Squeezing another gramophone in!

[@neilgoloy3582]

Lovely antique, it performs nicely despite its age. A purchase that's worth it, also a good way to start the year. Well done. Cheers!

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍

[@GrandadIsAnOldMan]

🤣🤣👍👍

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@Music_diplomat]

You have a lot of gramophones. I wish you a million subscribers👍

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, I really have too many gramophones! 😅 Lots more to cover in future videos, though 😀

[@recordhog78]

beautiful machine! i have a columbia viva tonal grafonola model 119a tabletop, the motor board is extremely similar and i have the same problem with the spring! i wish you luck! thanks! 👌

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, I saw your Grafonola, but thanks for the reminder as I had forgotten just how similar the two are 👍. Yours is very much the tabletop version of mine. Everything seems to be the same, even down to the clever horn. Despite the spring problems, I am very impressed with how these machines play. 😀

[@recordhog78]

mine used to look extremely dull until i used autosol chrome cleaner on the soundbox and all that stuff! i highly recommend it! yes i do love these types of machines they are very reliable and some of the most solid handles i have ever felt! thanks! 😁

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, I might clean it up. I have polished up some of my machines, but if they are working, I sometimes just leave them alone! 😅. Thanks 😀 👍

[@allanegleston4931]

like me but with trains . havent really bought anything new in years but still keeping my older equipment alive. lovely machine.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, indeed. I really have no interest in modern equipment. Surprising as it may be, I don't really listen much to music 🤔😉😅. Thanks 😀👍

[@allanegleston4931]

@@mrrgstuff its more of a space issue annd the new gear is so expensive.

[@Timothycan]

It's a very nice machine, and worth getting the motor repaired, I would think.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, it sounds very good when it is playing. I just need to get the motor to play for longer 🤔

[@GusadelsonPlaysRoblox]

this one is new sir!

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, indeed! Thanks 😀 👍

[@jhonwask]

I don't have any Columbia phonographs, in fact I rarely see any for sale. Just rebuild that motor and it should be fine.

[@mrrgstuff]

I have very rarely seen one, though I did see a similar metal motor board 'plate' at RetroTechUK last year. Was tempted, but I didn't have a use for it then. In the limited testing I have done, the machine certainly sounds pretty good (the camera mic didn't do it justice), so it would be nice to get it fixed. Thanks 😀 👍

[@joeking1722]

As far as the soundbox weight, this is how they are designed. My victor vv-9 and vv - 4-3 are 156 grams. Perfectly fine.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes indeed, though they don't need to apply as much pressure to work, which certainly helps if the springs are tired or not working properly. Counterweights, I understand, were also commonly used, back in the day with fibre or thorn needle as the tracking was often too heavy for them. Thanks 😀 👍

[@joeking1722]

@mrrgstuff Vary well sir. I did not know that about the fiber needles having counter weights added when in use . Makes sense though as the softer material. Thanks for the information. I have not yet tried them would like to someday. Hard to find. Good day.

[@mrrgstuff]

@joeking1722 I've not tried fibre needles yet, and there does seem to be some debate on how much reducing the tracking force helps, though of course, it needs to be low enough to for the tip to last the whole record. I've also yet to come across a vintage counterweight. I suspect most people just used steel needles, and if the tins I have found are a guide, they mainly used loud ones too 🤔 😅! This forum thread might be of interest to you: forum.talkingmachine.info/viewtopic.php?t=58972 Thanks 😀 👍

[@chriswade7470]

The clunking sound to me means old sticky grease in the spring barrel

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, indeed, I'm sure there is plenty of old sticky grease in the barrels. The spring gets a little bit stiff on winding but never seems to be fully wound up. If it is a broken spring, then it should be clearer when I look at the motor, if like on the HMV, the spring barrel turns when not being wound or played. Thanks 😀 👍

[@tiga4180]

Shows how machines are always on 'best behaviour when they call out: "Buy me!" I have an early Columbia 117, still 'Viva Tonal' but not sporting the (new development? gimmick?) 'plano reflex' tone arm. Would love to hear a sound comparison, but suspect pseudo science as the idea was later abandoned. Good luck with the restoration. Have often wondered if there's a way of 'freezing' the offending spring, rather than going to the trouble of replacing it. Would guess it could at least play one 12" side with just one spring operating.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes indeed 😅. The spring on this one stiffens up a bit when winding, but actually, if I keep winding, I get that clicking noise that suggests the spring end is detached and slipping. I have seen dual spring motors where the spring barrel was bolted to the drive gear to work with only a single spring and indeed the single spring version of this I think is effectively that. Thanks 😀 👍

[@walkingtheboogie]

Looks beautiful. I dont have space, really. So I probably wouldn't have bought it. Then there is cost. Plus, it would likely need serving. Lately I have learnt I can't do such things.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, the space and cost are definitely issues, and it is a shame it needs work. It does sound very good when it is playing, though 😅. I need to stop buying big machines or really any machines 🤔 😉😅

[@NippersLounge]

Very nice machine! I’m surprised your wife was okay with you buying, another machine.

[@mrrgstuff]

Yes, indeed. What was even more embarrassing was that it was a cash sale, and I had to borrow the cash from her! 😳. Fortunately, my wife is very understanding 😁. Thanks 😀 👍

[@wrichard11]

Grafonolas are good instruments.

[@mrrgstuff]

Thanks 😀 👍. Yes, despite the motor problems, I am very impressed by how well this machine sounds 😅

[@Kevin-yi8fd]

Hello again very nice machine you may have to sell your wife to get some more Gramophones & Phonographs especially if she moans. Thankyou again 😊😊😊

[@mrrgstuff]

Fortunately my wife is very understanding, however as she collects stuff too, the house is well and truly full, and I really can't buy any more big machines 😅. Thanks 😀 👍