FOUND: Columbia BF

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Sun Jul 24, 2016 10:03 pm

If you have one for sale, please let me know by PM. If you'd like to send photos and asking price, too, please do. Thanks.

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Tue Jul 26, 2016 10:50 am

I'll be driving down from SF to LA for the big phono show on 13-14 August, so if you have a BF along that route (or that can get to the show), let me know...

PeterF · Post by **PeterF** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 2:50 am

Well guess what turned up on craigslist, locally, bright and early this morning?

I think the BE and BF cousins are the most perfected of the Columbia cylinder machines, with pleasing aesthetics and solid performance. In a lot of ways they perform like a Home in a Standard size package (BE) and a Triumph in a Home size package (BF). Plus they possess ornate and interesting cabinets, lovely nickeled bedplates, banner decals, gilt and flowered decoration, and clean industrial design with faired-in top works and no exposed gears or feed screws.

The aluminum horns are audacious, and compelling, at the same time.

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:05 am

Congrats... I love mine

phonogfp · Post by **phonogfp** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:52 am

Congratulations! A BF isn't the typical caliber of phonograph that shows up on Craigslist - - at least not around here...

And it came with its original aluminum horn? You might want to buy a lottery ticket.

I agree that the BF, BE, and BG are outstanding machines. Your comparisons of the $30 BE to the $30 Edison Home and the $40 BF to the $50 Edison Triumph are apt, and I've pointed out the same thing in the past. I love 'em all, but in 1905-1907 I'd have bought a Graphophone.

George P.

Phonofreak · Post by **Phonofreak** » Sun Jul 31, 2016 7:59 pm

I always had a soft spot for the later B series Graphophones. I love the ornate cabinets, the nickle plated bedplates, and the floral decals on the black enamel upper mechanism. I think they play loud and clear. The only draw back is you cannot play wax cylinders on them. If a 2/4 min Graphophone shows up, that's even better. They have no pot metal, either.
Harvey Kravitz