The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Everyone

A friend of mine donated this to me. I have found a new reproducer and it sounds a million dollars.

I want to restore the cloth which covers the horn behind the louvres. Just fit a new one. But I have no idea how to pull it apart to get to the frame which the cloth is mounted on. Any thoughts? I did a hunt of the forums but couldn't find any advice.

Cheers,
Justin.

Hi Justin,

That looks like a nice example you have there... looks like it might be a "Mignonette" or one of its alpha-numeric descendants.

Is there a model number under the lid decal, at the bottom-center ?


Also, can you provide a picture of the record-storage area with the doors open ?

These are nice machines... I have a Mignonette, a Non-Pareil, and an E-2...


I am not aware of Columbia machines having grille-cloth, aside from the Viva-Tonal models.


All my Grafonolas are un-restored, and I have found no evidence of grille cloth on them...

Congratulations !

I agree with frank, I also have an E-2 and a walnut L-2
in original condition and neither one have grill cloth
or any signs that there was any. Congrats looks like a
nice little machine. Mine play great and sound great.
Gene

I have NEVER seen a Grafonola with cloth behind the louvers.

Not sure where the cloth would go anyway. The louvers open inside as far as they go out.

Columbia machines with louvers NEVER had a grille cloth. Nice machine you have.
Harvey Kravitz

As others have stated, there is NO cloth that covers the horn.

If you ever needed or wished to remove the louvers for repair or something, you will find wood screws in the top trim piece driven upward into the cabinet, and with the record doors open, driven upward through the cabinet into the bottom trim of the louver assembly. Thats what I have in my later Mignonette anyway.

Mike

Hi Everyone,

Thanks very much your respective replies. Please find attached further photos.

As you can see behind the louvres in photo 4, there is a big tear in the fabric.

When I have time I will try with your methods of removing the louvres. I found the screws. I replaced the reproducer with one I found on Ebay - the original reproducer I had is cracked, and the thumbscrew hole is now an oval.

I have no idea regarding the model number. I found a number underneath the turntable which shows a number, perhaps a serial number.

I polished it with beeswax and it looks fantastic.

Cheers,
Justin.

Judging from the condition of the cloth, I would be inclined to say it is very old, if not original. Though I have little to no experience with Grafonolas, I would hesitate, given Columbia's erratic history, to make categorical statements like "never" in reference to construction details.

Bill