The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all! I found this beauty this weekend at an antique shop and had to take her home! Upon my research, I learned that these machine's parts were manufactured by Columbia, anyone know what machine the parts came from? I also learned this machine is referred to as a "scheme machine" because of the over sized spindle thus, you to had to commit to buy proprietary records for it. I honestly never heard of this company until this weekend and apparently these machines are fairly common, I've never seen one. If y'all have any more info about these machines I'd welcome any info! My machine is from the early 20s I believe.

The Model A Standard is a fascinating machine that went through numerous changes over the years. You will find many threads on this board with a search. Just remember that Edison also produced a "Standard" for cylinders, so include "disc" or "Columbia" with your search.

Congratulations, The Standard Type A was my very first disc talking machine and I've always loved them. Mine was a wedding gift from DeeDee in 1975.

Jerry Blais

When searching, call it a "Standard Talking machine," as this isn't a Standard Phonograph.

Standards and the other brands of the Great Northern family have been written about extensively. Your Standard likely dates from the 1911-1914 period.

George P.

I have a few discs for the Standard if your interested.

Steve

Is it possible to put a regular Columbia platter on these? I know some people grind down the Standard spindle.

And it LOOKS like an unmarked Columbia Analyzing reproducer, right?

Anyway, I love it! How's it sound?

stetam wrote:I have a few discs for the Standard if your interested.

Steve

Yes! I need to build up my collection because I only have the one that this machine came with!

SteveM wrote:Is it possible to put a regular Columbia platter on these? I know some people grind down the Standard spindle.

And it LOOKS like an unmarked Columbia Analyzing reproducer, right?

Anyway, I love it! How's it sound?

She sounds great! She works flawlessly, I want to say it was probably serviced years ago. I do want to lube it but I don't see any holes to introduce new lubricant to the motor.

If you want to play regular 78s on it, go to JAS Antiques on eBay and buy a conversion turntable which can be dropped in to replace the turntable on there.

It shares some parts with the Columbia BN Graphophone. I have one circa 1909 that shares the same reproducer, a Columbia Analysing. The needle changes are easy because of the push lever instead of a thumbscrew.

They are fairly common but that oversized spindle makes them particularly interesting--that, and the big handsome decal on the front. The paint on the horn is actually in pretty nice shape...

For lubrication there might be some holes under the platter to drip oil through, but that just pours oil into the bottom of the case if it's working. You will want to take the motor out and give it a full service if you want to use it regularly, and rebuild the reproducer to give it more compliance. There is a flat isolator between the reproducer and the tone arm that usually goes hard and brittle with age.

Also, joints in the arm should be sealed with grease to give it more potent reproduction. That said, enjoy! It's a gorgeous little phonograph and those vintage telephones behind it were not so bad either!

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:If you want to play regular 78s on it, go to JAS Antiques on eBay and buy a conversion turntable which can be dropped in to replace the turntable on there.

It shares some parts with the Columbia BN Graphophone. I have one circa 1909 that shares the same reproducer, a Columbia Analysing. The needle changes are easy because of the push lever instead of a thumbscrew.

They are fairly common but that oversized spindle makes them particularly interesting--that, and the big handsome decal on the front. The paint on the horn is actually in pretty nice shape...

For lubrication there might be some holes under the platter to drip oil through, but that just pours oil into the bottom of the case if it's working. You will want to take the motor out and give it a full service if you want to use it regularly, and rebuild the reproducer to give it more compliance. There is a flat isolator between the reproducer and the tone arm that usually goes hard and brittle with age.

Also, joints in the arm should be sealed with grease to give it more potent reproduction. That said, enjoy! It's a gorgeous little phonograph and those vintage telephones behind it were not so bad either!

Thanks I'll look into that, I need to find a local place to have it serviced. I do not want to have to ship it. There is one place I know of that's good but the turn around time is almost 9 months which is much too long. I live in Houston, Texas.

I found the adapter, do I simply lift the original turntable off and place the adapter on it?