The Wondergram 'Pocket' Phonograph
Today we're taking a look at a beautiful piece of late 1950's miniaturisation. A record player you could fit in a (big) pocket, The Wondergram.
Updated version now embedded above.
Changes: Added: Tracking force measurement at 12:24
Removed: Mention of Baird. Mention of leaky capacitor.
Reworded: A section about the badge on the front.
Comments (70)
Beware that heat shrink tubing trick. It'll be the diameter of the motor drive shaft that sets the speed I'll bet.
Gorgeous device. Thank you for showcasing it, Mat!
Apropos of nothing, is it just me or are the leads supplied with power bricks getting shorter? Two items I obtained recently have such ridiculously short wires that the things can only be used within about a metre of a power outlet. Is there such a thing as an extension chord for one? Maybe as they are on the lower voltage side, they can be extended using the snap connectors for car electrics. I remember you commenting on a similar issue on one of your videos a while back.
I usually find them too short - in a video I was editing yesterday I had to swap out the power lead from a brick to the wall - I think they included a 1M IEC C14 and I needed at least 2M. If you are talking about extending the part from the brick to the device rather than to the power socket on the wall - well it depends on what socket the device has, but I use one of these on my Nixie clock in the lounge <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barrel-Power-Cord-2-1mm-DC-Power-Socket-2-1mm-DC-Power-Plug-9-8-ft-3-m-Blac/350819441882" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barrel-Power-Cord-2-1mm-DC-Power-Socket-2-1mm-DC-Power-Plug-9-8-ft-3-m-Blac/350819441882</a>
I love the new intro!
Brilliant video, thoroughly enjoyed the teardown and fix for all the little weird issues you experienced. Quite a quirky little device, it's a shame that things with this character don't seem to be made anymore. I've been given a collectors set of vinyl from a TV show but don't actually own a player. I'd love something small like your Sony Flamingo but can't justify the cost they demand when one comes up for sale so was wondering what you'd recommend. I'd like something with a small footprint that I could have on top of my amp (A-S500) without it overhanging or getting in the way when not in use. What'd you recommend for a newbie like me?
I'm not sure of the exact size of that amp - but good affordable small record players are few and far between. New ones are even harder to find - I'm not even sure if there are any out there. Some old ones I can think of are the Sony PS-Q3, Q5 or Q7. Some of the linear Technics turntables can be quite compact - like the Technics SL-5 & SL-7 - They did quite a few though so it's worth looking through their linear models. Linear turntables are often smaller so have a browse through those on ebay. Also you could consider drawer type turntables - Pioneer and Sony made a few, they aren't as easy to find, but you could put one under your amp.
Like your new opening scene. Also, good job on the repair. I did actually burst out laughing, though, when you re-assembled it for the first time and it sounded even worse. :-) I'm glad you got it working, though!
I’m glad you laughed - I really hoped that would be the reaction at that point in the video.
Just a few more words on the wondergram circuit design, since my earlier comment must have been deleted somehow - it's a three transistor design with a open collector single transistor preamp and a push pull output. (using both pnp instead npn and pnp, thus requiring the transformer..) Anyway, the capacitor you didn't replace is used to filter all the high frequency components of the record that the player can't reproduce. Not replacing it doesn't hurt that much - it'll reduce the sound quality but considering the device I doubt you'd be able to hear a difference.
Your earlier comment is still there - the one about the squids.
Missed the original cut but enjoyed this one. I have to say ... the device really sounded bad. Even after you worked on it! :-D Hey, but you know, in '58, you had a truly portable music player that would play *your* music and that was probably pretty cool (and it surely sounded a lot better when it was new). Thanks, as always!
There are just a few snips here and there between this one and the earlier one - no big changes. However yes it doesn't sound good - but also sounds exactly how I'd expect it to sound. This was definitely more novelty than HiFi.
Great video (as always). Love to see capacitor replacement thing (finally). Just a few suggestions: 1. I love the 80's style opening scene. That's terrific! However, I feel strange that the video show on the TV is just "paste" it inside. It's not fit with the theme to me. If you, somehow, make it fade in or show only the glowing wheel before it fully shown, that will be better! 2. I'm not sure about this. But the ending credit music has the "Wow" effect compared to another video. Did you intend to do that?
1) That's the best I could do with the tools I had - it's just a bit of cheap fun for me to play about with these things, I might not use it in the future. 2) I'm not sure what you mean about Wow effect - that's my fault for not being up with all the terms used in music - I think I may have reduced the bass because it had somehow increased over time and people were complaining it was sending their subwoofers across the room.
Have you seen the RokBlok? Its a small motorized block that drives around your vinyl records. I’m skeptical of it but it looks right up your alley. <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/26/the-world-s-smallest-wireless-record-player-is-on-sale-today/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Facebook_Ads" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/26/the-world-s-smallest-wireless-record-player-is-on-sale-today/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Facebook_Ads</a>
Yes I'm very familiar with the Rokblok - I don't think they were very happy with my videos. <a href="https://youtu.be/LPIJVdQkb1Q" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/LPIJVdQkb1Q</a> <a href="https://youtu.be/VYjDXgPDU94" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/VYjDXgPDU94</a>
This was great fun! I like the intro as well
With the new 'Tron' inspired start and Little Spanish Flea, you've ticked all the boxes for me; great educational video Mat 👍
Thanks. When I found that wireframe video I knew I had to use it. Vector graphics fascinate me.
Very nice, Mat... Loved the device, and your repair job. Would you happen to know if the American version (made by Emerson) had the same works inside? P.S.- Dating myself here, but the name gave me a flashback to Benny Hill's "Wondergran" sketch.
I thought about mentioning Wondergran, but decided it was a bit obscure, so I’m glad I wasn’t alone there. I think the UK and US one should be identical as they both run off battery power only. However there may be some slight revisions depending upon the year of manufacture.
A perfect combination of retro tech, a unique device looking almost new on the outside and a successful repair. Great Video :)
Yes I was happy with this one as well. Sometimes I get lucky.
Maybe it would help, if you sand the driveshaft in axial direction to increase the grip. Otherwise: great device and a very nice retro tech video. Thanks!
It's very unlikely I will ever play another record on this machine - however if I did, it really needs new rubber on that drive shaft. Sanding the wheels was a quick temporary fix just for the video.
That was a very nice repair, very skilled, another thumbs up!
The new intro gets an extra thumbs up from me! Well done!
Thanks for replacing the capacitors on something. I've been hoping for an episode that would feature it since the tefifon! thumbs up
Those three legged squids on the circuit board were three transistors, very interesting from a technological viewpoint, because 1958 was only 4 years after the first transistor radio, the Regency TR-1, which had four transistors and made a tiny profit being sold at $55. This record player for $62 only four years later is a sign of the fast innovation in semiconductor research. (the CK722, the first transistor available to the general public, went from $8 to less than $1 from '53-'56.
I'd totally forgotten about that type of Brasso. My Nan used to have it. As soon as it appeared on the screen I had a flashback to the smell.
Yep Brasso and WD40 they should bottle those smells....hold on they do. I can only remember them now, but I do miss them.
Well, I always wanted to add one of these to my collection. Now - perhaps not. I knew it was just going to be a novelty piece, but it really only looks good when buttoned up Looks a bit clumsy in use. Incidentally, if you're interested in doing a Gramdeck video, I could send you a couple. Since they were made in the UK, it seems proper that you'd do a video on one of those atrocities. But the packaging was impressive. Edit: I did a quick look, and I think your Dad may have already done a Gramdeck video. Yorkshire accent (I think), beat up hands and all. Flippin' 'eck!
I've got a Gramdeck or two - something for a future video...although when I don't know. I bought them a few years ago.
This has to be the most beautiful portal phono player I've ever seen. The artdeco design is just magical. Id love to get one and play some records by The Caretaker in an old ballroom.
WOW. The Wondergram looks as if Raymond Loewy might have designed it ... classic moderne / streamline shapes and forms. You've done a fine restoration job on a unique midcentury piece. It is a "pocket" phonograph much the same as Kodak "Vest Pocket" cameras were ... requiring a pocket the size of a fanny pack. Thanks for posting this one, Matt!
It's one of those things that has popped up over and over again when I was looking for other things. I thought I should finally cross it off the list. I was very happy with the visual condition of the one I got, glad you appreciate it too.
Always great seeing you repair them as well. It did help me with the Pocket Rocker.
You don't seem like a chap who needs tips to me - I'm always amazed how you can swap out those surface mount components.
Oh how I miss the days of analogue devices. Not working? Bit of glue here, sand that bit there, ah back to normal. Kids today would have no idea what I'm talking about. They just throw away their smart phone after 3 years when the battery packs it in.
Right after you mention that you couldn't find any link to Baird, you flip the thing over to reveal the word "Baird" moulded into the bakelite shell...
I honestly never noticed that - looks like another re-edit. I really wanted to go outside when it's sunny, but looks like that's off the cards today.
Hmm, that capacitor did not leak anything. It's some kind of glue that was used to hold the screw next to it IMO.
OK I've removed that section now.
Nice! And the intro too!
That was fun. I always enjoy a "fix it" video and, as always, I'd never heard of this device before. It's also nice to see something British being sold in the US, too!
There’s been a bit of a inadvertent theme in recent videos where US companies in the 1960s were rebadging things made elsewhere. The two Sanyo tape recorders in the Mission Impossible videos badged as Craig and this as Emerson. You hear people hark back to a time when things were made in the US. But it seems as far as electronics in the 1960s go - while they might have been using familiar US brands many of these items were already being imported.
I see looking through previous eBay sales of these that a ‘leather’ case with strap was available for this, so no large trouser pockets required.
Yes I saw that too. I guess it was an optional accessory as you don't see as many around as the players themselves. It would be great to have one of those to store it in.
Pocket phonograph* *(special trousers required)
May cause irreparable spine curvature.
Am I the only one getting the dreaded "www.youtube.com refused to connect." when pressing play? Are you re-uploading the video for changes, Mat?
i haven’t touched it for a few days. Youtube was a bit odd for me last night too when I wanted to watch something.
Ooh, fancy new intro! Saved to "Watch later" 😊👍
I’d forgotten this was the one with the different intro. I was just playing about with some old found footage for my own amusement.
Content match, I think that was Herb Alpert. The most popular record at thrift stores.
I know him from Biggie Smalls sampling Rise
You forgot to say what the tracking force was. ..
Perhaps I’ll have to add that in.
Thank you, another great program/video. Well not baird anyway.
Very nice! Love the restoration aspect. I've been watching a lot of restoration Youtube channels recently, they're very satisfying. I recommend checking out the channel called "my mechanics" -- I think it would be right up your alley.
Really excellent video, Mat - a real classic Techmoan! Very impressed at your fault analysis skills, and especially your dismantling/reassembly skills. Quite a clever design; I guess it is just the difference in diameters of the roller wheels that rotates the records at the different speeds? So, no use at all for playing a 12 inch 45rpm or 7” 33 1/3 rpm - there may have been some of the latter around in the late 1950s. A nice bit of engineering work, and also good to hear some Herb Alpert (style) music. Incidentally, he is the A in A&M records, the M being a chap called Moss. Just thought I’d drop that in - I’m a wow at parties ;-). No sign of the Gixie clock yet, they’ve gone very quiet.....
I didn’t know the A&M trivia...although I can name the original United Artists. As far as the Glixie clock goes - I’ll admit I’d forgotten about it. Was it a Kickstarter? I remember ordering one now you mention it. That said I’ve got a few five year old Kickstarters that have yet to arrive.
I'm curious what that capacitor said on it... it was made by "Hunts" and it said "Can Not .... " I'm curious what the rest of it was. Awesome video. I always love strange pieces of technology. I wonder whether it sounded any better back when it was new than it did after you replaced the caps. Except the slipping wheel, the sound was about what I would expect from something that small from that era.
I think the sound quality was pretty much back as new as long as you discarded the wobbilyness which was no doubt a bit worse now (worn motor bearings etc).
What a cool machine, way cooler looking than the Sound Burger
Stunning - I never even saw this first time around.... well done in covering it - another well-observed piece!
About that Baird mistake: I think that some people thought that this player was made by Baird because they misread the word bird.
Well if so, I’m happy to put that right. It’s odd how mistakes can become facts with enough time.
Thanks Mat. What an interesting little record player. I'm glad you got it working and demonstrated it.