The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I know this was a Columbia-made machine and that it had specific platter for playing Standard discs. Was there an optional platter to fit regular-spindle records? Was there an after-market platter offered?

I've never heard of aftermarket adapters available for these, however anything is possible. It is not uncommon to find records that have been drilled to fit the larger Standard spindle. I have also seen examples where the spindle had been turned down to fit ordinary records. I have heard of at least one case where a step was left at the bottom of the spindle so Standard records could be played, and by leaving one Standard on the turntable a regular record could be placed o top of it and played.

Jim

Torjazzer wrote:I know this was a Columbia-made machine and that it had specific platter for playing Standard discs. Was there an optional platter to fit regular-spindle records? Was there an after-market platter offered?

I remember, just to change the big spindle that hold the turntable for the Stanard big hole record to a regular Columbia spindle for regular 78rpm. that spindle gear is interchangeable It was long time ago, I forgot what is the model of the table top Colunbia, that have a compatible gear, though I still have the Standard Model A.

James wrote:
I remember, just to change the big spindle that hold the turntable for the Stanard big hole record to a regular Columbia spindle for regular 78rpm. that spindle gear is interchangeable It was long time ago, I forgot what is the model of the table top Colunbia, that have a compatible gear, though I still have the Standard Model A.

What are your thoughts on the quality of the Standard A? Is it a good machine?

Not sure if there were any conversion turntables offered back in the day, but eBay seller ladanjus sells new turntables to play regular 78s on Standard, Universal, Harmony, etc machines. http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Standard-Tal ... 33888cea43

I think buyers of these client machines were looking for the low price, so I doubt that they would have paid extra for a conversion turntable. That's probably why we find so many that have been modified.

I don't have a Standard A, but some other Columbia client machines. They are not bad, but they are low cost machines with a single spring motor that has to be fully wound for every side. They display well and work for occasional playing, but they are no work horse for hours of play. For that I would try and find at least a 2 spring (better 3 or 4 spring) machine. If money is an issue and you only want to have an external horn machine for the looks and occasional play, this would be a good option. I would get myself a nice upright Victrola for everyday playing in addition. Just my opinion.

Andreas

I had a Harmony at one point and it actually came with 2 original turntables, one for Harmony records, and one for standard 78s.

HisMastersVoice wrote:I had a Harmony at one point and it actually came with 2 original turntables, one for Harmony records, and one for standard 78s.

That is interesting. So someone must have made these as aftermarket, because Harmony for sure did not want you to play other records. It couldn't have been just a regular Columbia turntable, because those have a center hole as far as I know. Does anyone currently have an original such conversion turntable that they would be willing to share a picture of?

Thanks
Andreas

I have one with the regular spindle size. I'm sure it's off another Columbia machine.

I tried to post pictures but it doesn't work

alang wrote:Not sure if there were any conversion turntables offered back in the day, but eBay seller ladanjus sells new turntables to play regular 78s on Standard, Universal, Harmony, etc machines. http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-Standard-Tal ... 33888cea43
If money is an issue and you only want to have an external horn machine for the looks and occasional play, this would be a good option. I would get myself a nice upright Victrola for everyday playing in addition. Just my opinion.

Andreas

That's a very interesting turntable on Ebay. Thanks for the heads-up. My main interest in the Standard machine was to further round out my collection. I have a number of upright Victors and tabletop machines and this Standard would really stand out. As you say, it does display rather well.

Torjazzer wrote:I know this was a Columbia-made machine and that it had specific platter for playing Standard discs. Was there an optional platter to fit regular-spindle records? Was there an after-market platter offered?

A Standard-A was one of my earliest buys, so forgive me the following: I carefully ground off the top portion of its fat spindle, so that a Standard Record could sit on the turntable with a "regular" 78 on top. An extra-thick rubber turntable mat serves as a SR, too.