The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello! I am hoping someone would be able to help me find out some more information on my new machine. I just bought this Columbia Grafanola at a flea market in Germany and would like to figure out when it was made, etc. I also need help figuring out where I can buy replacement needles. I know different records require different types of needles, but am having trouble finding ones to fit this machine. Obviously, I don't know much about record players!!!! I just really really dont want to buy the wrong needles and scratch my records or ruin the record player. I would appreciate ANY information you all would have to share with me. I have attached a few pictures to help in the identification process. Thank you so much!!!!

Welcome to the forum!

Firstly your machine is a UK built Columbia, so someone needs to move this topic to the UK and European Machines section.

I would date the machine to about 1926, but without a picture showing the outside shape of the lid I cannot identify the model. It could be either the "Small Table Grand" No.117 (oak) or No.118 (mahogany) or the larger "Standard Table Grand" No.119 (oak) or No.120 (mahogany).

Newly manufactured steel needles in various "tones" i.e. Soft, Medium, Loud etc are readily available on eBay, but don't pay fancy prices for period tins unless you want to start collecting them.

There are many threads on this forum covering the subject of needles in great detail.

LauraKate, I would avoid playing that MGM record on your player. If it's a late 78 rpm record, it's probably made out of vinyl, and your machine should only be used to play the earlier "shellac" 78s---IOW, Victor, Columbia, HMV, Brunswick, etc.,etc. AFAIK, MGM records came late to the game and did not produce shellac 78s. But take heart: most 78s should sound really good on your Columbia machine. Get yourself a supply of needles, soft and/or medium tone, and use a fresh needle for each play (never use a steel needle twice!). If the sound box is in good order on your Grafonola, you'll like what you hear.

If it's a UK-issue MGM it will be shellac, unlike the US issues - we got vinyl 78s much later than the US, with only a few labels such as Pye issuing them from maybe 1957/8 or so. Even so, many 50s 78s will sound harsh and strained on that era of machine. Earlier records will sound more agreeable. Admittedly it's hard to tell the age of 78s until a bit of experience builds up - but that's all part of the fun!

Thank you all so much! I will most likely be getting US 33 ⅓ records from my parents that date from the 60's and 70's. The majority opinion is to not play these at all on this machine, then? or can I get a specific needle to make it possible to have a good sound and play them? It would be a shame to not have any records that I can play on this awesome machine!

Kate, Sorry to tell you this, but you cannot play 33 ⅓ rpm records at all on this machine. First of all, this phonograph spins at 78 rpm and even if it did turn at 33 ⅓ rpm, the steel needle would destroy a soft vinyl Lp. Your phonograph is really meant for playing 78s from the 1920s and earlier. Get a modern stereo to play your Lps. Turntables are still available as on Amazon.com.

epigramophone wrote:Welcome to the forum!

Firstly your machine is a UK built Columbia, so someone needs to move this topic to the UK and European Machines section.

I would date the machine to about 1926, but without a picture showing the outside shape of the lid I cannot identify the model. It could be either the "Small Table Grand" No.117 (oak) or No.118 (mahogany) or the larger "Standard Table Grand" No.119 (oak) or No.120 (mahogany).

Newly manufactured steel needles in various "tones" i.e. Soft, Medium, Loud etc are readily available on eBay, but don't pay fancy prices for period tins unless you want to start collecting them.

There are many threads on this forum covering the subject of needles in great detail.

Having seen your latest picture I can now confirm that you have the No.119.

As a long time collector, I can attest to the fact that in the USA,
MGM records WERE made of shellac for at least a year or two, these were
rather gritty, on a par with off-brand labels. These labels usually
omit the words "Metrolite Non-breakable under normal use" They are OK
with steel needles, but they were hissy. The vinyl based pressings
were much better, but not on a par with some of the other vinyl 78's
made later. Same story with the Mercury label 78's.

Where would one find the appropriate records to play on this machine?

LauraKate_3 wrote:Where would one find the appropriate records to play on this machine?

Shellac 78s are very common and can often be found in thrift shops, flea markets, on Craig's List, and by the zillion on eBay. They can be overpriced on eBay, so as a beginner you might want to try the thrift shop route first. Look for records that have no cracks or gouges and avoid those with a gray looking surface (indicating they are worn out). You should be able to pick them up for $1 or less each for common records. Estate sales are another source.

What I did when I began was to purchase lots of them at thrift shops and off Craig's list to experience a wide variety of music from the era to learn what appealed to me, and then began to acquire more pristine examples of the type of music and artists I found that I liked.

Clay