Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Anyone know anything about Lynn Bilton in Hartville, Ohio? She (he?) has a very re-finished 810 for sale for $1,400. Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
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- Victor IV
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
I've never heard a bad word about Mr. Bilton. The 810 is certainly BRIGHT!
I would think that a little garnet shellac would tone it down, for otherwise the work looks pretty nice.
Should you know anyone that would be interested, I find myself with TWO of the quite scarce Columbia 800 Viva-Tonal machines, but of course
require but one. The 800 is the same machine as the 810, but is veneered in walnut rather than in mahogany, and lacks the painted trim. I think
that the 800 is scarcer even than the elusive 810, as I've owned or examined 9 or 10 810 machines overt the years but ended up purchasing EVERY
{both} 800 machine which came to my notice!
I would think that a little garnet shellac would tone it down, for otherwise the work looks pretty nice.
Should you know anyone that would be interested, I find myself with TWO of the quite scarce Columbia 800 Viva-Tonal machines, but of course
require but one. The 800 is the same machine as the 810, but is veneered in walnut rather than in mahogany, and lacks the painted trim. I think
that the 800 is scarcer even than the elusive 810, as I've owned or examined 9 or 10 810 machines overt the years but ended up purchasing EVERY
{both} 800 machine which came to my notice!
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- Victor VI
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Unc,
Do you have any photos or images of an 820?
I would also like to vouch for Lynn. He's been in the biz for eons. A real straight-shooter.
Do you have any photos or images of an 820?
I would also like to vouch for Lynn. He's been in the biz for eons. A real straight-shooter.
"All of us have a place in history. Mine is clouds." Richard Brautigan
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- Victor VI
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
I bought items from Lynn, and he is very fair and honest.
Harvey Kravitz
Harvey Kravitz
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- Victor IV
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
JohnM wrote:Unc,
Do you have any photos or images of an 820?
No, I'm afraid that the only picture of the elusive 820 that I ever saw was a line drawing which was printed on a rather
scarce late 1920's record sleeve, one which I believe did not survive the fire.
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- Victor I
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Why do you always talk about that fire

Uncle Vanya wrote:JohnM wrote:Unc,
Do you have any photos or images of an 820?
No, I'm afraid that the only picture of the elusive 820 that I ever saw was a line drawing which was printed on a rather
scarce late 1920's record sleeve, one which I believe did not survive the fire.
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- Victor II
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Uncle Vanya wrote:JohnM wrote:Unc,
Do you have any photos or images of an 820?
No, I'm afraid that the only picture of the elusive 820 that I ever saw was a line drawing which was printed on a rather
scarce late 1920's record sleeve, one which I believe did not survive the fire.
There are some illustrations of an 820 towards the bottom of this page --
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... ?f=2&t=293
(You have to click on the brochure to make it full size.)
HTH,
DS
Last edited by David Spanovich on Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- Victor IV
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Just trying to explain why I can't put my hands on certain items. It was a pretty comprehensive collection which burned.James wrote:Why do you always talk about that fire![]()
Sorry for annoying you by mentioning it.
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- Victor II
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
I know of only one Columbia 820 in existence. Could be more, but they certainly are scarce. I've actually seen this one - it belongs to a famous collector in North Carolina.
Collecting moss, radios and phonos in the mountains of WNC.
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- Victor VI
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Re: Columbia Viva-Tonal 810
Thanks, David S.!
"All of us have a place in history. Mine is clouds." Richard Brautigan