I've documented the history of this machine elsewhere on this website, but a short summary would be that this was a machine using Columbia components that was given away by local merchants. In return for spending your dollars at your local retailer, you received coupons good toward a "free" talking machine. The catch was that the Standard A required special proprietary records with an oversize spindle.
So if you're looking at a Standard Model A on ebay or some other venue, the seller may not inform you that this machine will not play regular, lateral cut 78rpm records. You would have to locate the special Standard Disc Records. And, oh, there's one other detriment that the ebay seller may not be aware of. These records were typically pressed from worn matrices, and even when new and in good condition, did not play as strong as regular Columbia or Victor discs.
So here is the first reason that our Standard Model A is superior to a machine you may see on some other venue. Our Standard Model A will play regular 78rpm records. You can listen to Victor, Columbia, Brunswick, and most other brands of regular records on our machine. This is because our Standard Model A comes with a special adaptor turntable for regular 78rpm records. And to maintain the charm and originality of the machine, it also comes with the original turntable for the special Standard records. The turntables are easily removed and easily switched from one to the other.
There is a second reason reason why our Standard Model A is superior to others you may find. These machines are prone to wear and binding in the turntable drive gear. So your ebay seller may tell you the machine is working, and it may. Once or a couple of times. And then the drive gear binds and the machine freezes up. These machines may work perfectly ten or twenty times in row, until they don't. Yes, replacement drive gears have been available, but in my experience you can't always count on them to perform better than the old originals.
This machine has an excellent working drive gear which has been adjusted and tested. I refuse to sell one of these machines which isn't working properly, because I don't want you shipping it back to me for repairs.
Cosmetically, this machine has a very nice original oak finish with an excellent colorful original red decal.
The horn shows some minor scratches. The original paint on the original horn is in good condition, particularly for this type of horn. These horns are typically found weathered and rusty, or else repainted.
This machine is playing well and sounds good, as you can hear in the youtube video below. There is a little typical noise from the motor. The good news is that the company that marketed this machine bought everything from Columbia, so the machine uses regular Columbia components, which makes it simpler to get parts for.
As an added bonus, and for the sake of historical accuracy, we are including three of the special Standard Disc Records. We're also including one of the coupons you could redeem to claim the machine, which you can display along with the machine.
Lynn Bilton
Box 435
Randolph,OH 44265
330 325-7866
We buy, sell, and repair antique phonographs and music boxes.
Pick-up and delivery possible in many parts of the midwest,south, and northeast.
Mechanical music
for sale