The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've been wanting to dive into this hobby for some time, but the acquisition a few years ago of my father-in-law's collection of 500-600 78s started me thinking seriously about getting a machine, and yesterday I took the plunge with the Columbia Grafonola you see here.

I've seen a few posts on this forum with questions like I'm about to ask, but if I'm committing any forum faux pas here, please forgive me and chalk it up to enthusiasm.

THE MODEL DATE? The best information I can find online is that this is probably from 1915 give or take a year or two. Does that sound right?

ORIGINAL PARTS? I've seen posts where eagle-eyed experts can tell when parts are original or restored; what's the best way to know?

INTERIOR ACCESS? After I brought it home, I tried removing the turntable mechanism by removing the three (of four; one is missing) large screws holding it to the cabinet, but it didn't lift off easily, so it looks like maybe some additional work is needed to get inside, perhaps removing the tonearm mechanism?

MECHANISM CLEANING? Once I *am* able to access the interior, is there a recommended method and/or frequency of cleaning/maintaining the works?

It plays well and sounds great -- it came with a bunch of loose needles and a package of fresh ones, and I've already enjoyed some Jolson, Glenn Miller, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and even Buddy Hackett. I'm looking forward to sorting through the collection, cleaning out the chaff (sadly, about 70% of it is Bing Crosby; I wish it were blues and jazz!), visiting barn sales and thrift shops in earnest, cleaning and organizing discs (I already ordered 100 quality sleeves from Nauck's to get started) and spiffing up the cabinet with Howard Restore-a-Finish oil and some nickel polish.

ANY information about this specific machine, or any tips, tricks, advice for a newbie, is MUCH appreciated. I look forward to exploring the forum, absorbing the knowledge here and paying it forward someday. Thanks, gang!

I don't have experience with Grafonolas; but I might as well ask a basic question.

Did you remove the turntable and the crank before trying to remove the motor?

Anyway: once you've removed the motor, it's always a good idea to strip it down, clean, and relubricate it. (NOTE: always make ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN the motor is COMPLETELY WOUND DOWN before you disassemble it!) As for cleaning, you can use mineral spirits and a toothbrush to get the old oil and grease residue off. Sewing machine oil is the best general lubricant, with perhaps some vaseline on spiral gears. Re-oiling can be done a few times a year, if you play it often

If you've never worked on a mainspring, I suggest you send the barrel(s) off to be professionally serviced: there are a number of good people in the "Resources" links, who will do the work for a reasonable price.

The reproducer should also be rebuilt: at the very least, new gaskets, and a little adjustment of the stylus bar pivots can make a great difference in sound.

I notice there seems to be a bit of loose veneer on the case: those can be glued and clamped back into place.

That's my two cents: if you want to learn more about restoration, I strongly suggest Eric L. Reiss's The Compleat Talking Machine, which is an invaluable resource.

Bill

Lucius1958 wrote:Did you remove the turntable and the crank before trying to remove the motor?

I didn't spend any time on it beyond just removing the three screws to see if I could lift off the turntable and take a peek, but now that you mention it: Yep, it was probably the crank that was preventing me from lifting off the turntable. Duh.

Great tips on cleaning and restoring -- I have a jukebox and a pinball machine, so while I know I still have a loooooong way to go on this Grafonola, I'm comfortable diving into at least 201-level maintenance and repair. I'll definitely be getting a copy of the Reiss book. Thank you for the post, Bill.

Craig

Forum member "phonofreak" (Harvey) is one of the resident Columbia experts, hopefully he'll comment.


Based on the photos, your machine appears to be a "Leader" model, circa 1914-5.

Cabinet is oak veneer, and looks to be in nice condition.


This machine was roughly equivalent to Victor's VV-X floor model.


Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations on your new machine.


Frank

Welcome to the forum and hobby, and congratulations to your new Grafonola. Here is a link to a user manual http://www.nipperhead.com/old/colgraf.htm. Grafonolas are very good machines, the only real issue can be pot metal swelling on tonearm and reproducer parts. If your tonearm moves freely and easily all the way horizontally and vertically without binding you are in luck. Everything else is just cleaning and maintenance. Should you feel any resistance in the movement of the tonearm, or if the reproducer does not easily rotate upwards, so it can be removed, please do not force anything, but rather search the forum for the many posts discussing pot metal issues. If there is a little binding there often is a way to resolve it, but if you apply any kind of force it may just break or crumble.

Good luck
Andreas

alang wrote:Here is a link to a user manual http://www.nipperhead.com/old/colgraf.htm.

Spectacular -- thank you!

And yes, I believe I am in good luck: As indicated, I'm a newbie and have much to learn, but the wear and tear appear to be minor for a 100-year-old machine (there's one small white-ish blemish on the top of the lid) and all the parts seem to be in excellent working order. Whoever owned this previously (I won it in an online auction and picked it up from the auction house a few days ago as I type this) clearly took very good care of it, though I have no idea if the main parts are original or replacement (the felt is clearly a replacement, as it looks brand-new).

Does the tone-arm move freely up & down, and from side to side ? ( under its own weight ?)

De Soto Frank wrote:Does the tone-arm move freely up & down, and from side to side ? ( under its own weight ?)

Yes, it does.