Columbia viva tonal Grafonola

[Markw]

Evening all, thank you for allowing me to join the forum! I have been handed down my Great Grandfather's gramophone and had it apart to give it a light service. I think the sound box needs looking at as it is buzzing a little, other than that it sounds great! The cabinet needs a bit of attention but I'm not really sure how to deal with it. Does anyone have any idea of the year of manufacture? I have tried to gather information but not been particularly successful, 1930s is my best guess.

[FloridaClay]

Curious to see a Viva-Tonal in the old style cabinet. None in Baumbach's Columbia Phonograph Companion, Volume II have it. But there may have been some different styles in GB.

Clay

[Phono48]

Going by the No.8 soundbox and the straight arm, around 1927. After this, Columbia went over to the angled "Plano-reflex" arm, and the No.9 soundbox.

Barry

[Markw]

Thanks for the information. Are the sound boxes easy to repair or am I better off sending it away to be done properly? Any recommendations? I was looking for an old advert that I could keep with it, anyone got a pdf copy of an old newspaper cutting?

[Phono48]

The No.8 soundbox is as easy as any other to repair. Simply a matter of removing the back and the stylus bar. The only thing to watch out for is that the diaphragms are extremely thin, and can easily tear and buckle, especially if they are stuck to the rubber gaskets. If you haven't repaired one before, then you may prefer to send it away to be done, rather than risk damage.

Barry

[epigramophone]

Welcome to the forum. Here is your machine pictured in the UK Columbia catalogue for late 1926 :

[Markw]

Thanks for the advice, I will send it away rather than risk damaging it. That advert is brilliant! Thank you so much!