The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Evidently the seller doesn't know this is a Busy Bee, and is no doubt unaware that the base has been re-decaled (except for the Busy Bee decal), and the metal parts have been nickel-plated and polished way beyond what it was originally. But the part that gets me is the mandrel. I've never seen one "restored" quite that way...!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COLUMBIA-AMERIC ... 1261487263

George P.

Well, apparently the bidders aren't aware either

Sean

Are you not aware in the word of speed that lightness is everything. Perhaps the prior owner just wanted to "hot rod" his machine. And note that the pinstriping is the width that would be used on a car. Just a speed freak hiding in the antique phono hobby.
Abe

But... but.... it says in the listing that it's original! It's on the Internets so it must be true! Sadly, as of this point some bidders seem to have bought into it.

Wow. Just, wow.

Would love to see what happens when the seller accidentally drops the reproducer down while the mandrel is spinning. No more stylus! What a terrible, short sighted restoration.

I'm thinking a cyborg mouse got a hold of that cheese.

The edges of the holes look very thick, I wonder if the mandrel was turned from a solid piece of metal? That much brass would be relatively heavy without the holes.

A new title for this thread: "Pimp My Phonograph"

Judging by the end plate which looks heavily pitted before plating perhaps someone was only trying to restore something totally derelect rather than bin it and perhaps the current owner is unaware of its history , you could enlighten them instead of just criticise ! Maybe the restorer just wanted to play some cylinders on an attractive machine !

Perhaps so, but I've found that attempts to "educate" sellers of things that are clearly wrong tends to wind up with nasty responses from them, sadly. I don't bother any longer and I'm sure others here have done the same.

Sean