The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Make: Columbia
Model: G-50
Serial #: Unknown
Years Made: Unknown
Original Cost: Unknown
Case Size: 12"X9"X6"
Turntable: 6.25"
Reproducer: Unmarked/unknown Viva-Tonal reproducer
Motor: Single spring
Horn: Internal metal horn. Spotted metal ( I believe it is a tin alloy) 5" long, 5"X3" mouth
Reproduction Parts: None/ Original
Current Value: Unknown/priceless to me
Interesting facts: Possibly a Japanese/ export model

The machine that brought me into the hobby, it was a Christmas gift from my mom. This machine is my daily player when I am at college. It has a pretty good sound for a small horn, with a loud tone needle it has a pretty good bark for its size. Sorry about the sideways pictures, my phone is a piece of garbage. I don't know how to turn them the correct way. Also, if anyone would like to help fill in the unknowns, any information would be much appreciated.

Here it is, playing the Paul Whiteman cover of "The Darktown Strutter's Ball"

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

Columbia opened a Japanese factory in about 1927, so your machine could have been produced there.

Here is my G-208 which I purchased from the grand-daughter of the original owner, who purchased it in Hong Kong just before it fell to the Japanese.

I have one of these, a g-50 in green. The horn is made of hot dip galvanized steel. Mine showed up in pieces, so I took apart to repair. The horn is surprisingly crudely made, in two pieces, the part coming down from the tone arm was poorly trimmed and sticks deeper into the horn than it should, which can’t do anything good for the sound. I’d be tempted to unsolder it, and trim properly, and then solder it back together, but I want it as original as possible, though fixed to where the shipping damage is no longer keeping it from functioning.

Thanks for sharing the story and photos of the G-50.
Don