![[The Talking Machine Forum - For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings]](/styles/we_universal/theme/images/the_talking_machine_forum.png)
A few weeks ago, I found somebody who was selling a Columbia AH with the scarce filigree carry arm that he got for free from somebody's barn. It was too far, but fortunately he had to travel south for an operation and we were able to meet up. I was able to get it for $65
The paint was a huge pain, and was really stuck on there. There was no way to peel or dig under the paint, instead I had to slowly scrape off the paint until I got down to the finish. Then I cleaned the cabinet with New Life Furniture Masque (which I highly recommend). The veneer that was peeling off the top was glued back down, and I over coated the top with shellac, as well as a few of the panels on the sides. Lots and lots of scraping, picking, rubbing and buffing, but the results were great.
The reproducer was rebuilt, the motor cleaned and re-oiled, and the felt was replaced. All that is left is to find a horn with the elbow an I will have a nice and complete original machine. If anybody has one they are willing to sell please let me know
Martin
Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
-
Mormon S
- Victor III
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2018 6:27 pm
- Personal Text: "phono_fluff" on instagram
Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
- Attachments
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Curt A
- Victor Monarch Special
- Posts: 6851
- Joined: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:32 pm
- Personal Text: Needle Tins are Addictive
- Location: Belmont, North Carolina
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
WOW... that was an incredible deal. I have been wanting one of those machines for years... You did a great job of saving the original finish and decal...
"The phonograph is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
-
Mormon S
- Victor III
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Mon May 07, 2018 6:27 pm
- Personal Text: "phono_fluff" on instagram
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Thank you Curt! I'm usually not one for disc machines, but you cant not love the AH, its truly gorgeous.Curt A wrote:WOW... that was an incredible deal. I have been wanting one of those machines for years... You did a great job of saving the original finish and decal...
Martin
-
VanEpsFan1914
- Victor VI
- Posts: 3375
- Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2017 11:39 am
- Personal Text: I've got both kinds of music--classical & rag-time.
- Location: South Carolina
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Paying $65 for it was pretty great, and how it came out was even better. That one looks like it's been in a collection forever. Hope you can find a nice horn soon & get it perfect!
-
Jerry B.
- Victor Monarch Special
- Posts: 8731
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:25 am
- Personal Text: Stop for a visit when in Oregon.
- Location: Albany, Oregon
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Looks terrific! What a deal!
Jerry B.
Jerry B.
-
dzavracky
- Victor IV
- Posts: 1613
- Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2019 11:37 pm
- Location: Washington DC
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Great work!
I enjoyed seeing pictures of it throughout the process. You certainly do have a way with these machines that make them look incredible!
David
I enjoyed seeing pictures of it throughout the process. You certainly do have a way with these machines that make them look incredible!
David
-
JerryVan
- Victor Monarch Special
- Posts: 6595
- Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
- Location: Southeast MI
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Really nice! You're doing some excellent work!
-
tictalk
- Victor II
- Posts: 370
- Joined: Sun Mar 23, 2014 11:10 am
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Looks great, those are the deals that keep us searching.
-
Lucius1958
- Victor Monarch
- Posts: 4069
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:17 am
- Location: Where there's "hamburger ALL OVER the highway"...
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Beautiful! 
- Bill
- Bill
-
Phono-Phan
- Victor V
- Posts: 2814
- Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:38 pm
- Location: Plover, WI
Re: Columbia AH barn find + great transformation
Great job!! I am glad you took the time to get it all cleaned up rather than strip and refinish. Very impressive.