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How common is a Columbia BKT Graphophone--and should I replace a Fireside combination A with it?

I like the look of the machines & I love the sound from the Lyric Reproducers. Come to mind that maybe I could trade the Edison Fireside & pick up a BKT or something, but wasn't sure whether that is a good idea. I know that most Columbias don't play 4-minute cylinders but these are the questions that come on those mornings where you wake up at 3:00 AM.

Anybody got ideas?

Charles

A BKT (backmount BK) is not easy, or cheap to find... They are considerably more expensive than a Fireside, especially with a 2/4 minute attachment (yes, they can play 4 minute cylinders with the 2/4 attachment and correct Lyric reproducer). Finding one equipped like that will be the challenge...

It's my belief that Lyric reproduces wear wax cylinders so I'd only play celluloid with one, but that's just me.

I can't speak for the Columbia, but in my opinion, the Fireside Model A was one of the best cylinder machines ever made by any company and I wouldn't trade mine for anything. It seems like Edison had worked out all the problems by the time that the Fireside A was introduced. Plus they are small but sturdy 2/4 machines with combination reproducers, nifty horn offerings like the red Fireside horn or the cygnet, and all of mine have played flawlessly when properly adjusted.

If this is your "go to" player for cylinders, I'd stick with the Fireside. In terms a machine's overall interest in a collection the choice for me would be the BKT. You don't mention the horn used with the Fireside but that would also be a consideration.

Jerry B.

Charles has a cygnet horn for his Fireside.

David

I just sold my BKT and regret doing so. It was a great looking machine and played incredible loud and clear. Almost as loud as my cygnet horn Triumph with O reproducer.
It was only a 2-Minute machine. I only played the Columbia Indestructible cylinders on it as I felt the spring loaded reproducer would cause wear to wax cylinders.
I had a fellow over to see my collection. He was admiring the BKT and I told him it was not for sale. He asked me how much I would have to get for it before I might
consider parting with it. I through out the figure $1200 just to discourage him. He opened his wallet and called my bluff by slapping down 12 $100 dollar bills.

Pete

I love the looks of the back mount Columbia machines... I have a BKT and a BFT, both are 2/4 minute machines, but for an every day player I use my Fireside with a cygnet horn and K reproducer...

The Lyric reproducers sound great with 2-minute wax, if you find ones with a doorknob stylus. Sometimes they turn up with a conical stylus which was the 2-4 one, or at least that's what the folks told me. The last Graphophone like that I had was a BK and it had a 2-minute doorknob in it, which would play anything as well as an Edison or maybe better. I wouldn't want to play wax anything with the pointed 4-minute styluses.

I have an Amberola 30 that works great and am still piecing together a Home B with 2-4 conversion & the 24" black & brass Standard Metal Co. horn by John Duffy. Still needs parts that I've been too swamped to acquire. I'd consider drilling the case of the Home & swapping in the cygnet, considering it is a complete refinish/rebuild from a basket case machine, but drilling a good case is frowned upon -- for good reason.

And yes the Fireside is equipped with a cygnet horn, and that boosts the fidelity quite a bit!

@MikeB I do agree the Fireside is a good phonograph. It's like a simplified Standard that is miniaturized enough to fit anywhere but still capable of getting the job done. The only thing I would possibly consider is upgrading the reproducer from a K to something with a bit more diaphragm.

But at $1200 realized price for yours @Pete Stratford, I think I'm going to be hanging onto the Fireside if that is what BKT's are going for now!

The Lyric reproducers sound great with 2-minute wax, if you find ones with a doorknob stylus. Sometimes they turn up with a conical stylus which was the 2-4 one, or at least that's what the folks told me. The last Graphophone like that I had was a BK and it had a 2-minute doorknob in it, which would play anything as well as an Edison or maybe better. I wouldn't want to play wax anything with the pointed 4-minute styluses.

I have an Amberola 30 that works great and am still piecing together a Home B with 2-4 conversion & the 24" black & brass Standard Metal Co. horn by John Duffy. Still needs parts that I've been too swamped to acquire. I'd consider drilling the case of the Home & swapping in the cygnet, considering it is a complete refinish/rebuild from a basket case machine, but drilling a good case is frowned upon -- for good reason.

And yes the Fireside is equipped with a cygnet horn, and that boosts the fidelity quite a bit!

@MikeB I do agree the Fireside is a good phonograph. It's like a simplified Standard that is miniaturized enough to fit anywhere but still capable of getting the job done. The only thing I would possibly consider is upgrading the reproducer from a K to something with a bit more diaphragm.

But at $1200 realized price for yours @Pete Stratford, I think I'm going to be hanging onto the Fireside if that is what BKT's are going for now!