Antique Phonograph ~ AEOLIAN VOCAlION - GRADUOLA ~ Early 1900's Record Player for Sale

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Antique Phonograph ~ AEOLIAN VOCAlION - GRADUOLA ~ Early 1900's Record Player For Sale

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Antique Phonograph ~ AEOLIAN VOCAlION - GRADUOLA ~ Early 1900's Record Player:
$195.00

Local Pickup Only

As sad as I am to part with this fine old phono, I went stereo about half a century ago. I realize that the folks looking at this phonograph will have a range of knowledge and experience, so I'll try and cover the bases without too many errors. While getting ready to photograph the phonograph, I looked for a handy platter to put on and first came upon "Mountain High" sung by Matt Keefe. I'm not that fond of yodeling and Matt sounded like a woman. That was because when I was first checking out the Aeolian I had moved the RPM control on the lower right below the turntable. According to the owners manual, if the speed was a bit off when you got the machine from the factory (or the speed of the recording varied a bit) you could adjust the RPMs.

Looking for something a bit more to my taste, I noticed Ted Lewis Jazz Orchestra's "The Moon Shine On The Moonshine". The Aeolian can be set to stop automatically for each record.Instead of checking the owners manualat the NipperHead website(PG 10), I decided to set the automatic stopping feature with a bit of trial and error (sometimes a bad mistake),but I got it set and was ready to lay back and soak in some Dixieland.Ted Lewis's name seemed familiar and Wikipedia refreshed and enriched my memory.One of my photos is taken with the turntable off and the "automatic stop" mechanism fully visible.

The Wikipedia writeup describes the Aeolian company as manufacturer player pianos and among the best pipe organs who saw the future coming and added phonographs to their business under the Vocalion name. With the 400 series (this model) they added the first remote volume control in sound recordings - the Graduola. The owner's manual viewable at the Nipperhead website firmly warns that the remote wire should be fully extended from the cabinet as it is in one of my pictures. The knob is then slowly pulled (moving an internal baffle I suspect) to lower the volume. The manual mentions a clip for the Graduola which I was unaware of but I looked for the screw holes where the manual said the clip would be and found the holes.

I think the cabinet finish quite presentable after nearly a century (I gave it a quick polish for photographing). Of course cabinet could be brought back to the excellent condition of the underside of the lid if wished. The felt on the turntable is loose and needs attention (if you can tear yourself away from listening to records). One of the needle cups has been replaced with a plastic film canister and include about 2 dozen steel needles. A significant and usual improvement in needle handling in the early 60's. At the end of the horn is a grill that snaps open. I've noticed somewhat torn cloth on some other Vocalions that haven't been fully restored. Not only is the cloth missing, but the grill is broken and has been glued up. This is most notable from the backside which is why I have the photo of the back of the grill.

Another major problem (although it doesn't effect "the runnin' of it") is the broken "elbow of the sound tube" which I feature in a photo. (Thinking of the reproducer head attaching at the wrist.) Looking at other phonos of this era, Vocalions in particular, this may be a weakness and very susceptible to rough handling. The photo of the the elbowshows itwired into place, but I think the phono sounds fine. I suppose a bit of fidelity might be lost out the elbow. Looking at the YouTube videos I see that there are more than one style of sound tube attached to the reproducer head. Some them rotate at the "wrist", this one does not. The rotation accommodates two methods of recording which Wikipedia describes.

I have the doors open in one photo to show the cabinet record storage which reminds me to mention that one of the door knobs needs a daub of glue. I checked the lock which works fine although it has loose back screw which could use a longer replacement or some wood dough. I don't have a key, but I saw them on .

While searching for Aeolain information I checked out YouTube videos particularly enjoying the (6:24 minute) videofrom Victrolaman( /watch?v=M6OQHPWFwlY ). Without betraying the excellent quality of Aeolian, I also want to thank those RCA folks at Nipperhead for putting up so many manuals. The complete Aeolian manual is an Nipperhead (dot) com/old/aeolian01.htm

Thanks for looking

Regarding Local Pickup

We're easy to get to and it should make a nice day out, just 3 minutes off the Taconic State Parkway in the mid-Hudson valley. After payment we'll freely store it for a reasonable period while you arrange for a convenient time come and pick it up. There is plenty to do and see on a day-trip to the Hudson Valley.

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Antique Phonograph ~ AEOLIAN VOCAlION - GRADUOLA ~ Early 1900's Record Player For Sale

Antique Phonograph ~ AEOLIAN VOCAlION - GRADUOLA ~ Early 1900's Record Player: $195.00

Antique Phonograph ~ AEOLIAN VOCAlION - GRADUOLA ~ Early 1900's Record Player:
$195.00