Newbie Needs Help

[RDGCrusader]

"Is it that you have some strange aversion to a "used" one"

Oh no, not at all. I know there are plenty of original portables and tabletops out there, but I wanted to get an outside-horn model. However, I don't have an extra thousand dollars I could spend on an original, so I had to look for a gramophone in my price range, which consequently would be a reproduction.

Hi Colin:

I started out in the hobby in Minnesota over 30 years ago, when I was a mere tot (20), and began by collecting cheap portables--everyone I could find. From there, I swapped two for one to get better quality models, and eventually worked my way up to a couple of cabinet models and about a dozen portables. Then, I moved cross-country to Washington DC, and sold or gave away everything and started fresh, acquiring a couple of cabinet style Victrolas, and a few portables. About five years later, and another cross-country move to the West Coast, I sold everything again, and landed in my new home with a couple of boxes of records, and nothing to play them with.

Within about six months, I acquired a single VV-2-55 portable, and a year later, a Consolette. It was at that time--circa 1988--that an out of town job-related acquaintance stopped over and noticed my machines and interest in antique phonographs. She said that she had one that she wanted to get rid of. It had been damaged when a former boyfriend of her's had thrown it against a wall, and the case had broken apart. She put it in the cellar where it languished for five years. The crank handle, in fact, had been partially chewed away by a rat. Not knowing what it was, other than the fact that it had an "outside horn," I agreed to take it--for free--as a fixer-upper. (She shipped it to me--her expense.)

After a about a $200 investment for motor repairs, etc., and a hell of a lot of gluing, French Polishing, and swearing, here's the final result:


Victor V


So, you never know what may come your way. Since you're just starting out in the hobby, spread the word among your friends and co-workers, etc. They may have something with your name on it sitting in their attics or cellars.

In the meantime, keep checking craigslist. I've seen a number of Columbia models over the years priced in $400-500 range. For whatever reason, they do not attract the following that Victor products do.

for instance -- http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/atq/2685105760.html

Columbia Disc Graphophone.JPG

Columbia Phonograph listed at $500 -- Miami Craigslist (Phone 954-790-1515 )

DS

(I apologize for the big quote)
Oh wow she's beautiful. The Colombia is very nice as well. I guess its the same when collecting anything rare or antique: You just have to keep looking and eventually you'll find what you're looking for.

[VintageTechnologies]

It had been damaged when a former boyfriend of her's had thrown it against a wall, and the case had broken apart.

Ouch! That is a pretty good reason to discard a boyfriend. It sounds like someone had anger management issues.

[gramophoneshane]

[for instance -- http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/atq/2685105760.html

Columbia Disc Graphophone.JPG

Columbia Phonograph listed at $500 -- Miami Craigslist (Phone 954-790-1515 )

DS

From what I've read here & on other forums, those Columbias would do more damage to records than a crapophone

[David Spanovich]

... From what I've read here & on other forums, those Columbias would do more damage to records than a crapophone

I've heard that too, but only about the internal horn models, and have wondered if this is specific to the bayonet tonearm, which is often in not the best condition, and can drag in spots unless thoroughly overhauled. (And only thoroughly overhauled if it doesn't crack apart in the process!)

I have to confess, the only Columbia model I've ever owned is the Viva Tonal 160 portable -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBrLShsLg8Y -- and wouldn't mind having another, one day.

DS

[New Owner]

Within about six months, I acquired a single VV-2-55 portable, and a year later, a Consolette. It was at that time--circa 1988--that an out of town job-related acquaintance stopped over and noticed my machines and interest in antique phonographs. She said that she had one that she wanted to get rid of. It had been damaged when a former boyfriend of her's had thrown it against a wall, and the case had broken apart. She put it in the cellar where it languished for five years. The crank handle, in fact, had been partially chewed away by a rat. Not knowing what it was, other than the fact that it had an "outside horn," I agreed to take it--for free--as a fixer-upper. (She shipped it to me--her expense.)

How on earth could he throw it against a wall? Those things are pretty heavy!

But, as for a cheap external horn machine, they can turn up, albeit in poor condition with parts missing and/or broken components, on eBay or craigslist for only a couple hundred dollars. Many horn machines were relegated to spare rooms/attics/cellars/barns in the '10s and '20s when internal horn phonographs become stylish and affordable.

For example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE ... 0703607110
If you can find the crank, bracket, horn, and tonearm, as well as fix it up, you have a fairly nice, as well as rare outside horn phonograph. Not sure how often parts for Busy Bee phonographs turn up, but I'm sure they're out there. (Note: Most Busy Bee phonographs were designed to play records with a larger hole/extra bracket to get around the patents controlled by Victor and Columbia, but this one's been modified to play normal '78s).

The completed result will go from this:

to this:


Think of it like buying a classic car that's a junker, and restoring it to a beauty.