The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was recently re-united with one of my favorite machines! I was wondering what you guys know about this model? Like what year it was made, how it plays, interesting facts etc. I was also wondering what kind of finish this is because I need to repair parts of it on the top. I have the inner workings; they were taken out to be cleaned. I also had a question about some possible painted detailing. In certain carve-outs on the sides and around the bottom trim, there is what looks like red and green paint. Did those come on this model? Or did some previous owner do that? Thanks.

-Connor

According to Baumbach's Columbia Phonograph Companion vol. II, the Viva-Tonal 611 was introduced in 1926 for $115. It was made with walnut and had the flower art finish on the drop down door. The cheaper models were the 601 and 603 in mahogany finish without flowers. There was also a 613 in walnut that came out in 1928 at $100. I believe that in 1928 Columbia was using Garrard motors for their hand crank motors. Like the 603, it had two swinging doors, instead of a drop down door. The 613 is easy to tell apart from your 611 because it had two flower vase paintings on each door.

Thanks you very much for the information! I have this machine semi-put back together. I have a feeling it will need to be disassembled again, so I left off some parts. However, I did do a sound test and was wondering what you guys thought of it? I was amazed at how well the machine sounded because the reproducer has not been rebuilt yet. I did shellac the horn and seal connections! The record is in average condition, maybe VG-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x39TJPC9wnM

I clicked on the YouTube link and got the following :

CONTENT WARNING.
If the owner of this video has granted you access please sign in.
This video is private.

Not being registered with YouTube I could not sign in.

I will fix that. I accidentally made the video private, it should be working now.

I have a Model 613 and I agree these machines sound great. I went over my cabinet with Howard's Restore-A-Finish, being very careful NOT to touch the flower decals on the doors. No traces of any owner art work on my cabinet. Nice little machines for sure. Cheers

Bill K