The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A Columbia tabletop model was dropped off to me today to work on. It has a governor issue and the reproducer needs rebuilt. Nothing out of the ordinary. But when I got it, there was an attachment on the reproducer that I don't recall seeing. Has anyone ever seen anything like this?





It is inserted into the reproducer the way a regular needle would be. However,there is another thumb screw at the bottom of the attachment where the needle is actually supposed to go. By looking at it I would guess that this would be used to dampen the volume as the center black part of the attachment is rubber which would act like a shock absorber. Is this assumption correct?

For a bonus question, ( ) does anyone know what model of Columbia this is and where I could find replacement governor springs and weights? Also need gaskets for the reproducer rebuild. Any help would be appreciated as always.

Sonny,

The machine looks like a "Jewel" Grafonola, and the parts you need (governor springs & weights; gaskets) should be readily available from Ron Sitko, Dwayne Wyatt, George Vollema, APSCO, or any phono parts supplier.

The odd attachment resembles a "Bakertone" shown in Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gimmicks, but is not quite the same. You're correct in that the sales hype claimed things like removing the scratch, mellowing the tone, removing metallic resonance, and other such stuff...

George P.

Great George! Thanks for the help.

I just got done looking at the APSCO website and they should have what I need. And, coincidentally, I am waiting on my copy of Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gimmicks. Should be here Monday and I will be sure to take a look at the Bakertone. It's a neat attachment. I wonder who sold it and what the cost was.

Sonny,

You'll find the "Bakertone" on page 86, and next to it a similar device called the "Deflex-O-Graph." I haven't seen one like the example you pictured, and until one is found with an original box and/or instructions, or we find an ad, its identity will remain a mystery. I kind of like a mystery, don't you?

George P.

Yes, the mystery and hunt is a lot of the fun in my opinion as well. I will be keeping an eye out for an ad and will see if by chance, (a long shot, I know) the person who brought it to me knows anything about it.

The rubber part is hard and weathered. I would like to replace it so I can try it out. It would be interesting to see if there is much of a difference. If I can come up with a suitable rubber replacement I will post a video to demonstrate it.

That adaption contraption looks like the perfect phono fix for people who didn't like the sound of phonos. It does two things: By extending the overall length of the needle it noticeably reduces the overall loudness of sound. The rubber baby buggy bumper (when restored to its original flexiness), combined with the extra massiveness of the structure will effectively kill not only the record scratch but all the rest of the treble. The result will be very soft and very mellow. Perfect for not disturbing the neighbors.

I'm very interested in hearing it in action. I am racking my brain for a proper replacement for the rubber cylinder part of the attachment. Does anyone have any ideas for a good replacement?

I believe the machine is a FAVORITE. I have one just like it.

Thanks for the reply, arturo. However, I do believe that George and others were correct in the initial identification in that it is a "Jewel". I am finding there were 3 common table top models produced. They are as follows ordered from least expensive to most expensive. The "Eclipse", the "Jewell" and the "Favorite". From what I have seen while researching this, the "Favorite has round columns on the corners of the phonograph while the "Jewel's" columns are squared and not quite as attractive in my opinion.

I have also just begun reading about the different designations given to the three models over the years. Their names changed from the three listed above, to numbers then to letters. (Or maybe the other way around.) Either way, there were slight variations in the design as the nomenclature changed and I am just now learning what those changes are. In fact, I went ahead and bit the bullet by ordering a copy of The Columbia Phonograph Companion Vol. II. It was expensive being out of print, but I am sure will be worth every penny.

So now I am trying to pinpoint which model it is withing the three name designations that were given throughout it's production years. Either way, this has been fun as always when I receive a new machine in my possession to work on. I can learn far more from having it in my possession and working on it, than by reading about it without the benefit of hands on experience.

At any rate, I will find a way to replace the rubber piece on the attachment. I am truly intrigued by these add-on products offered by aftermarket phonograph suppliers of that era. It's a whole new side to collecting/hunting that can be very rewarding. So if anyone has suggestions for a replacement, please let me know! : )

(By the way, I just began really researching these Columbia table top phonographs so please correct me if any of this post is incorrect. I need all the help/knowledge I can get! )

Sorry about all the questions! I just found a complete Grafonola upright motor in my garage that I had forgotten that I had. The governor is perfect on it. So I removed it and am waiting to go to my parents tomorrow to see if it will fit on the motor for the "Jewel". Does anyone know if Columbia made governors using a universal size? If so, then this will obviously fit the "Jewell" which will at least solve that problem, right?

Thanks as always!