The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Can anyone on here tell me the models of Columbia phonographs that have, or can have a 5 inch mandrel for the larger cylinders? Thank you, Dave

Hi Dave;

Columbia was king when it came to 5" mandrel phonographs as they had many models to choose from.

Grand Graphophones
Graphophone Grand (GG) was the first model
Home Grand (HG)(two versions) - the later version has a 6-spring motor with a fancy case
AG (Ssme cabinet as the 1st model HG) Early models were the same as the 1st model HG with a nickeled bedplate, while later models had a black-enameled bedplate.)

Combination Grand Graphophones (played both Grand and standard cylinders)
AB - (Similar to a Graphophone model B "Eagle" on a bigger base with a removeable 5" madrel
AF (Same cabinet as 1st model HG and AG, nickel-plated bedplate with removeable 5" mandrel)
AD (Same cabinet as 2nd style HG, similar chassis as AF with removeable 5" mandrel)

I'm not sure what you are looking for specifically, but this is it in a nutshell.

Scott

Thanks Scott. I have an AB McDonald with only the smaller mandrel. Ever since its purchase I have been looking for the larger mandrel. I might even be interested in another of the larger machines as the AB looks like a glorified Q as compared to say the Graphophone Grand that was used for concerts. I was told to be careful about purchasing the 5 in cylinders due to shrinkage as many of them no longer fit the original mandrels. Is that right? Thanks again for the information and I will be looking on ebay for another machine plus a few records. Dave

I think Jean Paul from Quebec Canada may have and sell reproductions. Sorry no Link but someone here may have one. I only have his phone number.

Kevan

Lambert 5" (celluloid) cylinders are notorious for shrinkage but I've never heard of typical brown wax 'Concert' or 'Grand' cylinders shrinking. But they are fragile, prone to mold, can wear easily, and are rather expensive. I've long speculated that one of the reasons the 5" machines aren't more actively sought after is the lack of readily affordable records to play on them.

I highly recommend the modern reproduction 5" cylinders sold by Vulcan Records in the UK. They look and sound like perfect originals but are unbreakable. Unfortunately they aren't cheap (though they're less expensive than most non-moldy originals) and their list of available titles has diminished a bit. I use them all the time on my Graphophone Grand and AB. I still have quite a few original records but ever since I cracked one while putting it on the mandrel I've gotten skittish about playing them. It's bad enough breaking a common black wax cylinder. Ruining a $100+ Concert is really painful.

EDIT to add: here's Jean-Paul's page of parts for sale. He lists the repro AB mandrel at $75. His parts are very high quality. http://www3.sympatico.ca/jean-paul.agna ... uction.htm

Thanks for posting the link Tinfoilphono.
Kevan

HI Dave;

As Rene said, the 5" wax records don't shrink and should be ok to play, but they can be expensive. I am fond of the GraphophoneGrand and am lucky enough to own one as well as an AD. I used to have the AF and fancy-case HG, but have since sold those.

Good luck with obtaining your 5" mandrel.

I sincerely appreciate all of your input on these machines and records. Ever since I started collecting antique phonographs on and off for some 46 years so many have told me to shy away from the grand or concert players due to the scarcity of parts and the expense of the cylinders. I just have a fascination for them and just recently bought my first Ab McDonald.

Have any of you ever seen any original posters or tickets that were sold to audiences in halls for the purpose of entertaining via one of these early machines??? I would really like to see examples of such. I'll bet it was quite an exciting time in history!!

My Grandfather told me over fifty years ago that when they first brought home their Victrola they were in awe of the fact that one could pack an entire orchestra or vaudeville act inside of a two foot square box!!!!!! It was hard for them to grasp!!!

The history of these machines and the part that they played in those early years has always inspired me. I appreciate all of you who know so much about these things, Thank you guys !!! Dave

phonohound wrote:HI Dave;

As Rene said, the 5" wax records don't shrink and should be ok to play, but they can be expensive. I am fond of the GraphophoneGrand and am lucky enough to own one as well as an AD. I used to have the AF and fancy-case HG, but have since sold those.

If they don't shrink, what do you call this?

I have a few cylinders like this one, Edison & Columbia.



Chuck

In 50 years of collecting I've never seen that happen with wax. It proves the old adage: you learn something new every day. Wow.