Dear Mr. Bogantz: I have both 800 & 810 Viva-tonals & unfortunately the cabinet of the latter was stripped, effacing the decoration & the original knobs were replaced. I'd like to have an artist friend recreate the decorations. Could you possibly send me detailed close up photos of the cabinet decoration & knobs? There are faint remnants of green paint along the lower grooved part of the cabinet. Many thanks!
Jim Cartwright Immortal Performances, Inc. _____ From: Antique Phonograph List [mailto:phono-l@oldcrank.org] Sent: Friday, August 07, 2015 10:22 PM To: Antique Phonograph List Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Columbia Viva-Tonal model 710 I have the Columbia 613 and 810, both VivaTonal models. The 600 series has a simple curved wooden horn, nearly identical to those used in the small Victor ortho machines such as the 4-3. And the small Columbias sound very similar to the small Victors which is very good for their size. The 800 series Columbias have very large horns and were supposed to compete with the large horn Victors such as the Credenza. But the large Columbia horn is NOT exponential in taper and does not sound as good as the big Victors. The big Columbia sound is a bit muddier with noticeably less treble. I don't know about the 700 series Columbias, but I would assume that the horns in them are similar to the mid-size Victors. But if I were to guess, I'd assume that the mid-size Columbias probably are not quite as good sounding as the mid-size Victors. The big Columbia horn is made of a number of flat and curved pieces of wood that must be sealed at their joints. And these seals will likely need to be renewed during your restoration. The Columbia motors are quiet and smooth. They all incorporate an automatic shutoff that must be set for the record ending diameter in a way similar to the early Victor shutoff mechanisms. All the Columbia VivaTonals use the #15 reproducer which has the distinct advantage that it has NO potmetal parts. It is easily rebuildable, but it uses an unusual molded rubber coupling that mounts the body to the metal sleeve that is used to connect with the tonearm. These original rubber bits will almost certainly be turned to stone, but so far as I know there are no reproductions of them available. Most people who own these have finagled a custom replacement frammis of some type to replace the rubber piece. People's opinions on the sound of the reproducers vary. But the Columbia #15 is heavier than the Victor #5 ortho and has a stiffer (lower) compliance with a higher mechanical resonance. This results in less bass and a response that is tilted toward a higher midrangey sound. I have made a set of adapters that allows me to mount either reproducer on both Columbia VivaTonal and Victor ortho machines. My opinion is that the Columbia #15 is not as good sounding as the Victor #5 when used on any of the phonographs. The Columbia reproducer has less bass response and higher distortion while also producing more record wear due to the higher tracking force due to its higher weight and its lower compliance. Still, the Columbia VivaTonal machines are nice enough sounding and make a good comparison of the technologies of the two companies' products of the same vintage. Greg Bogantz ----- Original Message ----- From: Antique <mailto:phono-l@oldcrank.org> Phonograph List To: phono-l@oldcrank.org Sent: Friday, August 07, 2015 10:01 PM Subject: [Phono-L] Columbia Viva-Tonal model 710 I've wanted to have a nice Columbia Viva-Tonal phonograph for a long time, and now I have the opportunity to buy a model 710. Not being famailiar with these -- I've never actually seen one in person -- I'm wondering what kind of cosmetic work this will need. It seems the green trim paint is faded in some places, and largely gone in others (note front center above the speaker grille in the second photo). The nickel plating on the tone arm and reproducer appears to be heavily oxidized, as well. I don't know what other cosmetic or mechanical issues it may have; are there common known issues with this model, and with Viva-Tonals in general? Do the horns usually need to be re-sealed? Are the reproducers pot metal? I've read these don't have a stop; does that mean it doesn't have an automatic stop, or (forgive me) any stop at all? How do these machines sound, in general? (Personally, I don't think Grafonolas sound very good.) Finally, the seller says he won't take any less than $225 for it; I know value is in the eye of the beholder, but does this seem reasonable to you, or is it way out of line? <http://mandrillapp.com/track/open.php?u=30365713&id=4d99648d7f684bf49ce139f 1a0d9b63b> _____ <http://mandrillapp.com/track/click/30365713/www.avast.com?p=eyJzIjoiZ0psQ3R 1MXo5SjF4VWFBWmVTOGZ1cldhdXlnIiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDM2NTcxMyxcInZcIjo xLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5hdmFzdC5jb21cXFwvYW50aXZpcnVzXCIsXCJ pZFwiOlwiMmEzOGQxNDI5NDdmNDExMzgzYzMxYmNkZjcwNzNmMWZcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCI 4MTdjNDA5MjFmN2MzY2QzMWZhZGQ0Zjk5MWI3ZGM5YWFjNjhjNWYyXCJdfSJ9> Avast logo This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com <http://mandrillapp.com/track/click/30365713/www.avast.com?p=eyJzIjoiZ0psQ3R 1MXo5SjF4VWFBWmVTOGZ1cldhdXlnIiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDM2NTcxMyxcInZcIjo xLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL3d3dy5hdmFzdC5jb21cXFwvYW50aXZpcnVzXCIsXCJ pZFwiOlwiMmEzOGQxNDI5NDdmNDExMzgzYzMxYmNkZjcwNzNmMWZcIixcInVybF9pZHNcIjpbXCI 4MTdjNDA5MjFmN2MzY2QzMWZhZGQ0Zjk5MWI3ZGM5YWFjNjhjNWYyXCJdfSJ9> <http://mandrillapp.com/track/open.php?u=30365713&id=2a38d142947f411383c31bc df7073f1f>
