Columbia Grafonola Type 441

[Chitown Slim]

Hi, I'm a new member because I bought a Columbia Grafanola Type 441. Has anyone heard of it? I can't find any info on it while searching the net. I picked it up at an Antiques/Flea Market this weekend. I was looking for something to play the 6 boxes of 78's my husband rescued from out alley last summer. I only see the single cabinet style with the speaker and album storage compartment stacked on top of each other. I'd like to know when this one was made and also what parts to order for it.

The tone arm is broken at the elbow which I've heard is common with this brand so we'll have to replace it. The motor works well and seems well lubricated. We played some records on it until my husband started taking a closer look at things and found the broken arm. The platter needs re-felting and it needs some cleaning and buffing but seems is pretty good shape.

Has anyone seen this model before?

[briankeith]

Did it have legs?

[Chitown Slim]

Yes, it has spindle legs that were removed for transport. I included a photo of the legs. One has a dowel rod inserted. The seller said it was wobbly so he changed it to a dowel to make it stronger. The other legs with original hardware screw into the bottom corners of the cabinet.

[alang]

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I cannot find any information specific to your model 441 either, but based on the fact that it is a console model and it still has the older style Grafonola logo I would date it to 1923, maybe 1924. I have a model 239 from the same year, but your machine looks a bit more upscale. Here is some information about my model 239, there should be some similarities. http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 239#p26743

Looks like your tonearm may be ok, just the elbow is broken. Unfortunately this is the part that breaks most frequently, so lots of people are looking for replacements. Some suppliers make good replication parts, but they are not cheap.

Good luck!
Andreas

[Chitown Slim]

Great photos. Your 239 is beautiful! I like the decorative screen covering the horn. Our models look very similar. Hopefully with some cleanup the cabinet will look nice. Our machine has the automatic shutoff. I'll try to find some of those books you mentioned and see if I can find anything on it. I also do genealogy so maybe I can find some old newspapers on my newspaper website with an advertisement or something as part of my research.

[Uncle Vanya]

Modest-priced machine from the 1924-25 "New Columbia" product line. As I recall this machine sold for either $100 or$125.

[Lucius1958]

It's a Model 540 (introduced 1924); original price $175.00… the number on the decal must be a factory error.

Bill

[marcapra]

Lucius is right. The 441 was a 1924 New Columbia upright model that sold for $165 and had the record ejector system. But your model is the 540 which is a medium priced console at $175 that came in brown mahogany or walnut. Yours is in mahogany. It featured the New Columbia reproducer, a three spring motor, and automatic start and stop. This information can be found in Columbia Phonograph Companion vol. II, the Columbia Disc Phonograph and the Grafonola by Robert W. Baumbach, Stationery X-press, Woodland Hills, CA, 1996, p.220. Good luck on your new Columbia! Marc.

[Chitown Slim]

Wow! Thanks for all the info! I'll have to find the book you referenced Marc. Any idea where that can be found? Specialty libraries? Where is a good place to pick up parts?

[marcapra]

Vol 1 of the Columbia Phonograph Companion is still in print, but it just covers the cylinder machines. Vol. II has been out of print for years. I bought mine from a friend in the CAPS phonograph club. You can try Ebay or one of the used book online sites like ABE or even Amazon.com. If you're in Calif. come to the big phonograph show the second weekend in Aug. The author, Bob Baumbach is always there. He would know. Marc.