Newbie with a Columbia Grafonola

[bobb]

Hi Guys,

Real Newbie here. I've fooled around with cylinder machines for a bit, but I just got my first disc machine. It's a Columbia but I'm having a hard time putting a model name/number to it. As a Newbie I'm looking forward to picking your brains on this stuff, but you'll have to bear with me if I ask any really stupid questions.

I guess the first thing I should do is learn how to post pics. The FAQ mentioned using a public server to upload pics there. So first silly Newbie question......what are the popular public servers you guys use to upload your pics to? And then once I get them up on the server how do I link to them in a post? Ooops, that's two Newbie questions!

Ok....on to my new phonograph. It's a Columbia table model without a lid that has the tonearm attached to the back of the box. Looking at some old Columbia ads on Ebay it looks to be a Vacation model...but I'm not sure. It has two horizontal shutter doors that open and close on the front, the Graphophone music note decal on the side, 3 needle holders on the plinth, and a complete label on the bottom. Last patent date on the label is 1914 and the cost was $25.

The phono is in pretty good all original condition.....it's finished in mahogany and other than a little veneer peeling on the top of the plinth the wood is in great shape. And I just love that tarnished silver pot metal patina tonearm.

Now I'll start asking for help. The tonearm elbow that attaches to the black cast iron mount at the back of the box has a chunk broken out. It still holds the tonearm just fine, but looks pretty ugly. Reading around online it appears the pot metal elbow cracking is a pretty common problem. There just weren't any solutions posted. Do people cast reproductions of this elbow? Do you guys know where I could get a good used original? I'm also missing one of the four stick pin pads that go under the box at each corner....little round guy with green felt in the middle. Anybody know where I can get a good used original one of those?

Ok....I've got a ton of other questions....but I'll wait 'till later. Thanks for any help you can provide and take care.

regards,
bob

[phonogfp]

Hi Bob, and welcome!

I'll try to answer your questions in order...

Posting photos: This site makes it quite easy. Simply download your digital photos onto your computer - wherever you like to keep them. Then, when you "Post a reply", you'll see a maroon banner beneath the message box. This banner is titled, "Upload attachment." Just click on the "Choose file" button below the banner. A window will pop up showing your computer files. Simply go to where your photo is located, click on it to highlight it, and then click "Open." The file name will then appear where the "Choose file" button was. Click on the "Add the file" button immediately below and to the right, and that's it! One quirk to remember: if you add more than one photo to a posting, the first one you add will be on the bottom; the last one will be on the top, so when posting sequential pages or photos, work backward.

Your Grafonola sounds like a Model 25. This was formerly known as the "Eclipse" when introduced in 1912 at $20. Grafonolas are good machines, but those pot metal tonearms/elbows are their Achilles' Heel. These Grafonolas sold well in their time, and with some looking and patience you'll find one to use as parts. I see them at the Wayne, NJ show in April and October, as well as the Union Illinois show every June. They also pop up at a local flea market and antique shops with some regularity. Check your local Craigslist too.

If your elbow is still serviceable and the missing chunk doesn't show, I'd use it as is - - again, provided it's moving freely. Any resistance to free lateral or vertical movement will cause undue record wear.

I'm not sure what you mean by a "stick pin pad...with green felt in the middle," but hopefully that parts machine you find will have them!

I hope this was somehow helpful. Good luck!

George P.

[1923VictorFan]

Hi Bob and welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie here too so don't feel like you're alone. There is so much combined knowledge amongst the members of this forum that I don't think there is a single question someone here couldn't answer.

[bobb]

Hi George,

Thanks for the reply. I live in Maryland now, but was born and raised in Clifton, NJ....about 10 minutes away from Wayne, NJ. Where in Wayne do they hold the shows and can you tell me the dates of the next one or two?

I'm going to try uploading a few pics. If I'm successful the first two will be pics of my phono, the third will be a pic of the label found on the bottom of the machine, and the forth will be a pic of one of those pushpin feet or scratch protectors found at each corner under the machine.

Here goes.........

thanks,
bob

[bobb]

Ok...the picture posting thing works great! Here's a pic of my broken tonearm elbow.

regards,
bob

[Retrograde]

Mechanical Music Extravaganza Show info

[New Owner]

You probably shouldn't play those post-WW2 records on your Columbia, as they're often made from softer materials and are designed for the lighter magnetic pickups from the '50s. The needle angle looks a little off (although that might just be the angle of the shot). The broken tonearm is due to the pot-metal used by Columbia and most other manufacturers of the period. It has a tendency to freeze, crack, swell, shrink, and crumble with age. I believe there are repairs that can be made for this sorta thing. Otherwise, apart from the need to regrease the motor, it looks pretty good. There sure are a lot of nice "as-found" machines coming up lately!

[bobb]

Hi VV-IV,

I hear what you are saying about that record. It came with the machine, which I got yesterday, but I do understand your warning. I did play the record and man was it LOUD!!! It was almost too loud with the louvers/shutters closed. Your comment about the needle being a bit off is spot on. Look at the pic below and you can see the stylus (maybe the wrong word, but I mean the metal arm that connects the mica to the needle) is actually bent inward. I wasn't sure if it was bent or was supposed to be that way until a few minutes ago when I found an old completed auction for the same reproducer on Ebay and now see it is supposed to be straight.

I'll fix that once I figure out how to get the reproducer off the tonearm....it seems to be a bit stuck right now. Maybe "stuck" is an understatement. I don't want to put much force on it with the tonearm being pot metal, and at this point I don't really understand the mechanism that should allow the reproducer to rotate around the tonearm. I see there is a pin of some sort on the outside edge of the tonearm reproducer mount....but I don't know if it's supposed to go in or out, or if it's spring loaded or not. I expect is drops into detents on the reproducer that fix it's position for playing and maybe pointing the needle up for storage....but I don't know. So until I understand it better I'm going to resist the temptation to try to free up the reproducer so I can disassmble and straighten that needle arm thing. Otherwise with my luck I'll have to start looking for another tonearm too!

If anyone knows any "secrets" for getting my reproducer to spin on the tonearm like it should I'm all ears!! Otherwise I'm thinking a little WD-40 and some time might help, but I don't know what WD will do the gaskets or mica sheet if it gets into the reproducer. Fun stuff for sure....and I'm glad I found you guys for some help!

Thanks,
bob

[New Owner]

The mica looks cracked anyway, and the gaskets are likely dried up and cause the record to sound distorted. These can both be replaced easily, as there are many places like the Victrola Repair Service or Antique Phonograph Supply Co. that offer parts online. While you're at it, some needles will be helpful

I don't think that WD-40 would be a good idea. It's always worth a shot, but that lovely patina effect might disappear in that area.

[bobb]

Hi VV-IV,

Good point about the WD ruining the patina........see...that's why I joined this forum! The mica isn't actually cracked...that's a hair. And the ring around the mica (with the 4 holes) turns easily by hand, so the gaskets may very well be history.

So with the pics posted is this a Model 25?

thanks,
bob