COLUMBIA DISC GRAPHOPHONE TYPE BII


Columbia put the other talking machine companies to shame when it came to style. They specialized in pretty decals and eye-catching horns and nickel-plating that shown like silver.  Columbia relied on the spectacular visual impact of the Type "BII" to carry then through into the second decade of the 20th century.  This model remained in production into the middle 'teens, and was improved as rge years rolled on.  The particular equipment of this version locates it around 1914. The horn is especially noteworthy -- it is an original solid-brass nickel-plated Columbia flower horn of formidable proportions.  And what an impact it makes on the eye -- in a near perfect state of preservation.


The oak cabinet has gravitas, with deep molding and stately pillars.  The decal is an historically perfect replica of the original, underneath the cabinet finish, precisely like it was done back in the day.  A friend of ours has devoted his retirement to hand-making these archivally correct decals.  


As technology progessed within Columbia products (and Columbia had always remained on the cutting edge of innovation), the previous start/stop/speed controls were simplified so that in one movement the client could both operate the motor and find the right speed.  All components are in fine condition. We have performed a professional, thorough cleaning, polishing and calibration. Our instruments are spotlessly clean. We take no short cuts. 54 years of experience go into everything we sell. 


The BII has a smooth-running triple-spring motor, which we have professionally tweaked and adjusted.  What do other sellers do?  They think they can "repair" a broken mainspring by putting a drywall screw through it.  And they don't have the smarts to know a good playing motor from a messed-up one.We have taken special care to skillfully rebuild and regulate the soundbox (needle head) to produce big, bold and brilliant music.  Where do our competitors fail?  One significant  factor is the soundbox.  We have seen every kind of jury-rigged nonesense that other dealers have perpetrated.  And we have fixed their mistakes.

Borrowing the design from their successful line of Grafonola cabinet models, Columbia enployed the latest components of the time.  Note the stylishly curved bracket and the most up-to-date :Grafonola" arm and closed-faced soundbox.  Everything about this instrument was cutting-edge for the period.


 

The Columbia Type BII Disc Graphophone -- a beautiful, authentic antique talking machine -- look how it shines! n It was called the "Improved Sterling" in company literature, and indeed itt is both wonderfully improved, and shines like sterling!

Price: $1995.00 plus s/h, (NY State residents must add tax if applicable).

Contact: phonotim@gmail.com

Telephone: 585-244-5546

US Post: PHONOPHAN

               PO Box 747

               Henrietta, NY 14467 USA

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