Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post links to auctions and classifieds here
epigramophone
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 5204
Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2011 1:21 pm
Personal Text: An analogue relic trapped in a digital world.
Location: The Somerset Levels, UK.

Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by epigramophone »

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203602757542 ... %7Ciid%3A1

At first glance this looks like a 131a of 1929, but that model had the Plano-Reflex tonearm and the No.9 soundbox. This one has the American style tonearm found on the 113/113a portables and the No.15 soundbox. No model number is displayed, but the lid transfer clearly states "Made in England".
So much better looking than an HMV Re-Entrant, it would make an unusual addition to anyone's collection. The seller has also listed an HMV511 at the very reasonable starting price of £299. What a fine pair they would make.
Attachments
131a.jpg
Image.jpg

User avatar
Inigo
Victor VI
Posts: 3753
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:51 am
Personal Text: Keep'em well oiled
Location: Madrid, Spain
Contact:

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by Inigo »

Indeed it's beautiful! Impressive!
Inigo

User avatar
Steve
Victor VI
Posts: 3121
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:40 pm
Location: London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, New York, Evesham

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by Steve »

I'm disappointed with the relatively small horn it has in comparison to the size of the cabinet.

As for the seller's comments about Columbia V HMV, I couldn't agree more!

CarlosV
Victor IV
Posts: 1835
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:18 am
Location: Luxembourg

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by CarlosV »

That's quite interesting, it is the first UK Columbia I see with the US Viva Tonal arm. I have the US 810 model, a huge machine with equally large horn and arm. This one looks smaller, and evidently the horn is too small as Steve pointed out. I have also the UK-made 132a, with a plano-reflex arm and a very large bifurcated horn, probably the largest Columbia horn (there is another UK Columbia model, I forget the number, with a slightly taller cabinet than the 132a, but I am not sure if the horn is larger).

User avatar
Inigo
Victor VI
Posts: 3753
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:51 am
Personal Text: Keep'em well oiled
Location: Madrid, Spain
Contact:

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by Inigo »

The 156?
Inigo

CarlosV
Victor IV
Posts: 1835
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:18 am
Location: Luxembourg

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by CarlosV »

Inigo wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:40 pmThe 156?
No, Iñigo, it is not the 156 which is wider but not taller, and the horn does not look that big. I saw that other machine in a Columbia catalogue that Roger posted in the forum, but finding it now is quite complicated, especially if you don't know the type number you are looking for.

User avatar
Inigo
Victor VI
Posts: 3753
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:51 am
Personal Text: Keep'em well oiled
Location: Madrid, Spain
Contact:

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by Inigo »

Yes, a catalogue of uk Columbia models... I remember it...
Inigo

OrthoFan
Victor V
Posts: 2178
Joined: Sat Jul 09, 2016 7:12 pm

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by OrthoFan »

CarlosV wrote: Thu Sep 16, 2021 4:05 am
Inigo wrote: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:40 pmThe 156?
No, Iñigo, it is not the 156 which is wider but not taller, and the horn does not look that big. I saw that other machine in a Columbia catalogue that Roger posted in the forum, but finding it now is quite complicated, especially if you don't know the type number you are looking for.
I think this is it:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=43053

OrthoFan

User avatar
Inigo
Victor VI
Posts: 3753
Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 1:51 am
Personal Text: Keep'em well oiled
Location: Madrid, Spain
Contact:

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by Inigo »

That is! Thanks!
Inigo

CarlosV
Victor IV
Posts: 1835
Joined: Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:18 am
Location: Luxembourg

Re: Top of the range UK Columbia.

Post by CarlosV »

OrthoFan wrote: Thu Sep 16, 2021 10:37 am

I think this is it:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=43053

OrthoFan
Yes, thanks for finding it! The 134a is the one I had in mind, it is slightly larger than the 132a, with possibly a larger horn.

Post Reply