The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

fran604g wrote:

Jerry B. wrote:In addition to wonderful photos, accurate and informative information, there is an estimate of values in George and Tim's books. The Columbia BO shown in their "Talking Machine Compendium" with a painted metal horn was valued at $1800. Of course you have to remember that markets change and there has been some time since the book was published, but that's a good start. All of Tim and George's books are a wealth of knowledge and candy to your eyes. Jerry Blais

Yes, I am nearly finished with "The Taking Machine", 2nd Ed., and then I am on to another for more...I can't get enough of this.

ChuckA wrote:Fran,

The Columbia tone arm machines are very interesting machines. I posted this picture of the 6 models in my collection

From Top left:

BET_________BFT__________BGT
BKT_________BVT__________BQ



The BO you have selected to acquire is probably the hardest to find, as you can it is on my want list also.

The BGT is a stunning machine with the mahogany case,nickel plated mechanism and nickel horn, they are elegant
with the mahogany horn.
The most common models are the BKT and BET, with the BET coming out on top for style. They are also the models most likely to have the 2/4 minute conversion on. The BQ and BO don't have the "T" in the model name as they were only available with a tone arm.
There are two versions of the BVT, one used a bolted on tone arm assembly, the other used a removable tonearm assembly that was held on to the machine by a thumbscrew and anchor bar.


Chuck

Phonofreak wrote:Chuck,
Do you have both versions of the BVT? Mine has the slip in elbow. When you remove the elbow, the arm assembly comes out. If you have both versions, can you post a picture of the variations? Mine doesn't have the Columbia decal like yours. Mine is the Sears Oxford model.
Harvey Kravitz

phonogfp wrote:

fran604g wrote:

Jerry B. wrote:In addition to wonderful photos, accurate and informative information, there is an estimate of values in George and Tim's books. The Columbia BO shown in their "Talking Machine Compendium" with a painted metal horn was valued at $1800. Of course you have to remember that markets change and there has been some time since the book was published, but that's a good start. All of Tim and George's books are a wealth of knowledge and candy to your eyes. Jerry Blais

Yes, I am nearly finished with "The Taking Machine", 2nd Ed., and then I am on to another for more...I can't get enough of this.

Just reading these posts is a Christmas present for me!

George P.

fran604g wrote: Well, for sure there are two more books right off the top of my head that I will be purchasing very soon! Any preference where I should get them? Is Tim down south yet? I've wanted to hook up with him for years, and never seem to get a round tuit.

phonogfp wrote:

fran604g wrote: Well, for sure there are two more books right off the top of my head that I will be purchasing very soon! Any preference where I should get them? Is Tim down south yet? I've wanted to hook up with him for years, and never seem to get a round tuit.

Well, I always recommend my friends and family to get their phonograph books from George F. Paul!

(In your case, since you live only about 17 miles away, he can save you the shipping too!)

Send me a PM or an email when you're ready and I'll be happy to oblige.

George P.

OrthoSean wrote:I just bought a super clean original BET and BKT at a pretty large machine auction in September, for what it's worth, I paid $950 for the BET with a nickel horn and $800 for the BKT. I think I did well, both machines look, play and function as well as can be, but both have that "universal" stylus spoken of before. The BET plays 2 minute Indestructibles and Lamberts great, the BKT needs some attention to the reproducer. I mentioned this to Steve Medved awhile back when I'd first gotten both machines. I don't want to make them both 4 minute only machines by changing the styli, his suggestion was putting an "H" stylus bar and stylus in each one, but I'd really like the BET to be a 2 minute machine if I had to choose. Neat to see your machines, Chuck, it conforms that my BKT has the correct black painted horn on it!

Sean