Interesting 1930's pickup spotted at a boot-sale.

[Barry]

Spotted in today’s boot sale: a 1930’s Marconiphone No. 25 pickup. I didn’t buy it, nor did I have my camera with me to photograph it. But being vaguely hi-fi, I thought members might be interested to see the ‘state of the art’ current in the 1930s.


http://www.normanfield.com/pickups.htm

(Scroll down to "Class 2 pickups" and it's listed as number 8.)

Well, we have to say, that this picture is just as much about the box as about the arm! Resplendent in its Art Deco design and ‘chemical red’ colour, the box houses an example of what is probably the most ubiquitous pick-up arm of the mid and later 1930s. By this time, the ‘domestic audio’ side of Marconi was of course part of EMI, which principally included HMV and Columbia. This same arm was fitted to many EMI products.

Each arm, whether HMV, Columbia or Marconi, would have borne that company’s logo on the top of the head. Unfortunately, that little ‘Marconiphone’ plate is missing from this example; but that’s not a problem really, as it will be fairly easy to acquire all these types in the future.

Another thing that is missing is the arm rest. Some of the arms we have dealt with so far were ‘self-supporting’, but the ‘arm rest’ was gradually becoming obligatory. Again, that’s not important right now.

Another sign that we are entering a later period is the frequency response curve printed on the front flap of the box. Frequency response graphs had been around for many years of course, going right back into the acoustic era; but at that time they were intended for the specialist audiophile – or ‘gramophile’ as they were known in those early days. The fact that ‘the man in the street’ might know enough to be impressed by a frequency response curve represents a significant change in the way equipment was being marketed.




20Hz – 5,000Hz (+/- 8dB) for 1.75 volts into 100kOhm! Not bad for the 1930’s. I don’t know the playing weight; probably the dead weight of the ‘head’ (~ 150g ?).

[Marco]

Interesting stuff, Barry, and a great find!

Wonder what such devices would sound like today, like in a sympathetic, mono only set-up, constructed from appropriate vintage partnering equipment and ancillaries? Some Altec 'Voice of the Theatre' speakers would probably be nice...

If he's not gone off in a flounce from the EU debate, I'd expect Andy to be all over this thread like a rash!

Marco.

P.S Mobile phones these days have cameras built in, so as they say: 'Never leave home without one'

[Barry]

Interesting stuff, Barry, and a great find!

Wonder what such devices would sound like today, like in a sympathetic, mono only set-up, constructed from appropriate vintage partnering equipment and ancillaries? Some Altec 'Voice of the Theatre' speakers would probably be nice...

If he's not gone off in a flounce from the EU debate, I'd expect Andy to be all over this thread like a rash!

Marco.


P.S Mobile phones these days have cameras built in, so as they say: 'Never leave home without one'

I immediately thought of Andy when I saw the pickup. The seller was someone who does house clearances. I should have asked how much he wanted for it - would have made a nice "objet d'art".