Columbia # 5 reproducer - Soundbox non-grata ?

[De Soto Frank]

These last few years, my interests have taken me away from Victor and Edison, and into other realms of Talking Machines, most significantly, Columbia.


I have Baumbach's book on the Columbia Disc machines, which is a great help, but it is still a murky swamp.


Lately, I've been curious about the various reproducers Columbia used on the Disc Graphophones and Grafonolas.


I'm familiar with the "Analyzing Reproducer", the ubiquitous No. 6, the "New Columbia", and from pictures, the Concert Grand.


The one that baffles me is the No. 5 reproducer. I see it mentioned in print, pictured in the rogues' gallery of Baumbach, but I cannot seem to find anything definitive about it on the interwebs.

When were they produced, what machines were they furnished with, how are they identified, what is the diameter on the diaphragm, how do they mount to the arm ?




Thanks !

[marcapra]

I may have a No. 5 reproducer. It came on my 1909 Regent Columbia phonograph and has a July 11, 1905 Patent on the back. I went to the Regent to remove the reproducer and was shocked to see that it had no mica diaphragm on it and no Columbia logo! Instead it had what looks like a plastic diaphragm with ridges all around and three concentric cirles around the middle where the needle bar goes in. I also have a 1913 Baby Regent which has what might be a No. 6. Both reproducers can be used on either machine. The No. 6, if that's what it is, differs from the Baumbach illustration in that it has Trade Mark surrounding the Magic Notes and Made in America under the notes. But the Baumbach illustrations are just drawings so maybe they are not accurate. has anyone ever seen a Columbia reproducer with a black plastic diaphragm and no Columbia logo?

[De Soto Frank]

Marc,

If you would be inclined to take some photos and measurements of the reproducer from your 1909 Regent, I would be grateful.

I know of another possible No. 5, without markings, and a concentric-ridged metal diaphrgam.

I wonder if the black diaphragm from your 1909 is made from gutta-percha ( a hard-rubber used for things like fountain-pens, clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces, etc. before the Depression ) ?

Let me know if you have time and interest in this leg-work...

Thanks !

Frank

[marcapra]

After touching the black diaphragm it feels like aluminum. I took some pics of both the old 1909 and the newer No. 6? I need to correct something I said in my previous post. I can play the 1909 reproducer on my Baby Regent, but cannot play the 1913 Baby Regent reproducer on my 1909 Regent. It won't fit. One thing you can see about Columbia disc machines is I don't think they are very well-known judging from the lack of response to your question.

[De Soto Frank]

Mark,

If you have vernier calipers, micrometer, or even a good set of open-end wrenches, could you measure the outside diameter of the bayonet-hub of the 1909 reproducer ?


Thanks !

Frank

[marcapra]

I measured the outside diameter of the 1909 Columbia reproducer neck with an open end wrench, and it is ¾".