The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a Columbia Grafonola in oak has lovers in front. missing back lid hinge and motor tone arm all the goodies just a case.
Its in rough shape .
Having trouble deciding to fix or sell it off.
pictures to follow

Thanks from William

Two things to consider here.

Keeping it as a project? I think it would cost you far more, both in cash and time, to assemble all the parts than it would to buy a working model in good condition.

Selling it on? I'm all for saving whatever we can, but with great respect, this is a very rough cabinet, from a reasonably common model. What could you expect to get for it?

Sorry, but my advice is.....Dump it!

This cabinet might be good for pieces- those louvers sometimes get broken. Otherwise this is of little or no value- for the cost of the missing mechanism you could probably buy a complete machine.

Might be more useful recycled into an ornamental box.

Looks like it needs a lot of love.


This is a Columbia "Jewel" / "35", which was a step down from their $50 "Favorite" table model.

Uses a two-spring motor, mounted to a blued-steel plate.

Takes a Columbia #6 reproducer, on a nickled-brass arm.

Like the others said, it will cost more than what the machine is worth. I would use the cabinet to practice restoration, refinishing, etc. If you make a mistake, so what. It will be a great learning tool.
Harvey Kravitz

Thank You I will consider these options I forgot to ad I paid about 30.00 plus shipping on E-Pay
guess I got stuck. I use to have a lot of Columbia parts motor board w/motor tone arms etc.
I guess I sold that stuff a lil early Thanks you'll

If you are good with electronics you could transfer the guts of a modern player into it. It should at least be possible to make the wood look attractive, and you might run across one with a worse damaged case

If you are into phonographs---then you bring it back to life, as an early piece in the history of recorded sound----no matter what the value is---that is the hobby. If you are looking at it only as a monetary value---then set it on fire, so other models like it will be worth a nickel or dime more---that is an investor. People who hear a crank-up machine enjoy what they hear----not caring if it is a Victor 6 or a Columbia internal horn machine---the magic as to how it works adds to -----where do you plug it in, is there a battery, and the young generation---solar powered? Enjoy the cheap as well as the higher end machines----without cheap machines--there would be no expensive ones. You're enjoyment of what you collect, determines your happiness of sharing it with others---not boasting of I have the super rare of only this number made. If it takes a day or two years to get the parts----you are looking at a future in the hobby.