The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Posted: **Thu Apr 27, 2017 4:01 am**

OrthoFan wrote:
Lucius1958 wrote:Another point I might add is that this Columbia is definitely not a 'Viva-tonal'. The straight tone arm, and the louvers in front, are a dead giveaway.

Bill
Hi Bill:

The British Viva Tonal models were very different from those produced in the US -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4dZVTfwzqs (This is the one Soundgen posted)

Here's a close-up screen capture of the Viva-Tonal logo from the video --
Capture.JPG
The straight tonearm was coupled with a metal bifurcated horn, hidden behind the louvers:

Capture2.JPG
I believe the earlier British Viva-Tonal 153 models had the straight tonearm, and later ones were fitted with the "Plano-Reflex" style arm. (I've seen photos of the same model with both style tonearms.)

HTH,
OrthoFan

Thanks for the clarification. I had based my judgment on US models...

Bill

Posted: **Thu May 04, 2017 1:26 pm**

Thank you all for the very useful suggestions. I am waiting for new needles to arrive and I will update my post once I try them out.
Also the person I purchased it from mentioned that the gramophone was British made. It reads as Columbia viva tonal near the top lid part and 153 is etched near the record holding part. I apologize but I am very new to this to use the right technical terms for the parts.
Thank you all very much.

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