The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi everyone,

I have a Columbia AH disc phonograph but it seems that the distance between the screw holes is different from the standard Columbia size. It is strange because the machine seems to be an original one and there are no signs of other holes on the cabinet.

As you can see from the attached images, when my father was still alive the object was mounted. I found it with his front mount arm disassembled and an arm support that doens't fit the cabinet.

All the Columbia machines that I have have the same arm support. How is it possible??

Thank you for your kind attention.
Enrico

Hi Just a guess. If the outline mark on the cabinet match the bracket maybe there are other brackets that had closer screw hole centres. Perhaps someone with an earlier or later. AH will be able to advise.
Zapper

When you swing the reproducer towards the spindle, does the needle touch the spindle? If not, how far off is it?

Jerry B.

I'm guessing that the bracket may be a reproduction?

Jerry B. wrote:When you swing the reproducer towards the spindle, does the needle touch the spindle? If not, how far off is it?

Jerry B.

Hi Jerry,

I can't verify why I'm currently unable to mount the travelling arm...
The picture shows the machine as it was some years ago.

Thanks,
Enrico

zapper wrote:Hi Just a guess. If the outline mark on the cabinet match the bracket maybe there are other brackets that had closer screw hole centres. Perhaps someone with an earlier or later. AH will be able to advise.
Zapper

Hi Zapper,

Yes, that's what someone has already told me. This may be especially true of the early models.

Thanks,
Enrico

JerryVan wrote:I'm guessing that the bracket may be a reproduction?

Hi Jerry,

It doesn't seem like a reproduction. Then the one I put aside now is original, I still have some among the spare parts.
If anything, the problem should be with the cabinet, but that too seems original.

Thanks,
Enrico

If it helps any, the mounting hole spacing on my AH, (an early version, like yours), is 22mm. Yours appears to measure 16mm?

Also, the tone arm on mine is not the open, filigreed style, with the cast aluminum horn cradle, that yours is. Mine has the bent wire cradle. Don't know if that's relevant or not.

I have an extra piece that mounts to the cabinetl. It's the piece the support arm drops down into. Jerry B.

I don't want to usurp this thread, but i have another AH question.

How do I know if my AH takes the brass or leather elbow?

Thanks.