Phonoland

Hi,

I am a new member and fledgling collector. So far I have a neat VV50 Victrola that belonged to my grandparents, and a Credenza , given to me by a friend I helped move house, and not currently working.

A neighbor asked me if I would like to look at a Columbia Grafonola Non Pareil he has in his basement. It's not operational and is a bit beat up. The finish is poor, and one record storage compartment is off it's pins. But it looks like it's all complete. It could be we just don't know how to get it spinning. I didn't want to overwind it or force anything.

He's asked me if I want to buy it, and I would like to have it, but he seems to think it's gold plated or something. Is $100 a fair price, too much, or an insult to the seller?
Is it possible to find parts for this machine? I haven't been able to find much info. I think it was manufactured circa 1911, and sold for $150 new. Can anyone tell me more about this machine?

Thanks for any help!

Nuthin?
Does anyone else here own one perhaps? I'm very curious about this machine. I'd hate to pass it up if it is a good machine worth fixing. Not to re-sell, just to play, but I have a limited budget.

Phonoland's acoustic gramophone/phonograph forum only gets about one to two posts per month, and very few responses. (Normally, I'm the only one!) While waiting, you might want to post your question on one of the other phonograph or talking machine forums which you can find by Googling:

Forum "Talking Machine" OR Phonograph OR Gramophone OR Victrola

Personally, I know very little about Columbia Grafonolas--other than the information provided in "The Columbia Phonograph Companion, Vol. II" by Robert Baumbach--but I'd say an offer of between $100-200 would not be out of line since this is a pretty rare model and it seems to be in good condition. Parts, if needed, should not be that much of an issue.

As for the turntable, if playing with the auto-brake/speed control won't budge it, I'd guess that the motor is frozen with hardened grease, or some other issue may be involved. You might want to remove the crank, pull the turntable, and lift the motor board to inspect. If it's simply hardened grease, then spraying the motor with a little WD 40, or some light solvent, might loosen it up enough to spin and run down. This, of course, would not be a fix. If this is in as-found condition, the motor will need a complete cleaning and re-greasing, including the springs. The reproducer or sound box will also likely have to be overhauled with fresh gaskets and adjusted.

HTH,
Joe

Thanks Joe! That's very helpful. I might make an offer. If he accepts I'll post some more photos.