For Sale: Very nice / loud Columbia Q- NEW PRICE

[Lucius1958]

There is restoration, and there is 'restoration'. Talking machines are not cars: if you have a phonograph in decent original condition, and clean, relubricate, and polish, so that it performs well and looks presentable, despite signs of age, that is fine. Not everything has to be 'cherry'. I might contrast the car simile with that of antique furniture, where 'original finish' is primarily to be preserved.

The OP is well within the bounds of decency in this restoration.

- Bill

[gramophone-georg]

When I see one of you pay 350 bucks for it, then you have the right to comment, but not one of you loud mouths would even consider it. So take your comments and stick um!

Let's see your receipt where YOU paid.
I've got all night.

[winduphere]

When I see one of you pay 350 bucks for it, then you have the right to comment, but not one of you loud mouths would even consider it. So take your comments and stick um!

Let's see your receipt where YOU paid.
I've got all night.
[/

[Raphael]

The seller’s description and photos are about as good as they get. So, you disagree with the term “restored”, and use that as a platform to insult and demean the man, who happens to be one of the most knowledgeable and qualified people in our hobby. I too have utilized his professionalism and dedication; he has even made “house calls” for me when a customer of mine could not get a complex machine running. Most recently he restored, and brought back to life, a rare Rosenfield AZ for me, a job that I know of only one or two other people currently capable (or willing) to do.

Instead of the negative comments about his use of the word “restored”, perhaps a statement praising all the work that he stated that he did on such a low-end machine. Given that auto mechanics these days often charge $150/hour, it seems reasonable to me that he is asking $350. And just like I don’t have to buy the Mona Lisa to appreciate it, I also don’t have to buy this to do the same.

Raphael

[drh]

I don't usually enter the 'fray' on these discussions. but can't hold my tongue on this one.

The criticism thrown at a long-time restorer and collector is unwarranted and immature. I've known the seller of this "Q" for over 40 years. He was one of the first collectors I met in the hobby. He lives within an hour of me and I've been to his home many times. As cmshapiro said, he is one of the better restorers in the hobby. He has done outstanding work on three different coin-op cylinder machines for me, as well as a Class M and a Wizard. I have personally seen the Hexaphones, Multiphone, Eclipse and other high-end machines that he has restored for some of the most well-known collectors in the country. There are a handful of very skilled restorers in our hobby and Ken is one of them.

In this hobby "fully restored" means different things to different people, but to most collectors, preserving the originality of the machine, if at all possible, is preferred over re-painting, re-striping , etc. Ken preserved the Q and "restored" it to as near its original state as possible.

I just "fully restored" an early Victor M that has been in the same family since new in 1903. I delivered it the family this morning. I cleaned and preserved the original finish, disassembled the motor--cleaned the springs and all gears and lubed up everything-- All metal parts were cleaned and polished and the reproducer re-built. Next week, the horn will be sent to John Duffy. I've been in the hobby for 46 years and have a pretty good sense of what collectors mean when they say "fully restored"-- Throwing shade on others in the hobby because you disagree with the definition of a subjective term, is just poor judgement.

Brad Abell

I'll second what Brad has said here in every respect (including that I usually try to avoid wading into arguments like this). Ken has been tending to my machines for years. He takes pride in his work with ample justification. He also takes a lot of joy in it, and I hope the current unprovoked attack doesn't diminish that. If a machine has been given a full overhaul and put into good running order, I would say it has been "restored," but in all events quibbling over semantics is gratuitous and offensive; the listing goes into detail about what has been done and the results achieved, and the photos give a complete account of how the machine stands. No one could ask for more, and no one could be in any way misled. I won't elaborate beyond that, as otherwise Brad and others have said what needs saying.

[Raphael]

It appears that “winduphere” has deleted all of his posts. Interesting.

As is common throughout the internet chat rooms, people make negative and slanderous comments, but don’t even have the courage to disclose their real name. They hide behind their username and blast away. When called to task for their irregularities, they simply shrink away.

Raphael

[kendphono]

Bump, New Price!