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This past Tuesday, I had found a small Columbia Graphophone cylinder machine. For $225.00 in an antique mall. It might, have been a Model B or Q, I'm not sure? It did have a long metal plate in the front. It looks to be in decent shape, however. It was missing the winding key, and a horn. So I could not test it out. The lid was missing a piece of wood on the bottom, and looked like it needed some work. I was hesitant, about buying it as it was incomplete. It would have been nice to have if it was complete. I thought it would be a nice addition to my collection.

Anyway, I did not buy it. I could just look for one that is more complete. Since my other machines were complete. I like to test machine out before I buy them. Especially, from an antique mall.

Paul

Paul,
Reproduction horns and winding keys are readily availible and relatively inexpensive. And by the way, not trying to be a smart a** but it's spelled Graphophone. Was the reproducer alright?

Paul, its easy to identify which one you saw

Graphophone B
https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/ ... mp=yhs-003

Graphophone Q
http://phonojack.com/Columbia/Columbia-Graphophone.jpg

I prefer the B

I also prefer the Graphophone B. It has a double spring motor and a better reproducer than the Graphophone Q.

US PHONO It looked like the "B".


Nick: The reproducer looked alright.

Paul,
Since it's a Graphophone B and the reproducer is OK I would say go for it. The winding key and horn are commonly missing items off these machines. Just for the heck of it offer $200 but there's nothing wrong with paying $225. The 10' aluminum horn is the correct horn for the Graphophone B. Reproduction 10' horns are availible on eBay and are made of nickel plated brass because it's a much cheaper alternative than the aluminum horns.

^^^
Actually, the original horn was nickel-plated brass. Columbia used aluminum for 14" horns on slightly larger machines but the 10" was plated.

The Type B is a lot of fun, with its exposed motor. That's a very fair price.

I would go for the "B".

After I can get some funds together, I plan to buy a "B" later this year.
I had a nice "B" with correct small original reproducer and even the belt cover was there, I ended up selling that one a few years ago for $450.00, a steal but needed the money at the time.

These are great machines, double spring motor and sound good too.

TinfoilPhono wrote:^^^
Actually, the original horn was nickel-plated brass. Columbia used aluminum for 14" horns on slightly larger machines but the 10" was plated.

The Type B is a lot of fun, with its exposed motor. That's a very fair price.

Wow I didn't know that the 10" horns were nickel plated brass not aluminum. We learn something new everyday.

Thank you all for the replies. If the machine is still there, then I will buy it. If not, well I'll keep looking.

I figured, that since I already own a few Columbia Cylinder records, that it would be cool to have a Columbia Phonograph.

Also, I did not think the price was that bad. Considering, what some of these machines on eBay go for. I have even seen, some high prices on cylinder machines in antique malls.

Paul