Columbia Viva-tonal grafonola (slightly OT)

[Rick Fears]

This may be the wrong group, if so please forgive (I read the FAQ posted
recently, and the associated flames, so appreciate some of the local
sensitivities).

I have recently come across the wooden part of a Columbia Viva-tonal
grafonola. This has a lifetable top in which there is what was obviously
the base for a turntable fo some kind. Below there are two LP sized
cupboards with between them a sort of louvered arrangement (about 6
vertical slats) which I assume has something to do with letting the sound
out?

I'm interested to find out what this piece was, whether it can be
restored (e.g. by finding the appropriate gramophone mechanism), etc.

Any help (including a pointer to another more appropriate newsgroup if
necessary) most gratefully received

Regards

Rick.

[George Conklin]

Post by Rick Fears
This may be the wrong group, if so please forgive (I read the FAQ posted
recently, and the associated flames, so appreciate some of the local
sensitivities).
I have recently come across the wooden part of a Columbia Viva-tonal
grafonola. This has a lifetable top in which there is what was obviously
the base for a turntable fo some kind. Below there are two LP sized
cupboards with between them a sort of louvered arrangement (about 6
vertical slats) which I assume has something to do with letting the sound
out?
I'm interested to find out what this piece was, whether it can be
restored (e.g. by finding the appropriate gramophone mechanism), etc.
Any help (including a pointer to another more appropriate newsgroup if
necessary) most gratefully received
Regards
Rick.

There are books on Columbia phonographs complete with pictures. If the
works are missing, it probably has no particular value in today's market.
The book you need for pictures is by Robert Baumbach entitled "Columbia
Phonograph Compasion, Volume II: The Columbia Disc Graphophone and the
Grafonola. 1996. Stationary X-Press, PO Box 207, Woodland Hills, CA 91364.
Many of the Grafonolas had pretty good record storage, so from your
description it would be hard to say which model you might have the case for.

Hope this helps.

George Conklin

[norml]

"Viva-Tonal" was Columbia's answer to Victor's "Orthophonic" Victrolas.

I have a huge, heavy, console version. It is a crude ripoff off the Victor
"Credenza."

The point of both machines was Western Electric's matched-impedance theory
applied to mechanical reproducers for the purpose of reproducing the new
electrical records economically. (Electronic phonos were prohibitively
expensive for the first several years.)

Norm Lehfeldt

Post by Rick Fears
This may be the wrong group, if so please forgive (I read the FAQ posted
recently, and the associated flames, so appreciate some of the local
sensitivities).
I have recently come across the wooden part of a Columbia Viva-tonal
grafonola. This has a lifetable top in which there is what was obviously
the base for a turntable fo some kind. Below there are two LP sized
cupboards with between them a sort of louvered arrangement (about 6
vertical slats) which I assume has something to do with letting the sound
out?
I'm interested to find out what this piece was, whether it can be
restored (e.g. by finding the appropriate gramophone mechanism), etc.
Any help (including a pointer to another more appropriate newsgroup if
necessary) most gratefully received
Regards
Rick.

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Rick Fears
I have recently come across the wooden part of a Columbia Viva-tonal
grafonola. This has a lifetable top in which there is what was obviously
the base for a turntable fo some kind. Below there are two LP sized
cupboards with between them a sort of louvered arrangement (about 6
vertical slats) which I assume has something to do with letting the sound
out?

I have no idea what you mean by a "lifetable top". Your description
sounds more like it's just a record cabinet base to go with a tabletop
machine... Is there a hinged lid, underneath which is a panel with
various holes in it? If so, then yes - the louvered section is the
internal horn.

Gerry

[Gary Tayman]

I think he means -- "lift-able" top. The wood lid that lifts up to expose
the fact that there's no turntable inside.

By the way, there was originally concern that this subject is off-topic.
Why? This is indeed an antique phono. My hope is that he may find a
turntable motor that fits correctly, turning this into a nice unit.
--
Gary E. Tayman/Tayman Electrical
Sound Solutions For Classic Cars
http://www.taymanelectrical.com

Post by g***@gmail.com

Post by Rick Fears
I have recently come across the wooden part of a Columbia Viva-tonal
grafonola. This has a lifetable top in which there is what was obviously
the base for a turntable fo some kind. Below there are two LP sized
cupboards with between them a sort of louvered arrangement (about 6
vertical slats) which I assume has something to do with letting the sound
out?

I have no idea what you mean by a "lifetable top". Your description
sounds more like it's just a record cabinet base to go with a tabletop
machine... Is there a hinged lid, underneath which is a panel with
various holes in it? If so, then yes - the louvered section is the
internal horn.
Gerry

[Rick Fears]

Post by Gary Tayman
I think he means -- "lift-able" top. The wood lid that lifts up to
expose the fact that there's no turntable inside.
By the way, there was originally concern that this subject is
off-topic. Why? This is indeed an antique phono. My hope is that he
may find a turntable motor that fits correctly, turning this into a
nice unit.

Yes, I did mean liftable - fingers got tangled up...

Under that lid is a cut-out shelf that clearly used to have a turntable
of some sort on it.

The reason I thought the post might have been somewhat off-topic was that
there was no electrical/electronic component to the item and as this was
my first post to the group I checked for any discussions on the group FAQ
and found a slightly flamey thread and thought I might tread on toes if I
didn't suggest the possibility that I might be off topic. Glad to know
I'm not!

I will eventually get around to putting up some photos of the item on
some web site or other - I'll get back to the group when I have done so.

Many thanks to all for your replies

Regards

Rick.

[Steven]

Just don't mention 8-****** unless they are used as sculpture items,
i.e. the lady in the crafts group somebody found that used them in the
base of a lamp (lime green Jethro Tull tapes look rather pretty)...

[c***@webtv.net]

Off topic??? I am reminded of not to farrrr back,someone in this news
group posted a website about an electric phonograph and everybody
(including meself) was talking about the phonograph and the table the
phonograph was sitting on and the chair and the wall paper,,,, never
mind the gal that was standing there :{)
cuhulin