SOLD: Columbia Viva Tonal model 163 rebuilt - $175

[Phono48]

The strip that's missing from the back is brass, easy to fabricate.

Barry

[Columbia78]

The strip that's missing from the back is brass, easy to fabricate.

Barry

It's good to know what that's supposed to look like. Seems someone put a strip of tape over the bare spot on this one.

At this point, I'm thinking I may have the sound box rebuilt, it just seems to have no low end. I did a quick video of the flip side of the same disc this time with the older Viva Tonal 160, which I might add that it has never had any work done to the soundbox at all, and I've owned it for at least 20 years...

https://youtu.be/Ab2kDRYV2H8

There is just such a remarkable difference in tone. I think the 163 can sound better than it does now.

[MicaMonster]

Viva-Tonal records didn't have as much bass as Victor Orthophonics. Their system had more midrange. The louder bass response you are receiving from your other phono is probably from it having a hardened rubber insulator. Unfortunately when I took the flange apart for that one, the hard rubber insulator disintegrated. In any case, the reproducer design itself has a much more ridgid diaphragm than an Ortho, requiring a more compliant flange.

I compare this somewhat to what people think a Victrola #2 should sound like, as compared to how it was designed to sound. It shouldn't necessarily be louder than an Exhibition (it is slightly, though), but it has more color from the larger diaphragm.

In any case, if you disassemble it, be aware of the needle bar bearings...they can fall out and be lost in any fine carpet!

-W

[Henry]

In any case, if you disassemble it, be aware of the needle bar bearings...they can fall out and be lost in any fine carpet!

-W

Fine carpet?---how about crummy carpet? Like the kind in my house? Of course, I don't have either an Ortho or a Viva-, so question is irrelevant.

[Columbia78]

Viva-Tonal records didn't have as much bass as Victor Orthophonics. Their system had more midrange. The louder bass response you are receiving from your other phono is probably from it having a hardened rubber insulator. Unfortunately when I took the flange apart for that one, the hard rubber insulator disintegrated. In any case, the reproducer design itself has a much more ridgid diaphragm than an Ortho, requiring a more compliant flange.

I compare this somewhat to what people think a Victrola #2 should sound like, as compared to how it was designed to sound. It shouldn't necessarily be louder than an Exhibition (it is slightly, though), but it has more color from the larger diaphragm.

In any case, if you disassemble it, be aware of the needle bar bearings...they can fall out and be lost in any fine carpet!

-W

I doubt that I'll take it apart myself. I may send it to George Vollema. I'm not sure yet. He repaired/rebuilt the Columbia 15 sound box from my Nipponophone and it sounds wonderful. So from your memory you did do a rebuild on the inside of that box when you had it?

[Columbia78]

Update: The lack of tone was bothering me, so I'm having it worked on. Found out some interesting things. Inside of tone arm says "Swiss Made". That's odd. Back flange of soudbox is pot metal, frozen to tone arm. Not good... Stay tuned.

[alang]

Be careful, mine was frozen to the tonearm as well. I tried to use heat, but did not think that the elbow is just soldered to the tonearm, so it fell apart. Still looking for a replacement. I would (now) leave the two parts together and simply fill the gasket gap with red silicone.

Andreas

[Columbia78]

Be careful, mine was frozen to the tonearm as well. I tried to use heat, but did not think that the elbow is just soldered to the tonearm, so it fell apart. Still looking for a replacement. I would (now) leave the two parts together and simply fill the gasket gap with red silicone.

Andreas

George Vollema tried all the tricks in his book to get it apart and couldn't do it, so he's working on the soundbox with it attached still to the tonearm. Hopefully it will sound a little better then. Trying to keep it original, or I could have put a nickel soundbox on it.