Need Info - Smithola Gramophone

[Victor78]

Im wondering if anyone has any info on a Smithola Gramophone. There should be a picture attached to this post if I did it right Its not real close to me, but the drive wouldn't be an issue. It works, but from talking with the seller, the tone arm is missing a clamp or something that holds it together. Im assuming the tonearm is some sort of a two piece unit. Anyone have any info on the tonearm, or even about the machine itself? Ive never seen one, but the price makes it tempting. Thanks - Jim

[Victor78]

Shane - you are correct. I went and picked the machine up today because I liked the cabinet and because it was different. The tone arm, well, yeah, it's a two piece alright. Looks like someone made some 'changes' to it at some point. Looks like the end of the tone arm was cut off, or something, and they fitted it with a Columbia Viva-Tonal reproducer. The reproducer is in excellent shape, but I'd like to find a good non-cut original tone arm and reproducer. I did pull the turntable and it had Garrard stamped on the bottom. Tomorrow I'll pull the motor board to see the motor. The motor itself seems to be fine spring wise, but more than likely needs a good oil/grease change. The cabinet is in really good shape, no major damage and will look nice cleaned up. It's missing one of the door pulls, but I can take some better shots of the cabinet tomorrow if anyone is interested - it's getting late tonight. The price was right, and I needed another project, Im starting to catch up around here - not good!

[Victor78]

Here is a closer pic of the tonearm base. There is a stamping on the rim that says: BCM/4XTC. Kinda funky if you read it the wrong way Id be interested in find the correct pieces for the machine, so I'll be hunting them down. Im not sure what Im going to do with the Columbia reproducer that came with it at this point, but it sure is an interesting machine.

[Victor78]

Got your PM, thanks! Yes, it is pot metal. Other than the reproducer end being cut off, the rest of it is in good shape as far as cracks, none that I can find. Whats interesting is that the joint before where the reproducer would go, is actually threaded. I cleaned up the cabinet today, and am working with some feed n wax. I'll post some more pics when the cabinet is done.

Jim