Re: Columbia Grafonola Viva Tonal
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2019 9:08 am
I think Columbias are dropped due to their pot-metal problems on some models, and because there's not so much of a serial number database left. I had to buy some Columbia machines before I really was sold on their excellence.
By the way, there is a big difference between a cheap Columbia and a good one. But even back in 1906 they were making some lovely cylinder Graph-o-phones; I had a Model BK for 2-minute cylinders. The double-spring motor was very quiet and was lubricated by a brass pipe manifold that you dripped oil into the top of, and the spring-loaded Lyric Reproducer (after a bit of alterations) outperformed the Edison Model C on my other cylinder phonographs.
It was unsurpassed in my modest collection for volume & clarity on early wax records.
The Columbia 202 I have is incredibly well-made and I only wish I had gotten one of them first, instead of a Victor Victrola 2-65 portable. I very much enjoyed my Victrola but the old machine had parts made out of cardboard and began crumbling--something I don't see the Columbia doing. "Its voice lives on" because I traded the Victor reproducer for the Grafonola machine but if anyone wants spare parts from a 2-65 Victrola I have some.
Columbias are lovely and their styling is extremely classy. Though I don't see why they sell for cheap, I'm certainly not complaining! Never mind that the earliest models can sound tinny...the Columbia Records were bass-boosted enough and play extremely well on them.
By the way, there is a big difference between a cheap Columbia and a good one. But even back in 1906 they were making some lovely cylinder Graph-o-phones; I had a Model BK for 2-minute cylinders. The double-spring motor was very quiet and was lubricated by a brass pipe manifold that you dripped oil into the top of, and the spring-loaded Lyric Reproducer (after a bit of alterations) outperformed the Edison Model C on my other cylinder phonographs.
It was unsurpassed in my modest collection for volume & clarity on early wax records.
The Columbia 202 I have is incredibly well-made and I only wish I had gotten one of them first, instead of a Victor Victrola 2-65 portable. I very much enjoyed my Victrola but the old machine had parts made out of cardboard and began crumbling--something I don't see the Columbia doing. "Its voice lives on" because I traded the Victor reproducer for the Grafonola machine but if anyone wants spare parts from a 2-65 Victrola I have some.
Columbias are lovely and their styling is extremely classy. Though I don't see why they sell for cheap, I'm certainly not complaining! Never mind that the earliest models can sound tinny...the Columbia Records were bass-boosted enough and play extremely well on them.