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Out of curiosity, I just looked up the Nonpareil in the Baumbach book, and this one has a peculiarity relative to the entries there: the early models looked like this cabinet in lacking carvings but had doors, not louvers, and Baumbach specifically refers to that design as a common feature of 1911 machines; the later models did sport louvers, but the ones shown are vertical, not horizontal, and the cabinets are treated to a bunch of decorative carvings/mouldings. The slightly later Regal and Alhambra are shown with horizontal louvers like the ones on this machine, but of course their cabinets are nothing like this otherwise, being of the "tabletop on stilts" design. Baumbach goes out of his way to state that the later version Nonpareil had the four needle cups and the no. 6 reproducer but is silent on both subjects regarding the earlier version. As to the raised platform for the turntable, it's clearly visible in the book's picture of an early model but appears to be missing in that of the later one. Could the machine under discussion be some sort of short-lived variant transitional between what Baumbach shows as "early" and "late"?

drh wrote:Out of curiosity, I just looked up the Nonpareil in the Baumbach book, and this one has a peculiarity relative to the entries there: the early models looked like this cabinet in lacking carvings but had doors, not louvers, and Baumbach specifically refers to that design as a common feature of 1911 machines; the later models did sport louvers, but the ones shown are vertical, not horizontal, and the cabinets are treated to a bunch of decorative carvings/mouldings. The slightly later Regal and Alhambra are shown with horizontal louvers like the ones on this machine, but of course their cabinets are nothing like this otherwise, being of the "tabletop on stilts" design. Baumbach goes out of his way to state that the later version Nonpareil had the four needle cups and the no. 6 reproducer but is silent on both subjects regarding the earlier version. As to the raised platform for the turntable, it's clearly visible in the book's picture of an early model but appears to be missing in that of the later one. Could the machine under discussion be some sort of short-lived variant transitional between what Baumbach shows as "early" and "late"?

That’s really interesting!also if it helps this machine does have the no.6 reproducer.

audiophile102 wrote:I don't think that there are many who would pass it up for a paltry $60. My advise for the paper record holders is to preserve them separately. The paper will only fall apart if you use it. I keep every item I found with my machines, because I think it's cool.

I dont like keeping records in my machines actually. I was planning on just leaving them as is without records in them.

I just got the machine. I had just enough time i between classes to go get it


I had just enough time to make a quick video of it. The speaker slats are in rough shape, the cabinet is reallt dirty , and the wood is cracked in multiple places. Nice 4 spring motor, but needs a thorough cleaning.

Here’s a quick video!

The number on the inside door behind the horn is 410. So I’m not sure where this put the machine as far as early/middle/late.

Neat find! Hey, per the previous posts and discussion, I figured I would upload a picture of one my Grafonolas that I found about a year or so ago. Yes... I don't buy just Granbys

Check out the early doors....

Very nice machine!!

I want to replace that felt. Should I get the dark purple felt? Or would it be incorrect for my machine?

Great question... maybe wishful thinking, but I was hoping my machine was, more or less, original - including that felt color. I will let some others add some input though on whether that is right.

Also, I agree with the previous poster that the original poster's machine is a transitional piece caught right in the middle of the old cabinet design before conversion to the new/updated product line. My research shows other brands would do similar things... (although not on the scale of a large operation like Columbia).

I will be at my shop tomorrow and can grab some more detailed and closer pix of anybody needs them for comparison.

This is on the bottom of the cabinet. Not sure if this helps at all

dzavracky wrote:Very nice machine!!

I want to replace that felt. Should I get the dark purple felt? Or would it be incorrect for my machine?

Just my opinion... I like the purple felt, if you can get a dark purple...

This might work: https://www.amazon.com/Nu-Source-Inc-Pr ... r=8-8&th=1

Here some pics of the cabinet

Looks to me like someone put a really glossy thick finish on the lid. Any suggestions for reviving the finish on the cabinet?

What about the speaker slats? They are in really rough shape

Were Columbia governor weights painted white?