New to me: Sonora Elite in Circassian Walnut

[phono-phan]

I contacted someone on a Facebook post that was selling an empty Sonora Elite case in Circassian Walnut.  It was about 2 1/2 hours away and thought I would go after it only after a confirming phone call about it.  I was about a half hour into the trip and got a message showing they found the motor board with the tone arm, crank, turntable, etc...   I then got a call from the seller and now they want more for it all.  Still a bargain.  When I got there, I noticed some veneer damage to the top but the rest was just very dirty.  I paid her and loaded it all up.  The case cleaned up very well.  I left the damaged portion of the top as is for now until I can come up with a way to fix it.  I showed pictures to another collector and his is only a few serial numbers away and also in Circassian Walnut.  There is a pencil marking on the bottom of the motor board saying the "Output Springs Replaced 1-19-21.  I have to assume that it was 2021?   The motor runs very smooth and quiet.

[phonogfp]

You're swimming in Circassian!

 

George P.

[melvind]

It beautiful!!!

[Tinfoilphono]

I rather doubt the spring replacement was 5 years ago, given that it had been gutted. I suspect the original owner had the springs replaced just a few years after buying it. I can't imagine why, but I really can't imagine a modern owner repairing it only to pull the motor out and put it in storage.

[phono-phan]

I found out that the motor board was removed when the phonograph got moved just a few months ago.  They thought the motor board got tossed out.  The parent passed away recently and there was a lot of arguing with the kids about what to do with all the stuff.  They said that one of the sons brought in a dumpster and just started tossing stuff in it.  The phonograph was moved before it also might have been tossed in the dumpster.   If you saw the building that it was in, it was a MESS!!!!!  Thanks to the one son that kept it from being thrown away.  I have to wonder if the springs were replaced in 2021.  If it was 1921 then they broke just a few years after new.  The motor runs very smooth and strong.