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A nice Columbia...

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 11:57 pm
by phonophan79
...on CL. They're only asking $150 obo.

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/clt/1019739399.html

Re: A nice Columbia...

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 12:31 pm
by solophoneman
I already saw it, I am all over this like you know what!! This machine my friend is a Columbia Viva Tonal. You do not see those come up for sale very often. It appears from Bombach's Columbia Phonograph Companion Boook to be a Model 721, a medium sized Vivatonal issue, and believe me if this machine is only $150.00 bucks it is well worth the investment assuming it is in decent shape(working condition, no major flaws to the cabinet etc.).

Re: A nice Columbia...

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:42 pm
by estott
This machine is relatively near me and I could arrange to give it a look over. I'm seriously thinking of it myself but I have limited space. Anyone want a beautiful VV-405? It's presently in central NY State but will be moving to Albany eventually.

Re: A nice Columbia...

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 6:51 pm
by solophoneman
Other than "Look For the Dog" I have never seen a VV-405 with its beautiful and unusual Walnut veneered cabinet. I would be curious to see what it really looks like. Could you put some photos up here on the Talking Machine Forum. As for the Columbia, I really don't have the room for it and it is a 3 hour drive away one way. I certainly would rather see it go to a deserving Collector, rather then a dealer who will grab it for a cheap price and then try to resell it for 4 times what he paid. Not that I am against Free Enterprise

Re: A nice Columbia...

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:48 pm
by estott
I'd post pictures but I haven't any and it's a long ways off right now. The problem with selling it is, as is the case with many console machines, that the beautiful cabinet doesn't seem to translate into being a hot seller. These days collectors want machines that are immediately identifiable as Phonographs, not cabinets with little indication of their function -OR- If they want those cabinets they want an Orthophonic machine inside. I suspect I'd be lucky to get $200 for it, and no one would be willing to pay to have it shipped. I'll find a spot for it.

Re: A nice Columbia...

Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2009 11:49 pm
by gramophoneshane
I always find it strange that consoles aren't popular in the USA, and that "space" is such a concern amoung collectors. Over here it doesn't seem to worry anyone, and consoles sell just as well as uprights. Normally a console will sell for the same price or a little more than an upright.
Strange :|
Do we have bigger houses or something??
If I saw that Columbia in a local shop, I'd have no problem handing over $500 for it.

Re: A nice Columbia...

Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 9:41 am
by solophoneman
gramophoneshane wrote:I always find it strange that consoles aren't popular in the USA, and that "space" is such a concern amoung collectors. Over here it doesn't seem to worry anyone, and consoles sell just as well as uprights. Normally a console will sell for the same price or a little more than an upright.
Strange :|
Do we have bigger houses or something??
If I saw that Columbia in a local shop, I'd have no problem handing over $500 for it.
Nope the size of the house has nothing to do with it. You're priorities are much more correct than ours. More room for Phonographs, and less room for furniture and beds and bureaus and other non-essential items like that.