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Something does not look right with this machine....

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ ... 41201.html

The seller of this machine is absolutely correct in his description. This is the H&S version of the Aretino. These are quite scarce. The price is very reasonable, if not a steal. If I lived in that area, i would snatch it up in a heartbeat. Harvey Kravitz

Thanks Harvey. Its too last for me to give the man a call but I'll give him a call in the morning see what the status is. The last two machines I called on were history within hours of posting.

I have a question regarding these "odd-spindle machines", especially things like the "Harmony" and "Aretino": is the large center hub part of the platter, or part of the actual spindle ?

Since many of these were contract-supplied by Columbia, I am wondering if it would be possible to swap a standard platter and play "normal" ¼" hole discs ?

(Sorry to raise such an heretical question... )

It's part of the platter.

Here are pics of my Aretino front mount turntable. The top center is stamped steel and is hollow. I have seen others which were solid. The underside has a brass fitting that slides over the motor shaft.

Go to http://www.theedisonshop.com/CESAretino-V3.html to see the motor shaft.

Steve

Contacted the owner of this machine and the only time I have to go see it is Saturday, of course by that time it will be history probably.

One question about the horn and where it attaches----I cannot find a picture of this particular back mount model anywhere. The arrangement looks a bit crude. Anyway hope it will still be there. Cheers

Hope you have a shot at it, dutchman !

Excellent entry-pice to own an external-horn disc machine!

Good Luck !

The Columbia made Aretino turn table will not work on the other odd spindle machines. The reason is that the turn table fits on a straight shaft with a cross pin like a Victor. Why Columbia did this, I really don't know. Other Columbia odd spindle machines had a conical shaped pin on the shaft. Any odd spindle turn table such as Standard, Harmony, and United will fit. It will not fit on a typical Columbia because the odd spindle will block the normal spindle of the Columbia. The Aretino is left on it's own unless you can find a suitable turn table to fit it. I wouldn't recommend modifying these parts. I hope this answers your question. From what I can see in the pictures, everything is correct on this Aretino. If you get it, I'm sure you can correct the droopy horn or some one in the forum can help. Good luck and I hope you get the machine.
Harvey Kravitz

De Soto Frank wrote:I have a question regarding these "odd-spindle machines", especially things like the "Harmony" and "Aretino": is the large center hub part of the platter, or part of the actual spindle ?

Since many of these were contract-supplied by Columbia, I am wondering if it would be possible to swap a standard platter and play "normal" ¼" hole discs ?

(Sorry to raise such an heretical question... )

I don't believe this particular Aretino was manufactured by American Graphophone, but rather by Hawthorne & Sheble.

George P.

Well the Aretino is sitting on the dining room table in all its glory. It needs some minor polishing but is in nice condition as is. The horn joint in ok, just was not pushed all the way in. Plays through the record nicely. All I need is the thumb screw to hold the needle (has part of a toothpick holding the needle which worked nice for demo purposes). Time for a note to George V for the thumb screw.

Photos added