The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm really excited to go pick up this Aeolian Vocalion later today, which I think may be an art model?

(I've gone through a few Aeolian catalogs and can't find the exact model, anybody recognized it?)

It needs quite a bit of work but I think I can get it back together and cleaned up. I believe the Graduola may be missing which maybe hard to track down, and the lid support, but that'll be a little easier. I would like to get a new grille made when I find the original pattern. So if anyone has a suggestion of where I could a new one made I'd appreciate it.

I'll share some better photos when I get it back to my garage.

That was an impressive machine. I look forward to photos when it's brought back to its original splendor. It's a very worthy project. Jerry Blais

Nice project. As far as the grille goes you may want to try Gramps Treasures, he may have a template to this machine. I've had several grilles made through him and he does great work. Bill K

These are really cool and very large machines... I used to have a different version, the very one that’s shown on page 175 of Fabrizio and Paul’s discovering antique phonographs (I hope it’s ok to post a shot of the page)... unfortunately I sold mine during a move several years ago. One of the biggest issues I had restoring it was locating the correct overhang support for the tonearm... aeolian used pot metal, like Columbia, and those supports are often damaged if not broken.

Found a few shots of my old machine... may help with your grill and other issues...

brianu wrote:These are really cool and very large machines... I used to have a different version, the very one that’s shown on page 175 of Fabrizio and Paul’s discovering antique phonographs (I hope it’s ok to post a shot of the page)...

Brian, it's okay by me to post a shot of a book page occasionally, as long as you mention where it came from - as you did.

Personally, I think this model looks more impressive with its lid closed - what a beautiful monster!

Best of luck with the restoration!

George P.

Congrats!! Please post pictures of the restoration.
Ken

It should be possible to get a Graduola out of a busted example of a cheap machine- lots out there with ruined arms.

Hey--that has an electric motor, right? That in itself is worth celebrating just for rarity, let alone such a fancy machine.


Beautiful find, hope to see some restoration pictures!

Great to see such an interesting Aeolian cabinet. The very first machine I ever heard or played with was my great grandfathers Aeolian. Nothing like yours. Most I see around here are almost box like in design, I have often wondered why when most other companies had more attractive cases. Do let us see it again when the cabinet is finished. Finding a grill will make a huge difference. A friend ran into a very small oak table model Aeolian, it is quite attractive considering the overall design. And it sounds very good.

The one my grandmother had when I was a child a relative tried to wind up and broke the spring on the first try. I was heartbroken when she gave it to a reclusive nephew due to the spring. He never got it going either so I don't know what happened to it.