What goes around comes around

[Phono-Phan]

Last May I posted some pictures of a Barrel Piano and a Peerless Model 44 player piano that I found in a shop. I had interest in the Peerless 44. I put out some questions about it to various forums. I received several responses that it is very early and worth buying if only for parts. The asking price was only $800. One person from Oregon that responded with advice has two of them and also highly recommended me to buy it. He also mentioned that there were a couple of parts missing but he could make them. I talked with him several times about it. It would have been great to own it but I had to admit that my skills to bring this back to life were not adequate. I called the guy from Oregon and asked him if he was interested. He jumped at the chance. I told him to call the shop where the Peerless was at and work out a payment with them. I didn't want to make anything in the middle. Once he made his payment, I picked it up and brought it to my house.What made this a very unique transaction was that I told him that I might be able to arrange it to be shipped back to him. This is where two members of this forum come in. I bought an Edison A200 for Bruce Johnson (Valecnik) last Winter. He said he would pick it up on his way to the Union phonograph show in June. Another member, Jerry Blais, lives about an hour from the guy that wants the Peerless 44. Bruce and Jerry agreed to help transport the Peerless 44. Bruce from my house to the Union show and Jerry from the Union show to Oregon. Keep in mind that this is all happening just days before the Union show. I guess all the right stars were in alignment to make this happen. A Peerless 44 sold at auction just after the Union show for around $10K. I received a call from the new owner of the Peerless 44 and he thanked me again. He contacted Jerry and made arrangements for the Peerless to be dropped off by him. He was shocked that I didn't want to make anything in the middle or even a finders fee. I told him that the Peerless is where it needs to be to be brought back to life. This is when he offered something to me. He said he had something in his shop that he wanted to part with. It was a Columbia Baby Grand phonograph in Circassian Walnut. He offered it to me for a very fair price and said he could have it delivered to my door. His shipper took a while but it came the other day. I couldn't be more pleased with it. It needs some work but I don't think it is anything major. The finish is absolutely awesome. There is also some great paperwork with it including a dealer's brochure bound in leather showing the other similar Columbia phonographs.

Many thanks to Bruce and Jerry for their help!! I don't think this would have happened without them.

I would like to talk with anyone that has one of these to ask some questions on the motor assembly. It is nothing like any phonograph that I have ever worked on before and want to make sure I have it right before plugging it in.

Ken Brekke

P.S. I tried, but the Kalamazoo Duplex in his shop isn't for sale.

[Jerry B.]

The Circassian Grafonola is fabulous! I was glad to help with transportation. Jerry

[ambrola]

All I can say is it couldn't happen to a better guy. That is a beautiful piano Ken. Kodos to all the good guys that made this happen.

[alang]

Thanks for sharing this story. It is awesome that members of this forum step up again and again to help each other out. Your new Grafonola looks absolutely stunning. Congratulations.

Andreas

[phonocookie]

That is one nice piano. Can't be many of those around. Jerry

[Valecnik]

Yea the only real casualties in the whole affair were the contents of Ken's refrigerator. That beast was heavy and we developed quite a thirst during loading!

[phonogfp]

Great story; happy ending.

Beautiful Grafonola!

George P.

[Phono-Phan]

Thanks for the kind comments. Here is a picture of the Columbia motor board. A fellow forum member sold me a parts chassis but I could use some more parts. Please contact me if you have anything like this available.
Thanks,
Ken Brekke

[Curt A]

Great story and a win/win for both of you....

[audiophile102]

Thanks for sharing this story. It is awesome that members of this forum step up again and again to help each other out. Your new Grafonola looks absolutely stunning. Congratulations.

Andreas

I couldn't say it better myself. Truly stunning Grafonola. Great fun!