Info on Columbia Viva-Tonal Grafonola #111

[fruitywarren]

Hi all,
First of all I'd like to say hello to everyone in the forum as I have just joined.
I recently purchased this Columbia Viva-Tonal Grafonola for €160 in Rome, Italy. I am from London England by the way. This is my first gramophone, although I do own a Dansette Major electric portable.
I Just wondered if anyone knows anything about it as I have done some research online but have thus far drawn a blank for this model number(111). I'd really appreciate some info, especially the age. As you can see, it's a very handsome portable, and to my amateur eye, looks to have been recently restored. The sound quality isn't great, but I think that's probably down to the old needles and the poor quality 78 records that came with it. I was thinking of investing in some soft tone ones as it is also too loud as well as being distorted.
Any replies would me most welcome and I thank you in advance.

Chris

[alang]

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum. Congratulations to your new gramophone. Seems to be in great condition. I love the stitched leather case. Columbia Viva-Tonal machine have pretty good sound and especially the older ones are also nice quality.

To your questions: First thing to understand is that steel needles should be used only once and discarded after every play! Old used needles that come with a machine shouldn't be used, because you don't know how often they have been used, they sound awfull and will damage your records. You can get new ones for a few $ per 100 needles. Soft Tone needles are a good choice, they are gentler to records than the thicker Loud needles. Blasting can also be caused by old hardened rubber gaskets in the reproducer (needle head). If you need parts, Ken Priestley is a great resource in the UK.http://www.fonograf.com/

I also have not found much on your specific model, but here is a YouTube video comparing different models including a 111A: http://youtu.be/nDUHRmZIzNM
Here is a site with information about other Columbia portables, may also be helpful: http://www.portable-gramophone.com/colu ... ophones.ws

Enjoy your new machine

Andreas

[fruitywarren]

Thanks a lot Andreas. I'll check out the links.

[epigramophone]

Welcome to the Forum.

The No.111 was a de luxe portable described in the Columbia catalogue as "Brown Cowhide Leather".

The single piece tonearm dates it prior to 1928, when it was superseded by the 111a with the Plano-Reflex tonearm.

The weak point on these Columbias is the moving joint between the tonearm, internal horn and lid stay, which in old age is vulnerable to metal fatigue.

Yours looks OK, but treat it with care.

Enjoy!

[fruitywarren]

Thanks a lot epigramophone. Nice to know it's a good'un.

[Viva-Tonal]

That record on the machine would be 'poor' mainly from being played on a machine like this one....it never should have been. It's from no earlier than the mid-1950s so should only ever be played on modern equipment (post-World War II) that has 78 rpm record capability.