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So far, in my relatively limited experience with Columbia Grafonolas and larger experience with Victrolas, I think the pre-Viva-Tonal Grafonolas are going to have more modest performance, at least in terms of total volume output.

My theory is that this is due to the Columbia machines having smaller diameter taper-tubes, with less "flare" as they get to the horn neck.

Aside from that, with fresh rubber in the soundbox, I think their over-all frequency response is comparable to a Victrola, or any other talking machine with a mica diaphragm.

Now, to compare apples to oranges to peaches, i have a very nice oak Silvertone upright, that is comparable in size and shape to a Victrola XI, and has decent quality Saal hardware, in good repair. This machine is noticeably softer than even my Grafonola Mignonette, let alone a Victrola XI... I think part of this may be due to probably air-leakage at the vertical swing-joint in the taper-tube...

I am a little more concerned about the alleged tracking issues with some Columbia machines that cause more rapid record wear than some other designs... I think this is more of an issue with machines whose taper-tube is mounted in the corner of the motorboard (such as my Columbia "Jewel"), as opposed to the ones with the taper-tube mounted at back-center ( as with a Victrola) .


Your results may vary...

I had a Mignonette too, and it had overwhelming volume. I used to comment to visitors that if it was 1914 and I had $100 to spend on either a Victrola XI or a Mignonette, it would have been no contest. The Mignonette's motor was whisper-quiet, and the turntable rotated steadily (as opposed to the usual Victrola's). And it played like a banshee.

As you say, one's mileage may vary...

George P.

Hmmm... that is indeed interesting...


I have a a 1918 VV-XI in my front hallway with "Fat" arm and #2, and that machine seems fairly robust in terms of output, and I have not experienced a "steady-running problem" with any of my Victrolae...

That said, I have not had the VV-XI and the Mignonette side-by-side for a "good old-fashioned Tone-Test" , in fact, at least half my collection resides away from my home (spouse's orders ), so I may have to actually set-up some comparisons this summer...


I'm not saying I'm disappointed with my Mignonette - it is a sweet machine - I have two other Grafonolae: a "Jewel", which is cute and plucky, and an upright slightly larger than the Mignonette, that I haven't positively ID'd yet - have to get my Columbia Phonograph Companion #2 in the same room with it.

The only real complaints I have against Columbia at this point are: the usual pot-metal issues, and their use in some models of the lead "lozenge" governor weights that I've frequently found decomposing and flaking.


I'm a little curious about your less-than-completely positive experiences with Victrolas... I have generally been of the opinion that it is hard to go wrong with a Victrola...


The only machine that i have been positively, profoundly disappointed in is my Pathéphone VII... but that's a tale for another time.

Cheers,

Frank

Frank,

Uh oh... You're cheating with that XI using a fat arm and a No.2 sound box! I specified 1914!

I should have expressed myself better when I wrote "...the turntable rotated steadily (as opposed to the usual Victrola's)." I didn't mean steady rpm, but turntable "wobble" or variable rim height. A Victrola will often exhibit this eccentricity as the turntable revolves - - just watch the sound box bob up and down. Overall, I'm very happy with Victor quality, and I would highly recommend a Victrola to a beginning collector.

I wouldn't call my experiences with Victrolas "less than completely positive," but I must admit to being a little put off by the very little improvement in the product from around 1910 to 1925.

I too had a Pathéphone VII at one time. I don't recall it being particularly noteworthy in any way - good or bad. However, a flood in 1986 resulted in 4 ½ feet of water in our basement, and ended the existence of that particular Pathéphone, along with about two dozen other machines in various states of disrepair. (We don't live in that town anymore!)

So forgive me if I inadvertently disparaged Victrolas. Despite their flaws (admittedly minor), I like them very much.

George P.

I think there may have been more than a few similarities of mindset between E.R. Johnson and Henry Ford ( kept making Model T's for about 5 to 8 years beyond when people really "wanted" them).

I have occasionally noticed some vertical-runout on turntable platters... mostly on portables...

I was always a little curious that Victor had the drive pin only projecting from the one side of spindle...


At any rate, point taken about the "Fat-arm"... I guess I'll have to put Mignonette up against Senor el Dor Victrola...