Columbia Grafonola
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- Victor Jr
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat May 26, 2018 4:41 pm
Columbia Grafonola
I just bought this Columbia Grafonola, and I would like any information on it that any of you experts have about it? I cannot figure out just what model it is.
- audiophile102
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1219
- Joined: Tue May 12, 2015 12:50 pm
- Personal Text: Say to yourself I am so happy hurray!
- Location: Brookfield, Illinois
Re: Columbia Grafonola
Does it look like this?
http://www.montanaphonograph.com/gallery/ColA100.html
Or this?
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=33103
http://www.montanaphonograph.com/gallery/ColA100.html
Or this?
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=33103
"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."
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- Victor Jr
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Sat May 26, 2018 4:41 pm
Re: Columbia Grafonola
It looks similar but has 2 doors, and 4 record boxes that pull Down, also a thin drawer under the 4 boxes. It plays, but probably needs new needles. I am trying to figure out what knobs belong on the doors. Sorry about the upside down pic
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- Victor VI
- Posts: 3719
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:00 pm
- Location: Western, WA State
Re: Columbia Grafonola
You have either a "Nonpareil", or a Model 150. If it has a female crank, then it is a "Nonpareil". These were made from 1913-15. If this has a male crank, then it is a Model, 150. The model number designates the price. These were made from 1915-18.This should have a three spring motor. Nice machine.
Harvey Kravitz
Harvey Kravitz
- GlensterTX
- Victor O
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Sat Jan 30, 2016 6:33 pm
- Location: Dallas,TX
Re: Columbia Grafonola
A little easier to see what a nice machine this is:
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- Victor VI
- Posts: 3179
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 11:39 am
- Personal Text: I've got both kinds of music--classical & rag-time.
- Location: South Carolina
Re: Columbia Grafonola
Lily,
To keep your records in better shape you will have to change the needle every time you play a record. I know this sounds weird--we're used to long-lasting needles on stereo sets, but back in the day the only way to keep from destroying records was to ensure the soundbox (needle head) had soft, fresh rubber gaskets, and to change the needle every time with a brand new one. (You can't economize by turning it, it'll just shred the grooves.)
eBay and the parts suppliers sell new needles and gaskets--they can turn the sound from meh to glorious. I always do that with mine, and never save original gaskets. They don't work well after a century of dry rotting!
To keep your records in better shape you will have to change the needle every time you play a record. I know this sounds weird--we're used to long-lasting needles on stereo sets, but back in the day the only way to keep from destroying records was to ensure the soundbox (needle head) had soft, fresh rubber gaskets, and to change the needle every time with a brand new one. (You can't economize by turning it, it'll just shred the grooves.)
eBay and the parts suppliers sell new needles and gaskets--they can turn the sound from meh to glorious. I always do that with mine, and never save original gaskets. They don't work well after a century of dry rotting!