Shaky the HMV 103 gramophone was acquired in 2014, listed on Ebay as "not in working order" there was no-way the battered and worn looking machine would work?
Two speed governor weights were missing, the needle screw was gone and the diaphragm in the soundbox had torn, among a few other missing parts, the gramophone didn't look too great, a long project, so I thought...
Then whilst inspecting the old dirty motor he sprang to life, the motor began to shake and whir, the pin that holds the turntable began to turn. There was nothing to lose, a record was placed on the turntable, the needle and damaged soundbox were balanced on the spinning 78, and then... quietly... faintly... majestically The Dam Busters March...Brilliant!
Shaky wanted to live and a bit of bodging and TLC have brought him back to life, full of character; Shaky brings you any and all 78's that happen to join his collection. Enjoy!
Follow Shaky on Twitter: @ShakyGramophone twitter.com/ShakyGramophone