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Hello!

Apart from hystorical coherence between reproducer and machine, do you think that these reproducers are interchangeabile?
Are there some substancial differences among these items? For example, 1913 (No.6) is better than 1911? - or than 1923?

Thank you.

For the sake of hystorical incoherence, I'm looking forward to responses to your query. My Columbia Ideal, which has been in my life for nearly 45 years, has the top-right reproducer from 1911. Unlike most Columbia reproducers, it has a rubber backflange sandwiched between the reproducer body and the connector plate; earlier this year, the splendid Wyatt Markus fabricated a new flange to replace the dessicated, shrunken original. Rebuilt, it sounds quite nice. I take wanton delight in switching various reproducers around on my Victor machines, but this thing seems an integral part of the Ideal. Nevertheless, I don't have other Columbia disc machines, and have wondered whether there is, in fact, any level of interchangeability -- so far as this one is concerned, I'm inclined to think not.

The chart that was posted was very informative. I know the first 6 reproducers were interchangeable on Columbia machines with the bayonet fitting. I'm not familiar with the others shown below. Columbia reproducers were quite loud because of the larger diaphragm. Some owners did upgrade to a newer reproducer like owners of other brands of phonographs. Personally, I like to have the right reproducer to the right era of the machine, like the example of the Columbia Ideal.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:...the first 6 reproducers were interchangeable on Columbia machines with the bayonet fitting...

How can I pull the "1911" reproducer from my tonearm? I've a "no. 6" reproducer that I would try on my BNW.
Thanks!

Post a picture of it in the arm , Columbia soundboxes in the UK can have at least 6 different back fittings ! One would assume that as the soundboxes developed the sound would improve or what would be the point of changing the design ?

These are two photos of reproducer while rotates. Connection with tonearm presents a "pin" that switches through two positions; its length changes as reproducer is in resting or playing position (left photo) or while rotates (right photo).

doublemike wrote:These are two photos of reproducer while rotates. Connection with tonearm presents a "pin" that switches through two positions; its length changes as reproducer is in resting or playing position (left photo) or while rotates (right photo).

Is that a Columbia soundbox ? What is the front like any chance of a picture ?

doublemike wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:...the first 6 reproducers were interchangeable on Columbia machines with the bayonet fitting...

How can I pull the "1911" reproducer from my tonearm? I've a "no. 6" reproducer that I would try on my BNW.
Thanks!

Turn the reproducer so the needle chuck is facing back along the tonearm: that should engage the notch that will allow you to remove it.

Bill

This is the front of my reproducer.

Bill, thanks for your suggestion: I pulled the reproducer!
But I couldn't insert my "no. 6"... its fitting seems a little more bigger than "1911"
I'll insert a photo as soon as possible.