The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Why would you want to change this into something it was never intended to be? My advice is leave it alone and appreciate it for what it is. Otherwise, no matter how nice a job you do, it will be a cobbled machine of lesser value and a ruined piece of history. Why must "collectors" buy something for its historical and unique qualities.... then change it into something different?

I know some will disagree.

Some of us are tinkerers too...


I would not advocate making irrevocable changes to a machine, but if there small improvements that can be made, why not ?

De Soto Frank wrote:I would not advocate making irrevocable changes to a machine, but if there small improvements that can be made, why not ?

I agree, if you can make an improvement that will help tracking errors and resultant record wear, what's the harm? That said, as has already been noted, Columbias (grafonolas and outside horn disc machines) tend to be rough on records to begin with and I don't think much could be done to improve anything there. The two I own are mainly dispayed and rarely played.

Sean

JerryVan wrote:Why would you want to change this into something it was never intended to be? My advice is leave it alone and appreciate it for what it is. Otherwise, no matter how nice a job you do, it will be a cobbled machine of lesser value and a ruined piece of history. Why must "collectors" buy something for its historical and unique qualities.... then change it into something different?

I know some will disagree.

JerryVan,
Sorry, but I don't appreciate your comments. I do not wish to be lumped into a group of "collectors" who don't understand and appreciate the historical importance of their phonographs. If you ever had the opportunity to be in my home and see what I have done with what I have here, you would understand my displeasure with what you have suggested.

Mike

Adjusting the tracking angle sounds like a good idea to me, I did something similar to that last year with my Victrola arm: (http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =7&t=13306)

If you can do this without permanently altering the arm then by all means give it a try! I don't see how a reversible modification that doesn't damage the original parts and helps to preserve records deserves to be called "a cobbled machine of lesser value and a ruined piece of history".

Player-Tone wrote:Adjusting the tracking angle sounds like a good idea to me, I did something similar to that last year with my Victrola arm: (http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =7&t=13306)

If you can do this without permanently altering the arm then by all means give it a try! I don't see how a reversible modification that doesn't damage the original parts and helps to preserve records deserves to be called "a cobbled machine of lesser value and a ruined piece of history".

True: the fact remains, though, that these modifications are far harder to do on a Columbia arm…

Bill

I reread JerryVan's comments and believe they were respectfully stated and I personally don't disagree with him. A modification that is easily reversed is fine but I'll always prefer original. Jerry Blais

And I will certainly agree that the Columbia attachment system does NOT lend itself to "kit-bashing", as the model railroaders call it...

Jerry B. wrote:I reread JerryVan's comments and believe they were respectfully stated and I personally don't disagree with him. A modification that is easily reversed is fine but I'll always prefer original. Jerry Blais

Jerry B.,

Thanks. Yes, I did mean for my comments to be respectfully stated. I too think any reversible change would be fine.

If you break the joint on the Columbia arm, it can be repaired. I know Shenendoah Restorations does work on these.

Also, I have a E-5 upright, I would love to sell. It has a rebuilt reproducer, 3 spring motor. But a cabinet that never could be refinished. I tried everything on it. It is ugly dark brown eww...

As far a good beautiful upright, thats my Magnola.