Columbia radio and phonograph combo

[need4art]

Hi All,
Listed in the Phoenix AZ Craigslist is a 1928 Columbia stereo unit. The picture looks like it is a 2 tone finish, it is not. Someone carefully striped the finish and all the carvings are there-but the top is shot and would need to be re-veneered and then stained and shot with lacquer. There is also one half of a leg carving missing that I would recast and then finish to match. The radio knobs are missing. Inside the top lift cabinet there is one base missing on the side of the turntable-I think that record albums go on each side of the turntable so that would need to be done.

Not knowing about these units I found that there were 2 separate plugs 1 for the radio and 1 for the turntable. the light was very poor in the room and I did not bring a flashlight and they did not have one. Anyhow the tone arm looks fine and cracking wires aside I plugged it in. The auto shutoff works but turntable speed is very slow. At this point I figured I was ahead of the game and did NOT plug the radio in.

I did not get a model number because light was poor and because my tired old eyes forgot to bring my readers along. The radio does have a Columbia model number tag attached to it and all tubes looked to be there. This unit has been in the family since the late 50's and has had care from very good to poor according to the 1 surviving daughter and she just wants to get ride of it. It was listed at $150 but she will just give it to me if I take it. The model it most looks like in the Columbia book volume II is the model 940.

I know that the cost of repair is in the radio section but I have some help in that arena. Any thoughts for a guy who doesn't need another project?

Abe

[gregbogantz]

Recent threads here on the TMF have discussed the resale value of phonographs. With some exceptions, it has pretty much been decided that the rarity of a model does help keep its value up over time. Early electronic players usually were expensive models and never sold in great quantities. They are even harder to find today. But it's also true that the early electronic machines generally are not YET bringing much money. What I take from this scenario is that this is a good time to be "investing" in early electronic machines. Some of these models, including almost all of the Columbias, are VERY rare today. I buy old electronic phonos because I like them and without much thought as to their future "value", but I can't help believe that they will some day come into their own as prime collectibles. They are also fun to use because they generally sound pretty pleasing. You can buy Edison Standards all day long, even Class Ms can be had for a pretty price. But just TRY to find a Columbia 990. Try to just FIND one, never mind trying to find one for sale. So far as I can determine, there is only one 990 that I or any of my phono buddies have ever heard about. Guess who owns it . . .

[phonojim]

If she just wants to get rid of it, take it and figure out what to do with it later.
The last time I remember seeing a late '20s Columbia all electric combo was in about 1970. They just don't show up very often.

Jim

[JohnM]

Abe, this would not be considered a "stereo". 'Stereo' implies discrete left and right channels (at least) and a software system designed to contain the discrete signals which are mixed and mastered in such a way as to impart the illusion of space. Monophonic systems such as the 1920's Columbia are the opposite of a stereophonic system -- one channel, and a mono-mix signal source.

[Swing Band Heaven]

I tend to agree with phonojim. Get it and then decide. If its too far gone then it could be parted out but if its a goer for restoration then make a start. I have no idea of the rarity of these machines but I would guess that they are not common and lets face it they will only get rarer as time goes on. I think the thing that goes against some of the early electric machines is size - which may be a factor in the low prices that some machines get. I only have one machine from the late 20's but the sound really is quite good - much better than you would think given the infancy of the technology.

Go for it!

S-B-H

[ChuckA]

Recent threads here on the TMF have discussed the resale value of phonographs. With some exceptions, it has pretty much been decided that the rarity of a model does help Try to just FIND one, never mind trying to find one for sale. So far as I can determine, there is only one 990 that I or any of my phono buddies have ever heard about. Guess who owns it . . .

So Greg give us a hint...


Chuck

[Valecnik]

Recent threads here on the TMF have discussed the resale value of phonographs. With some exceptions, it has pretty much been decided that the rarity of a model does help Try to just FIND one, never mind trying to find one for sale. So far as I can determine, there is only one 990 that I or any of my phono buddies have ever heard about. Guess who owns it . . .

So Greg give us a hint...


Chuck

Greg, Maybe you could get that owner, whoever he is to let you post some pictures. I don't think I've ever even seen this one before.

[Kirkwood]

Not sure if it helps the discussion, but I did a Google search for Columbia Kolster 940 and it turns up a pic of a nice, if typical, late 1920s upright. Am I correct that Kolster made the electronics (radio, power supply) for the Columbia line in the late 20s-early 30s?

[gramophoneshane]

Yes, or at least it's true of all the models sold here in Australia until 1931/32. I think the association between Columbia & Kolster ended in Jan 1930 when Kolster went bankrupt, but we probably would have received old stocks until the ban on American radios came in during 1933/34.
Kolster reopened in March 1930, but I dont think they suppied to Columbia after that.

[Henry]

Well, now that I've found a photo of a Columbia 990 (thank you google), I don't know what to think! Does the sound come out of that funny looking stamped metal thingamabob on the front? I do like the wheels---must be easy to move this one! And with those lights, you sure won't stumble over it in the dark! Now I know what all the fuss was about....

http://www.mytractorforum.com/showthread.php?t=78895