The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have been here often reading and learning, will share my (free)road side Credenza X photos soon...My question is while out Junking this weekend at flea market I came across a Columbia Gramophone, little ruff was questioning if speed control worked(I had not found any 78's there and the needle was shot anyway)the stop lever was questionable. Anyway as we know I heard the same old "it's real old" and worth at least $175.00. The unit was solid but rough controls ehh... needed work, cabinet needed refinishing, new felt for platter ect...I felt a far price was $75 to $100 max, how close was I? I did not make offer because we have all met them kind of people he would have been offended.. I am just curious if i would have been low balling it or am I learning...the pic is off eBay to show model...thanks everyone

That style of table Grafonola is very nice but very common. I'd say around $200 would be OK for a clean one with nothing missing or broken. They are encountered often so you can pass up broken ones unless they're dirt cheap.

This is an instance where a table model is more desirable than an average upright Grafonola which often can't even be given away.

Just an observation - that Grafonola in the photo has a hideously bent needle-bar: check-out the angle of the needle to the platter !


I acquired on of these about two years ago, from a local antique shop - dusty but intact and functional for about $150... I probably paid a bit too much, but I wanted to have a Columbia machine in my collection, and this was the first table-top Grafonola I had run across.

Another comment: these machines use lead weights on the governors, and frequently the lead is flaking-off, which may cause the machine to run fast and / or unevenly, so budget for possible governor weight replacement.

Just a caution- if you (or anyone) are considering that one on Ebay it is not even worth close to $299.....many things are broken or missing.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Columbia-Grafon ... 3a6a88bbf5