Columbia grafonola 204 B gramophone

hello everyone,

This is my first post here so here goes...

I have just bought a well used but working Columbia grafonola 204 portable grampohone but i cannot seem to find any information on them at all?? im interested in the year of manufacture , price when new and history of the company and models of gramophones they made.

many thanks

So far, there's no comprehensive dating guide for Columbia products. This would probably have been produced in the mid to later 1930s, and would incorporate many of the design features of the HMV (His Master's Voice) line. (The Gramophone Company and Columbia merged in 1931 -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_G ... ne_Company )

I spotted this youtube clip of a rather beaten up example that sounds like the sound box needs a good overhaul -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YBV6Pe1wt0

On the opposite end, I found this nice looking restored 204 A model --



A similar model was under the HMV brand name--the HMV model 97. That originally sold for 3 Pounds/10 Shillings. I'd imagine that the Columbia version probably was priced in the same range.

hello,

thanks for the info , the one in the photo looks just the same as mine but on mine the logo on the inside has worn away but apart from that it works and looks very good for its age! Why is there so little information on columbia gramophones?? surely HMV kept the details when they took them over in '31? i have the serial number and model number plate (under the turntable) for reference...

thanks anyway...

Is there no columbia thread??

Does the tag under the turntable include a "B/?" number before the actual serial number?
If so, the "B" signifies the year 1936, and the numeral below the B is the number of years after 1936.
So if it says B/14, that would mean the machine was made in 1950.
The tag below shows this is a Model 88Z, made in 1946.

thanks for that my model is as follows,

model No 204c serial No B/2 47533

so is that a 1938 model? and what happened in 1936 by the way??

thanks everyone

okay silly question time , can i overwind my gramophone?? im a little bit worried of damaging it and some times it jumps and makes a thud type noise when the turntable is spinning? i suspect its not supposed to!

thanks

mjnurney wrote:okay silly question time , can i overwind my gramophone?? im a little bit worried of damaging it and some times it jumps and makes a thud type noise when the turntable is spinning? i suspect its not supposed to!

thanks

Not a silly question at all. Yes, you can over-wind it. Normally, though, you'd have to force the crank after it stops. You could try seeing how many turns of the crank are required to play a single side of a ten inch record. Start with 15 or 20, and go from there.

But....

If you hear bumps while the motor is unwinding, that's an indication that the grease used to lubricate the mainspring is due for replacement, and the mainspring, itself, needs a good cleaning. If I were you, I wouldn't play too many records until you have this taken care of. There are many shops that specialize in this, and you can have the work done for a nominal fee.

Probably, the motor also could stand a good cleaning and lubrication.

Along this line, if it has never been done, the sound box could probably also stand a tuneup with fresh diaphragm gaskets, and possibly, a new back mounting gasket (where it hooks to the tonearm).

If you are a "do-it-yourself-er," you might want to invest in "The Compleat Talking Machine," by Eric Reiss. (That's the way "Complete" is spelled in the title.) It's available from a number of booksellers, including -- http://www.amazon.com/Compleat-Talking- ... 1886606226

This is an excellent book for novices as well as experienced collectors, providing step by step illustrated instructions for most repairs.

HTH,
JDS

thank you for all the info , i will take a look at the gramophone and give it a good clean and grease when i get chance. it sounds and play loud and clear, so i dont think there is too much wrong with it.

i cant believe how loud 78s are!

My rather tatty 204 but it works well

my tatty 204

oh my pics haven't appeared?