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I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 7:56 pm
by Dr_Fontayne
Hello everyone! I’m a newbie here from Illinois. I recently aquired a Colombia Grafonola Upright Model, but I don’t know too much about it. I’m hoping that someone can shed a little light and help me out with the year and model and maybe any other interesting information?

Thanks!

Michael

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:48 am
by De Soto Frank
Looks like a "Mignonette" or "Nonpareil", circa 1912-1916.

Could you post another photo with the lid closed? Contours of the upper lid might help narrow-down the possibilities.


If memory serves me correctly, this was a middle-high end machine, with a three-spring motor.

Make sure the tone-arm joints move easily ( both up & down, and side to side ). Should swing easily of its own weight.

Looks like a very nice example.

:coffee:

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 5:04 pm
by Django
If you could provide the cabinet dimensions, number of springs, and reproducer type, someone here should be able to identify your machine.

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:27 pm
by Dr_Fontayne
Here are a few more photos..

The tone-arm joints seem to move very easily in all directions.

I'll try and get some more specifics! Thanks guys!

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:58 pm
by Django
I think your machine is a model 150. It was introduced in 1915 and sold for $150.00. The walnut looks great. Most are Mahogany or oak. Very nice machine and welcome to the forum. A little warning, these machines and the music can be habit forming.

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:33 pm
by Phonofreak
This also has the "New Columbia Reproducer", circa 1924. This was probably an upgrade over the standard Grafonola No. 6. These reproducers are very loud and clear. I have a correct earlier reproducer if you want your machine historically accurate.
Harvey Kravitz

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:46 pm
by Dr_Fontayne
Wow! That's really awesome Django, thank you for the information. I had no idea that it might have been an early 1900's piece. It is in overall pretty good shape, thanks! It's been very habit forming so far :lol: . Now.. to build the collection!

Thank you for the information Phonofreak. The reproducer is quite loud. I may be possibly interested in that, I'll shoot you a PM sometime.

Thank you De Soto Frank for your information also!

-Dr. Fontayne

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:05 pm
by De Soto Frank
You can purchase needles in LOUD, Medium, and soft varieties.

"Soft" will be kindest to your records and your ears, especially if the machine is in a smaller room, with hard surfaces.


If you don't already know, use a new needle every for every side played.


Thanks for sharing your machine !

:)

Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!

Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:46 pm
by Dr_Fontayne
Thanks for the info! :D