Columbia Grafonola Info needed

[EricB]

Hello,

I have Grafonola I'd like to identify and get an idea if it's worth my effort to restore.

I'm thinking it's from the early 20's "In Period" series but I have no references.

The bottom of the cabinet is stamped "1C 38776" and the seat board for the motor is stamped "A505."

The tone arm seized into the bottom flange and the flange has broken away from the cabinet.

Believe it or not, it still works!

Here are some pictures.

Thanks in advance,

Eric

[EFearing]

Just saw your pics of the disassembled Columbia. Went to my Columbia Phonograph Companion Vol II and found it. It is a model 239 introduced in 1924, original price was $100. This was deemed a "low cost console model" In 1924 Columbia revamped their line, calling the the New Columbias, Hope this info helps. Ed

[EricB]

Ed,

Thanks for the information! Too bad it didn't hold it's value. Anyway, I paid $1.25 for this machine.

I get the impression from what I've found elsewhere online that it isn't collectable, so should I scrap it and use the case for kindling, or should I make it whole again?

I understand that parts are often worth more than the complete machines.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Eric

[m0xiemama]

It looks to me like the pricey parts are all there. If the motor runs and you like the looks of the machine I'd put the time in. If it were mine, I would happily put the work into it. I have a Grafonola which I like very much despite others complaints about the pot metal. I guess it really depends on how much spare time you have whether it would be worth it to you. If not, throw it on Craigslist for $30 or something. You will make a profit and someone will save it. That is how I got my Rishell.

[mattrx]

I am certainly no expert, however, if it were mine, I'd fix it and move it on Craigslist or Ebay. I like the looks of the Columbias, but the pot metal is not my favorite aspect. The last one I bought, I fixed it up and sold it on eBay. It went fast and the buyer is happy, so I am too. Just my opinion.

The guy that bought mine really likes Columbias. He joined the forum as Norfolkguy. He might be interested in your machine.

Matt

[alang]

I have the slightly earlier version of the same machine from 1923. As far as I know the only difference is that mine has a regular instead of a sliding door in front of the horn. I love the machine, it is the first thing you see when you enter my house. My wife likes the decorative side of it.

If you like how it looks you should restore it fo yourself, but with broken tonearm and flange you will have to invest some money (and a lot of work of course). I would not do it for profit, because you may or may not be able to sell it and you will never recoup the work you put into it. I restored many basket cases, but I still have all of them. Since you don't have any money invested in it so far I still think it would be worth fixing for yourself. Don't expect big profit though.

Should you decide to part it out, please contact me before throwing away anything. There are several parts I could use, especially the little square decorative moldings on the front of the cabinet. But don't let this affect your decision, just wanted to let you know that you could make a few bucks from the parts as well.

JMO
Andreas

[estott]

It sounds as if you are saying that the tone arm has seized in the flange, and flange has come loose from the board, but the metal has not broken? If this is true you can give a try at getting the arm apart. Sometimes a little oil and warmth will work (remember to remove the screw holding the arm in the flange) and sometimes putting the whole arm in the freezer has results. If you can get the pieces separated you can use a file and emery paper to make them fit properly. If all the case pieces are there and nothing is badly damaged you should make a try at getting it back together.

[Norfolkguy]

Matt is right, I do love Columbia's. If it were near me, or were it possible to ship, I'd love to have that model. It could be a real beauty.

[EricB]

Thanks for all the input!

I've had this machine for about three years so no decision will come soon. I don't have the skills to repair the cabinet at this time. In the areas where it was protected the finish is quite nice looking, just dirty.

I also don't like the idea of breaking it up and parting it out. I was thinking I'd saved it from the landfill.

The flange for the arm is broken and the section that rotates inside of it is visibly deformed. At some point I guess the tone arm seized up and the owner forced it and broke the flange. They drilled another hole in it and screwed it back down. I think the motor might have had the auto-stop, but the levers, etc., for that are gone too. Probably not the easiest things to find.

The motor springs need serviced, but the fiber gear for the governor seems to be ok.

Is there a reference that details how these old Columbia machines work?

Here are a couple more pictures.

Eric

[alang]

Hi Eric,

good decision. As I said, I have the earlier model and I love both the looks and sound of it. It also has a pretty strong triple spring motor, so you won't have to wind it for every single record. Here is a link to an earlier thread with pictures of my machine: http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=4881

It looks like only the base is broken, not the actual tonearm or elbow? If that's the case you are lucky, because you may still have a chance to separate them using the freezer method that estott described. I am not aware of a specific reference for Columbia motors, but you can find a generic Columbia user manual here http://www.nipperhead.com/old/colgraf.htm.

A great reference for all kinds of phonograph repairs and an overall great resource is the book "The Compleat Talking Machine" by Eric Reiss for about $20 at amazon.

Good luck!
Andreas