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
I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
-
- Victor Jr
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:09 pm
- De Soto Frank
- Victor V
- Posts: 2687
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:27 pm
- Location: Northeast Pennsylvania
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
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.
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.
De Soto Frank
- Django
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:31 pm
- Location: New Hampshire’s West Coast
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
If you could provide the cabinet dimensions, number of springs, and reproducer type, someone here should be able to identify your machine.
-
- Victor Jr
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:09 pm
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
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!
The tone-arm joints seem to move very easily in all directions.
I'll try and get some more specifics! Thanks guys!
- Django
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1693
- Joined: Thu Apr 13, 2017 7:31 pm
- Location: New Hampshire’s West Coast
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
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.
-
- Victor VI
- Posts: 3719
- Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2010 7:00 pm
- Location: Western, WA State
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
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
Harvey Kravitz
-
- Victor Jr
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:09 pm
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
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 . 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
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
- De Soto Frank
- Victor V
- Posts: 2687
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:27 pm
- Location: Northeast Pennsylvania
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
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 !
"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 !
De Soto Frank
-
- Victor Jr
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:09 pm
Re: I need help identifying my Columbia Grafonola!
Thanks for the info!