EMG Mark Xb Oversize. C.1935

The Mk Xb Oversize had a huge 34” diameter horn. This particular Oversize was originally owned by the eminent George Frow, who has written several books on the Phonograph. It is said that sometime in the 1950’s, Mr Frow had to have the horn ‘circumcised” to get it in through the front door and then yet again, to get it into a room.

The horn was then “repaired”. Today, the repair is obvious but does not detract from its outstanding performance. It was missing its original soundbox, an E.M.G 4-spring. It instead can with three other interesting soundboxes. An Expert 4-spring, a Pathé soundbox and a superb Vicsonia soundbox for playing Edison Diamond Discs.

It was then owned by Gilbert Fury and sold to me through the Fury family.

The main problem with this gramophone is trying to find a room big enough to do it justice. “These vast horns were the last exotic flowers of the acoustic age”.

By 1934 E.M.G’s electrical sales were taking over the acoustic. The end was in sight for these huge monsters, although it is reputed that some were still being made to order until the late 1940’s.

A video of the Xb Oversize