Unknown machine

[antique1973]

Any idea what this is? Looks like it should have legs.

[gramophoneshane]

Frankenphone....unless it's a Japanese Columbia from the early 30s.

[epigramophone]

There are certainly some (British) Columbia components here.

The Plano-Reflex tonearm and No.9 soundbox shown on this machine were introduced for the 1929 season, and the autobrake also looks like a Columbia design, but I do not recognise the cabinet.

The Plano-Reflex system was based on the mistaken belief that sound waves behave in the same way as light beams. Columbia described the results as "straight line reproduction". Nevertheless, the sound quality of the examples which I have seen and heard is surprisingly good.

I attach a diagram taken from the 1929 Columbia catalogue. My copy is not an original, so the resolution is not as clear as I would like.

[estott]

I think it's a Japanese Columbia Viva-Tonal

[transformingArt]

This is a Japanese Columbia Model 116 from mid-30s. It is a table-top model, so there's nothing missing on the cabinet. (There were really very, very few Japanese machines with big cabinets)

Here's the photo of one Model 116 with a better condition.

[antique1973]

That's great info everyone, thanks a lot! I would have never guessed it was
a Columbia or Japanese for that matter.

[epigramophone]

Your machine is well worth restoring, and to encourage you, here is a label which would look good on the turntable :

[syncopeter]

It\s similir in size to HMVs model 130, probably even a offshoot of it, and when restored it should sound great. The Columbia soundbox was slightly superior and HMV later adopted it as their own model 16.