Columbia Q - reasonable ball-park price ?

[De Soto Frank]

Oh no - not another "what is it worth?" thread...

I am considering a Columbia Graphophone Q, and am wondering what a reasonable ball-park is.


Here's some details:

Original condition, very good condition decal on cover, no corrosion on machine, nickel & aluminum parts dull / patina-ed, but no pitting or green / black oxidation.

Original floating reproducer with good stylus.

Solid winding-key (not ornate scroll casting)

Original 12-14" aluminum horn with some light dents, no sharp creases.

Plays, but seems like it would benefit from cleaning and oiling.


Completed e-bay listings seem to run between $300 & $500, but several of these had no horn and or reproducer, and none had an aluminum horn.

Thanks !

Frank

[HisMastersVoice]

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $300-$350 for a Q in the condition described. Perhaps if it were green oak I would go a little more.

[rizbone]

I purchased one at an auction for $250 about four months ago in pretty good shape but with the steel horn. Not sure how much value the aluminum horn has.

[FellowCollector]

Good condition original aluminum horns for the Columbia cylinder Graphophones are hard to find. If you and the seller can agree on a price of $400 or less I would take it faster than you can say "original aluminum horn". The Columbia Q is fairly common as Columbia Graphophones go but the good condition original aluminum horn is what makes this one worth the money you spend and the reproducer being original with good stylus is nice too. If it works then don't let it slip through your fingers if you can agree on a decent price.

Doug

[De Soto Frank]

Thanks all for your replies...


I will be going back to look at it this coming weekend, and see if a deal can be made...


I think we'll be in the range you chaps have suggested.




Frank

[FloridaClay]

Good condition original aluminum horns for the Columbia cylinder Graphophones are hard to find. If you and the seller can agree on a price of $400 or less I would take it faster than you can say "original aluminum horn". The Columbia Q is fairly common as Columbia Graphophones go but the good condition original aluminum horn is what makes this one worth the money you spend and the reproducer being original with good stylus is nice too. If it works then don't let it slip through your fingers if you can agree on a decent price.

Doug

What Doug said.

Clay

[Bob]

A decent original columbia aluminum horn is $300+ by itself.

[De Soto Frank]

A decent original columbia aluminum horn is $300+ by itself.

What is the overall-length and bell-diameter of an original Aluminum Horn ? Any other identifying marks ?

[fran604g]

Hi Frank,

My QA original aluminum horn is 13-¾" long on the diagonal and 7-¼" diameter at the bell. Here are a couple of pictures of it.

Hope this helps,
Fran

[phonojim]

The stamped key is correct for an early Q with the brushed nickel base and the reproducer should be the first style - small diaphragm with angled output tube. If your Q has a cast iron base, the cast filigree key is correct. The aluminum horn, while not technically correct could easily have been sold as an upgrade for the 10" cone horn which was provided as factory equipment.
The Q can sound decent with a rebuilt reproducer and a decent horn. Mine never has because the governor springs are bent. I finally bought new ones after 40 years but haven't gotten around to installing them yet.

Jim