER: Thorenz
MODEL: Excelda No. 55
SERIAL #: none
YEARS: 1926 -1947 (needs confirmation)
ORIGINAL COST: not known
CASE SIZE: 4.75"w x 11"d x 2.5"h (5"h assembled)
TURNTABLE SIZE: a full 2.375"
SOUND BOX: metal body with an aluminum diaphragm
MOTOR: marked on the bottom, it is a No.3
HORN DIMENSIONS: appox. 2.5" x 3" inch opening
REPO PARTS: the leather strap
CURRENT VALUE MINT: in the $300 to $400 range
(Not necessarily this machine)
INTERESTING FACTS:
Loud enough for the outdoor use and strong enough for a 12" disc.
FAVORITE CHARACTERISTIC:
Its compact design is amazing. The crackle paint just adds to the attraction.
Here is a new descriptive report for the focus. I'll call it the...
ACHILLES' HEEL:
There is one item that may have been a wonder when this was made, but is its
weakness today. It's the gear attached to the turntable shaft (the one powered
by the governor worm gear) is made of a composite material. It is very hard
and durable. If it cracks your only hope is to glue it back in place. There are no
replacements that I have found. More than likely there will be a slight waver in
the sound caused by the minute change in tooth gap. This is probably why many
of these are sold as "untested" and "as is".
GramophoneShane provide this as a potential fiber gear replacemnet source in Australia.
www.ottoinstruments.com.au/
Does anyone know of sources in the states?
If you are an audiophile, this will not produce sound quality. The chassis is made
entirely of metal, the later sound boxes have aluminum diaphragms and the volume
is loud. But do not let that stop you from getting one of these. Keep in mind that
this is a collectible novelty, a miniaturized phonograph. It is more than a toy and
less than a fine instrument and not an everyday player. They are very cool
examples of technology. They are amazing and look great on a shelf.
Web Research on the Thorenz Excelda
This past year I have delved into the web and kept tabs on eBay to see what
varieties can be found.
The British Library is a good jumping off point.
They have great visuals and it is the same as mine.
www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/themes/recordplayers/thorensaccess.html
Note that the nut is incorrect. The one pictured looks to be the nut for the Belgian
Colibri Cameraphone. I tested this with one I have and the thread is the same.
A small knurled nut with the words Made in Switzerland should be on it.
The Excelda shown here is the second style. I have not found a source for when this
style was introduced. So the 1932 date shown is misleading as the start date.
Internet sources place the Thorens Excelda as being produced between 1926 and
as late as 1947. The starting date gets a boost from an eBay sale of Gramophone
and Talking Machine News. It was reported to have advertisements for the Excelda
Cameraphone in the 1927 June and July issues. That lends credence to the earlier
date. If anyone has an example of this please post it. Also post any later ads toward
that end date. Actually, just post an ad if you can find one. I read that a retailer like
Abercrombie and Fitch sold them with camping and hunting supplies.
There are two distinct versions of this portable phonograph and several reproducer
types. The first style may have only been offered in black, having a standard mica
reproducer and no speed indicator. The later added style added a speed indicator
and moved away from the Mica type reproducer. The chassis now came in several
colors.
Here are the two styles.
www.collection-frioud.ch/view.php?IdO=119&P=605&IdG=18&lang=en
Note the carry case. I have seen several these, with one snap, and two snaps on
the flap. All similar in canvas.
This is the first style, likely as it came out in 1926-27
www.burgimeilen.ch/klein/excelda.html
Note that the speaker box looks like wood with the the crank clip attached to it.
I bet this has better sound quality than the second style with its metal sound box
and speaker box.
Here is a close-up of the speaker and this one does not have the crank clip.
The hole has a notch for the pin on the sound box throat.
It was available in many colors...
www.radiophonomania.ch/pexcelda.htm
Note is black unit has the speed indicator, yet the crank clip is still attached to the
speaker box and that speaker box still looks like that of the first style. So we have
a transition occurring. This may explain the earlier sound box on it.
These are the instructions for it.
www.keithwright.ca/Thorens/Thorens%20Excelda%20instructions.pdf
Note that it is the second style with the speed indicator.
Look at the pictured style of reproducer too. The #17 sound box.
Also they are suggesting using two discs for stability.
Who is Rexon Inc. General Distributors?
As for the sound boxes themselves, the Concert (marked Excelda with Anchor logo),
#16 (marked Thorenz #16), #17 (marked Thorenz #17), Generic like mine (very
common and just marked Switzerland), and one marked Excelda have been seen on
these machines. I have only seen the #16 and metal branded one once each. The
other 3 are seen most commonly and there are likely other others that will fit.
Here are the Concert, #16, and the metal branded Excelda...
The older strap has the name in quote marks and the later one ballooned to the
strap's shape.
Here you will find one from the Russia military cameraphone.
Made by Thorens? It sure looks like one.
You will need to copy and paste this entire address into the browser window.
translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.starinism.ru/museum/pathephone.htm&ei=ZybgScBoo-q1A4-x7K4J&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=44&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DThorens%2Bexcelda%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D50%26num%3D50
To add complexity is to bring up distribution. The Excelda has a tag on the front
cover. Here are several tags that I have archived. There is also one for
Abercrombie and Fitch and or course the Thorenz brand.
I read that Thorenz (the founder's last name) had its factory in Sainte-Croix
Switzerland and a cottage industry of locals grew around it. They produced Music
Boxes, Cylinder and Disc Phonographs, as well as Lighters, Harmonicas and spring
powered Shavers to name a few.
If you like this and other small players, then review this CAPS article...<br>
www.capsnews.org/apn2007-6.htm
Feel free to add to or correct any of this information.
James.
MAKER: Thorenz
MODEL: Excelda No. 55
SERIAL #: none
YEARS: 1926 -1947 (needs confirmation)
ORIGINAL COST: not known
CASE SIZE: 4.75"w x 11"d x 2.5"h (5"h assembled)
TURNTABLE SIZE: a full 2.375"
SOUND BOX: metal body with an aluminum diaphragm
MOTOR: marked on the bottom, it is a No.3
HORN DIMENSIONS: appox. 2.5" x 3" inch opening
REPO PARTS: the leather strap
CURRENT VALUE MINT: in the $300 to $400 range
(Not necessarily this machine)
INTERESTING FACTS:
Loud enough for the outdoor use and strong enough for a 12" disc.
FAVORITE CHARACTERISTIC:
Its compact design is amazing. The crackle paint just adds to the attraction.
Here is a new descriptive report for the focus. I'll call it the...
ACHILLES' HEEL:
There is one item that may have been a wonder when this was made, but is its
weakness today. It's the gear attached to the turntable shaft (the one powered
by the governor worm gear) is made of a composite material. It is very hard
and durable. If it cracks your only hope is to glue it back in place. There are no
replacements that I have found. More than likely there will be a slight waver in
the sound caused by the minute change in tooth gap. This is probably why many
of these are sold as "untested" and "as is".
GramophoneShane provide this as a potential fiber gear replacemnet source in Australia.
www.ottoinstruments.com.au/
Does anyone know of sources in the states?
If you are an audiophile, this will not produce sound quality. The chassis is made
entirely of metal, the later sound boxes have aluminum diaphragms and the volume
is loud. But do not let that stop you from getting one of these. Keep in mind that
this is a collectible novelty, a miniaturized phonograph. It is more than a toy and
less than a fine instrument and not an everyday player. They are very cool
examples of technology. They are amazing and look great on a shelf.
Web Research on the Thorenz Excelda
This past year I have delved into the web and kept tabs on eBay to see what
varieties can be found.
The British Library is a good jumping off point.
They have great visuals and it is the same as mine.
www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/themes/recordplayers/thorensaccess.html
Note that the nut is incorrect. The one pictured looks to be the nut for the Belgian
Colibri Cameraphone. I tested this with one I have and the thread is the same.
A small knurled nut with the words Made in Switzerland should be on it.
The Excelda shown here is the second style. I have not found a source for when this
style was introduced. So the 1932 date shown is misleading as the start date.
Internet sources place the Thorens Excelda as being produced between 1926 and
as late as 1947. The starting date gets a boost from an eBay sale of Gramophone
and Talking Machine News. It was reported to have advertisements for the Excelda
Cameraphone in the 1927 June and July issues. That lends credence to the earlier
date. If anyone has an example of this please post it. Also post any later ads toward
that end date. Actually, just post an ad if you can find one. I read that a retailer like
Abercrombie and Fitch sold them with camping and hunting supplies.
There are two distinct versions of this portable phonograph and several reproducer
types. The first style may have only been offered in black, having a standard mica
reproducer and no speed indicator. The later added style added a speed indicator
and moved away from the Mica type reproducer. The chassis now came in several
colors.
Here are the two styles.
www.collection-frioud.ch/view.php?IdO=119&P=605&IdG=18&lang=en
Note the carry case. I have seen several these, with one snap, and two snaps on
the flap. All similar in canvas.
This is the first style, likely as it came out in 1926-27
www.burgimeilen.ch/klein/excelda.html
Note that the speaker box looks like wood with the the crank clip attached to it.
I bet this has better sound quality than the second style with its metal sound box
and speaker box.
Here is a close-up of the speaker and this one does not have the crank clip.
The hole has a notch for the pin on the sound box throat.
It was available in many colors...
www.radiophonomania.ch/pexcelda.htm
Note is black unit has the speed indicator, yet the crank clip is still attached to the
speaker box and that speaker box still looks like that of the first style. So we have
a transition occurring. This may explain the earlier sound box on it.
These are the instructions for it.
www.keithwright.ca/Thorens/Thorens%20Excelda%20instructions.pdf
Note that it is the second style with the speed indicator.
Look at the pictured style of reproducer too. The #17 sound box.
Also they are suggesting using two discs for stability.
Who is Rexon Inc. General Distributors?
As for the sound boxes themselves, the Concert (marked Excelda with Anchor logo),
#16 (marked Thorenz #16), #17 (marked Thorenz #17), Generic like mine (very
common and just marked Switzerland), and one marked Excelda have been seen on
these machines. I have only seen the #16 and metal branded one once each. The
other 3 are seen most commonly and there are likely other others that will fit.
Here are the Concert, #16, and the metal branded Excelda...
The older strap has the name in quote marks and the later one ballooned to the
strap's shape.
Here you will find one from the Russia military cameraphone.
Made by Thorens? It sure looks like one.
You will need to copy and paste this entire address into the browser window.
translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ru&u=http://www.starinism.ru/museum/pathephone.htm&ei=ZybgScBoo-q1A4-x7K4J&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=44&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DThorens%2Bexcelda%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D50%26num%3D50
To add complexity is to bring up distribution. The Excelda has a tag on the front
cover. Here are several tags that I have archived. There is also one for
Abercrombie and Fitch and or course the Thorenz brand.
I read that Thorenz (the founder's last name) had its factory in Sainte-Croix
Switzerland and a cottage industry of locals grew around it. They produced Music
Boxes, Cylinder and Disc Phonographs, as well as Lighters, Harmonicas and spring
powered Shavers to name a few.
If you like this and other small players, then review this CAPS article...<br>
www.capsnews.org/apn2007-6.htm
Feel free to add to or correct any of this information.
James.