Columbia Grafonola Elite

[De Soto Frank]

Great acquisition !

Regarding that reproducer: the corporate herald: "Columbia Phonograph Company, Gen'l" was a transitional moniker, during the late 10's, early Teens... if I remember correctly.

As for "doing the finish correctly", that will require stripping the present finish, using grain-filler on the mahogany, and rubbing-down to a glass-smooth surface, then applying the stain and new shellac.

This machine originally had what is known as a classic "piano finish", which is glass-smooth.


If I were you, I would talk to some of our veteran collector / restorers about the finish and how to restore, and in the meantime, clean and re-lube the mechanicals, rebuild the sound-box, and play it...