Question about Columbia BI Sterling phonograph

[blau28]

Hello to everybody
I’m thinking in buy a Columbia Sterling Graphophone model BI. There is one in Ebay that I like, but I’m not sure if the tone arm is correct as the reproducer that it have. Looks all original but I prefer be safe because I’m not expert in ameticans maxhines but always love this model.
I attached pictures.
Thanks in advance
Albert.

[Django]

I believe that the reproducer shown is a Columbia Concert, and the Concert was used on the BI. The tone arm is a little different than mine, but my machine is a slightly later BI. That tone arm has construction similar to the Columbia Deluxe of that same time period, but the Deluxe has the horn underneath so the reproducer would be on the wrong side if someone tried to use it with an outside horn, (the Deluxe is also gold plated). My guess is that the reproducer and tone arm are correct or at least genuine columbia. Harvey Kravitz will probably be able to provide a more trustworthy answer. The BI is a nice machine, (they look great, have a good motor and are a nice size). Having the dust ring is a plus. Good luck.

[De Soto Frank]

Harvey is the man for Columbias...

The earlier disc machines had a cast aluminum arm, with an "Analyzing" reproducer attached with three screws, and a rubber isolator flange.

Somewhere around 1909-1910-ish, Columbia came-out with a drawn, butt-soldered sheet-brass arm, with a convoluted rubber isolator flange that accommodated the first-generation bayonet reproducer mount, eg: the "Concert" and "Symphony" reproducers, similar to what this machine is fitted with.


I believe this arm / reproducer combination were used on both the Graphophone horn machines, and the early Grafonolas.

I think the machine may be correct as shown.

Let's see what Harvey has to say.

[jboger]

I would look closely at the area indicated in the photo below (the second one). Not sure, but the one under consideration seems to be missing the tonearm rest. Also, I have now added a photo of a different machine that has neither a bracket nor a tonearm rest. Neither of these machines are mine, but I do own both types, with and without the rests. I have never seen a machine that's a hybrid of both types. I have two BIs. Both have a complete set of rests, on the tonearm and on the bracket. Won't function properly without both.

[Lucius1958]

Harvey is the man for Columbias...

The earlier disc machines had a cast aluminum arm, with an "Analyzing" reproducer attached with three screws, and a rubber isolator flange.

Somewhere around 1909-1910-ish, Columbia came-out with a drawn, butt-soldered sheet-brass arm, with a convoluted rubber isolator flange that accommodated the first-generation bayonet reproducer mount, eg: the "Concert" and "Symphony" reproducers, similar to what this machine is fitted with.


I believe this arm / reproducer combination were used on both the Graphophone horn machines, and the early Grafonolas.

I think the machine may be correct as shown.

Let's see what Harvey has to say.

Interesting: my BI has the early arm & Analyzing reproducer, but no sign of a dust ring or handle. It also has the later "profile" decal, which seems to be original, and no "prizes" decal.

Bill

[Lucius1958]

Hello to everybody
I’m thinking in buy a Columbia Sterling Graphophone model BI. There is one in Ebay that I like, but I’m not sure if the tone arm is correct as the reproducer that it have. Looks all original but I prefer be safe because I’m not expert in ameticans maxhines but always love this model.
I attached pictures.
Thanks in advance
Albert.

If you get it, it would be interesting to document some other details on this BI.

. What decal (or decals) are on the case
. Is there an ornamental handle, or evidence of one?
. Is the motor 2 spring or 3 spring?

Bill

[blau28]

Thanks to everybody !!!
First of all, sorry for my bad english, and again, thank you so much for your help.
These are the pictures that I have to the machone.
I hope they help.
Best regsrds
Albert.

[startgroove]

I've owned several BI's through the years, it being one of my favorite style Columbia's. All of them have had the earlier plunger and screw style stop/speed control like on this one (though this one seems to have a home made control on it). AND, all of them have the cast aluminum tone arm with the small diameter analyzing reproducer. This one seems to have a much later tone arm made of sheet brass, and carrying a very late reproducer. Could be the machine was upgraded with a later tone arm so that a better reproducer could be used. The back bracket appears to be authentic, since the BI had nickel plated back bracket and three screws (instead of two) holding the bracket. Cheers, Russie

PS, One test that will help confirm if the tone arm is at least correct in dimensions, is to swing the tone arm to the center of the turntable. If the needle crosses the record spindle at its center, nearly so, the tone arm is a the correct dimensions. If there the needle misses by a significant amount, that would prove it is not the correct tone arm.

[jboger]

I think this is a nice machine. There's enough there that, depending on the price, I would buy it. I believe the tonearm is a Columbia product, just not the original one, even if the right length.I also believe this is a later style tonearm and reproducer that were not available during the years the BI was made. If the tonearm is missing what I call its rest, but the bracket has the corresponding rest, then I highly doubt the machine left the factory that way. Some might argue, back in those days Columbia's quality control may not have been so good. I can not comment on that. But if both rests were present, then there would be no question and no need to invoke such an explanation as poor quality control. I'm very fond of Columbia's. They come in endless varieties. You never know what you'll find. I'm hoping the master chimes in.

[blau28]

The seller is asking for US 1500 USD. Do you think that is a right price? Sorry, but I’m living in Europe and no have too much idea about the USA machines. Good is that I can buy it by Ebay using global program shipment, so I avoid to do the horrible butocracy tramits of customs in Spain.
Thanks for your help.
Albert