Interested in the Columbia Viva Tonal 810

[audiophile102]

I have searched the forum for information about the 810 and I think I would like to acquire one of my own. There is one on Ebay for $1500, but it's in California and I'm in Illinois. Does anyone have any links to sites with more detailed information on what to look for? Also, I have had difficulty finding a current market value for the 810. The photos are from the Ebay listing. Thanks.

[marcapra]

I have a fine Columbia Viva Tonal model 800 that I would consider selling. The model 800 is the one made of walnut rather that mahogany. The three main springs have been cleaned and greased and the motor gone through. Its playing rivals the sound of the Victrola Credenza. It could be shipped via Freight, or I know a guy that drives to Union every June from So. Calif and he could deliver it there. PM me if interested. Marc.

[FloridaClay]

They are handsome machines. $1,500 is far too much IMHO.

Clay

[larryh]

At one time I had the 810 and have looked for one every since. They rarely show up around my part of the country which does happen to be Southern Illinois. However I think I told the story of discovering that an estate sale just a few houses from me here in the country had one for auction. It was however the 800 model. Another neighbor in a new home next to the property of the sale decided for some reason she was going to own it no matter the price. So I bid her up but I finally said enough and let her have it.. That was around a couple months ago. Sunday she drove in my drive and got out of her car and I met her on the sidewalk. She wanted to know if I still wanted a phonograph. Which I did.. She dropped over 300.00 off what she paid for it and I just had it delivered a couple days ago. It dark for sure and the surface is more checkered than I would like. I should have had them leave it in my moms garage instead of her basement till I could do some work on it. But being so very heavy an my ability to haul heavy objects is quickly diminishing I went ahead and had it put in the basement. I can have the pilot lights turned off in warm weather enough to do a couple coats of thinned shellac if that is indeed the finish. I haven't yet tested that. I did get some Kotten Klenser and am in the process of cleaning it the best I can. It may be that after the finish has dried a couple of coats of wax might bring it back satisfactorily but I think that is iffy.

I ended up paying 600.00 for it, which is on the high end I think for here. Had she not bid me up originally I think it would have sold for about half what I now have in it.

Here are a couple shots of what it looks like with just the front upper panel cleaned up. The doors I cleaned yesterday after these photos. They are not very light.

[bigshot]

They are handsome machines. $1,500 is far too much IMHO. Clay

Not in Los Angeles. There aren't a lot of these sorts of machines West of the Rockies. There are lots of VV-Xs and such, tons of suitcase phonos, and an occasional orthophonic, but the expensive later Brunswicks and Columbias are pretty scarce.

[De Soto Frank]

It seems that a nice example will equal or exceed a Victor Credenza in terms of selling price.

They do not seem to be as common as the Credenza.

Some folks prefer the tone quality of the 800 / 810 Viva-Tonal to the Credenza...


I'm thinking between $500-$1,000, depending on condition, and location. (Perhaps $500 is low-ball...)

[marcapra]

They are definitely not as common as Credenzas! The Viva Tonal 800 and 810 were only made in 1926-27 and that was it! The 800 walnut model is much rarer than the 810 mahogany model also. Columbia continued the Viva Tonal line in 1928 with the small 600 models and the medium 700 models. In 1928, to the more well-to-do crowd, Columbia concentrated on the new Columbia-Kolster Viva-Tonal electric phonographs and radio/phonograph combinations.

[PHONOMAN]

sold $2500 on the way to Japan

[Hailey]

We have a really nice 810, original owner machine that we purchased nearly 25 years ago from the family that bought it new.
If you are interested, you may contact us. We are just a short day trip from you.

[marcapra]

sold $2500 on the way to Japan

Phonoman, What sold? The Viva-Tonal above was for sale at $1500.