Columbia BII Or 60H Question.

[VanEpsFan1914]

I actually like the late-model-Grafonola style elbow. Wish my 1909 BN was like that--or I'd held out for a later model. (Not knocking the BN, but it's a very simple machine. Good sound though)

There was one of these with a big mahogany horn at a swap meet and I would love to have purchased it...a Model 60H. Those are stunning!

I didn’t mean for my comment to sound negative. I think the 60H is very desirable and I like things that are a little odd. I would love to have one myself.

No negativity noticed--Just thinking out loud in the thread. Then again, the BI and others are much more expensive originally than my simple BN would have been so there is probably little relevance--it seems like Columbia's cheaper products were not quite as over-engineered as their more expensive offerings. But a Victrola is a Victrola.

One thing I noticed about the swap-meet 60H was that it had a reproducer with an aluminum diaphragm--and even though it had never been restored it still carried quite a respectable sound for its condition. Good engineering! The old mica diaphragm models weren't quite this potent.

[startgroove]

Django, you are absolutely right! I compared the pictures carefully also, and find the grain patterns are a match. The pictures are identical except for some distortion or reduced clarity in the picture of the 60H.

I upended the one I have in order to read the label on the bottom. It says it should sell for $50, which is what the data on page 86 indicates is a BII of 1909. This one has a mica diaphragm. I also noted it has a top mounted speed control and yet the mechanism casting also has the threaded hole where the push/pull brake and rotating speed control is on earlier models.

Cheers, Russie

[startgroove]

A third variation has surfaced! The photos show yet another style of back bracket and tone arm combination, which represents a significant difference in construction. This one carries a bottom label which states the selling price as $50. No explanation of the variations yet. Does anyone have any thoughts? Cheers, Russie