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So, I rescued a Columbia Grafonola from my Grandmother's basement. It's in nearly complete working order (the tone arm won't swivel on to the record...seized possibly?)

I don't know ANYTHING about these machines. All I know is that this machine was wasted in the basement for a long time and I just want to polish it up and let people enjoy it again.

I want to believe that this is just a regular Favorite model but the doors confuse me.

Can any one offer any more information?


Thanks in advance...

It's hard to tell from the photograph, but it looks like the top portion of an upright machine that has been cut down.

That's what I thought but the bottom doesn't appear to be modified and my mother always remembers it in this size. Would pictures of the hardware, or anything else, be of help?

Edit: were the floor models constructed in two pieces and then assembled in production?

I don't know very much about Columbia machines, but my first machine was a Columbia, and I believe the same model as what you have. This is in fact the top of a machine. The record storage was cut off.

The complete machine would have looked something like this:



As for the arm being frozen. that is probably due to the fact that Columbia used pot metal for the tone arm and elbow. Pot metal has a tendency to expand and swell over time. Some other folks on the board might have recommendations how to loosen it. However, these parts can be had for relatively little money. My Columbia actually had a broken tone arm, and I was able to get a replacement tone arm, with the elbow as well, on ebay for $15.

Honda_Kitty wrote:That's what I thought but the bottom doesn't appear to be modified and my mother always remembers it in this size. Would pictures of the hardware, or anything else, be of help?

Edit: were the floor models constructed in two pieces and then assembled in production?

The cabinet would have been constructed as one. However, the top of the inside of the record storage could pass as the bottom of a machine, if cut cleanly.

A side from the assumed cabinet modification the hardware is supposed to be all original, is there anyway to date the machine exactly or are they all pretty much the same from 1911-25?

Not assumed, definitely cut off. No, they weren't all the same between 1911-1925. Many models came and went with any number of modifications within models throughout production. You should invest in a copy of Baumbach's Columbia Disc Graphophone book. It lists every Columbia disc model and is well illustrated.

JohnM wrote:Not assumed, definitely cut off. No, they weren't all the same between 1911-1925. Many models came and went with any number of modifications within models throughout production. You should invest in a copy of Baumbach's Columbia Disc Graphophone book. It lists every Columbia disc model and is well illustrated.

Good to know, I had a suspicion but just didn't know enough and thankfully the modification was well done and it looks nice still. I'll certainly pick up a copy of the book. Now if I can get the arm to move I'll be all set.

Thanks to everyone for the information, if anyone knows a good parts dealer or how to oil this pot metal without busting the fixture, let me know!

Don't forget to use a new steel needle each time you play a record otherwise you'll wear your records out in double quick time. Steel needles can be purchased of eaby - both new old stock or brand new. Enjoy your machine.

S-B-H

It still had some needles in it and I did find some on-line to buy. Any other general maintenance? I picked up some good wood oil stuff to clean it up with also..

The felt isn't anything special, right? I saw some on-line that just seemed like a standard craft store felt.. eventually I'd like to recover that.


Oh...I did see loud and soft-tone needles? Does this even apply, should I be concerned about trying to hear the difference?