The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings. I'm curious about this machine, and I can't find any pictures of it online. (Lots of pictures of the other Symphony model, the one that looks like a piano.; the upright is pictured on page 132 of Tim and George's "Discovering Antique Phonographs," and nowhere else as far as I can tell.) Does anyone have a sense of how many were made? Does anyone out there have one? If so, would you consider posting some pictures of it? I've only ever seen one in person, and I'm curious about it. I wonder how it sounds, with that short metal horn that points upward toward the ceiling. It looks like it wouldn't be easy to operate, with the brake and crank on the side, behind the door when it's opened. It also looks like it would be difficult to work on, in that little cramped compartment. I'm a big Columbia fan -- cylinder and disc Graphophones, and Grafonolas -- and would love to know more about, if anyone has info and/or pictures to share. Thank you!

Here are a couple of images of the machine in question from George and Tim's book. (If either you gentlemen have any objection to my posting it here, kindly let me know and I will take it down right away.) One of these came up for sale recently; I didn't inquire, because it's not really to my taste (although I do typically love Columbias), but it did pique my curiosity. It seems to use the tone arm, bracket and elbow from a BI (Sterling), though the example that came up for sale looked like it had a later #6 reproducer, or perhaps one of the unmarked black-fan reproducers like the one that came on my BII (Improved Sterling). (The pictures weren't very clear.) They posted a video, too, which seemed to indicate a broken mainspring, though they claimed it "works." As I said, I'm curious about how easy it is to operate and work on this machine, and how it sounds. And if you're the person who bought it, I'd love to hear how you're doing with it, and even see a closeup of the reproducer. Thanks again!

Zenger,

Tim and I typically have no problem with others posting something from our books as long as the source is acknowledged. Thanks for doing that!

George P.

I appreciate it, George.

phonogfp wrote: Thu Mar 12, 2026 7:52 pm Zenger,

Tim and I typically have no problem with others posting something from our books as long as the source is acknowledged. Thanks for doing that!

George P.

Just “archiving” it, I’m sure.