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Hi all,

Well, barring the unexpected it looks like I am going to be acquiring a circa 1926 Columbia 710 Viva-Tonal in coming days. (Where I am going to put it, heaven only knows, but that is another story).

As you may know they have a Columbia #15 reproducer. I understand that an issue with reproducer rebuilds for them is trying to find a good replacement for the rubber mount/isolator on the back. Does anybody know of anybody making good replacements for those?

Clay

FloridaClay wrote:Hi all,

Well, barring the unexpected it looks like I am going to be acquiring a circa 1926 Columbia 710 Viva-Tonal in coming days. (Where I am going to put it, heaven only knows, but that is another story).

As you may know they have a Columbia #15 reproducer. I understand that an issue with reproducer rebuilds for them is trying to find a good replacement for the rubber mount/isolator on the back. Does anybody know of anybody making good replacements for those?

Clay

Congratulations, there is an Columbia 810 near me that I want to buy, he is going to sell it, but he do not tell me the price, he want me to offer, I don't know the reasonable price. Can somebody suggest a decent offer.

Thanks,
Jim

It depends like every thing antique, on the condition. The Columbia 810 is big, even a bit bigger than a Victrola Credenza, so not a lot of people want to buy it. I just paid $500 for an 800 walnut model in pretty good condition. It did need some work, but the sound is fine. If it is complete and in good working condition with a good cabinet, I would start at about $300 as an offer. Price also depends on location. Where are you located?

My original question was about Columbia #15 reproducer parts. Does anybody have relevant information?

"I understand that an issue with reproducer rebuilds for them is trying to find a good replacement for the rubber mount/isolator on the back. Does anybody know of anybody making good replacements for those?"

I have tried my usual go-to guy, George Vollema, and he says he doesn't know of any, but gets calls for them several times a year.

Clay

FloridaClay wrote:My original question was about Columbia #15 reproducer parts. Does anybody have relevant information?

Only that someone on here rebuilt an insulating ring, using various spacers and washers. I can't find the original post, but it was about a year ago, from memory. I've had various attempts at making new ones, using silicone sealer, moulding rubber, etc, but have never been satisfied with the result. I need about six.
I find that hardness is not the major problem, it's distortion of the rubber. The insulating ring is attached to the backing plate with three screws, and another three screws into the back of the soundbox. The insulators were originally glued to both the back of the soundbox, and the backing plate, but over the years, the glue has dried up and failed. If the soundbox is pulled forward i.e. when using an automatic brake, it distorts the insulator as it pulls against the screws. Repeatedly doing this results in the insulator being permanantly distorted, thus breaking the airtight seal, with a resultant loss of sound quality.

Barry

Thanks Barry. Helpful.

Clay

I made one before by clamping both sides together, making sure the screws line up with the holes. Then I filled it with RTV Silicone (available in black, white, and red), let it harden, and then cut off the excess around and in the middle hole. Works and holds the whole thing together, but is obviously a one off. I would be interested in proper replacements as well.
Andreas

Phono48 wrote:

FloridaClay wrote:My original question was about Columbia #15 reproducer parts. Does anybody have relevant information?

Only that someone on here rebuilt an insulating ring, using various spacers and washers. I can't find the original post, but it was about a year ago, from memory. I've had various attempts at making new ones, using silicone sealer, moulding rubber, etc, but have never been satisfied with the result. I need about six.
I find that hardness is not the major problem, it's distortion of the rubber. The insulating ring is attached to the backing plate with three screws, and another three screws into the back of the soundbox. The insulators were originally glued to both the back of the soundbox, and the backing plate, but over the years, the glue has dried up and failed. If the soundbox is pulled forward i.e. when using an automatic brake, it distorts the insulator as it pulls against the screws. Repeatedly doing this results in the insulator being permanantly distorted, thus breaking the airtight seal, with a resultant loss of sound quality.

Barry

This may be the post by Uncle Vanya that Barry was thinking about:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... bia#p74398

You may be lucky if the isolator is simply a bit dried up and/or distorted but still pliable like mine was. In the end I used a bit of silicone sealer and it seemed to work fine.
Good luck with your new treasure!
Bob

That is indeed the post I was thinking of. Thanks, Bob.

Barry

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