Columbia Table Radiogram. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

FERNSEH · 22nd Aug 2017, 5:28 pm

This neat Columbia table radiogram is OK except that the record deck doesn't slide in and out with any precision. To improve matters the owner has supplied me with a pair of metal draw runners which should solve the problem.

About the Columbia radiogram. I suspect it was made by Sobell under a special agreement with EMI in which there was an exchange of share capital between the two companies in order to facilitate a deal with GUS stores.
The cabinet doesn't have that EMI look about it.

DFWB.

Stuart R · 22nd Aug 2017, 10:26 pm

Hello,

A few of these have cropped up here before. I know you haven't asked for ID, but if the back's missing and you have no model number to go by, it's a Columbia C401.

The original wooden runners aren't much good, not helped when the milboard underneath sags.

Regards,

SR

FERNSEH · 24th Aug 2017, 5:14 pm

SR wrote: "it's a Columbia C401." Indeed it is and there was Marconi branded table radio that employed a similar chassis, the T32A.
http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_t32at_32.html

Job done. The new metal draw runners work perfectly, much better than the original arrangement with wooden runners.
The gram draw front has been given a rub over with French polish.
The electrical restoration work on the chassis will be carried out by another Forum member.

DFWB.

wd40addict · 24th Aug 2017, 7:19 pm

Where's the speaker grille?

FERNSEH · 24th Aug 2017, 10:34 pm

The Columbia table radiogram has a loudspeaker aperture at both sides. If one thinks about it with the addition of a second amplifier a compact stereogram can be created from this unit.

DFWB.

Stuart R · 24th Aug 2017, 11:15 pm

A nice job with the runners.

I hadn't considered any Sobell relationship, but a quick search found the Sobell 553W radio, which looks very similar with a gold metal grille and simple cabinet.

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sobell_553w.html

My Image search then found an image of the Rolland 445 radio on Radio Museum which has a very similar dial and layout - never heard of one of those, was that another catalogue brand?

http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rolland_unknown.html

Regards,

SR

FERNSEH · 25th Aug 2017, 12:50 am

More info about Rolland and Sobell:
http://www.radiomuseum.co.uk/land.html

DFWB.

Stuart R · 25th Aug 2017, 8:52 pm

Thanks for posting that link, an interesting read which then links to a restoration write-up of a Rolland radio.

SR

22nd Aug 2017, 5:28 pm	#1
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Columbia Table Radiogram. This neat Columbia table radiogram is OK except that the record deck doesn't slide in and out with any precision. To improve matters the owner has supplied me with a pair of metal draw runners which should solve the problem. About the Columbia radiogram. I suspect it was made by Sobell under a special agreement with EMI in which there was an exchange of share capital between the two companies in order to facilitate a deal with GUS stores. The cabinet doesn't have that EMI look about it. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

22nd Aug 2017, 10:26 pm	#2
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. Hello, A few of these have cropped up here before. I know you haven't asked for ID, but if the back's missing and you have no model number to go by, it's a Columbia C401. The original wooden runners aren't much good, not helped when the milboard underneath sags. Regards, SR

24th Aug 2017, 5:14 pm	#3
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. SR wrote: "it's a Columbia C401." Indeed it is and there was Marconi branded table radio that employed a similar chassis, the T32A. http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/marconi_t32at_32.html Job done. The new metal draw runners work perfectly, much better than the original arrangement with wooden runners. The gram draw front has been given a rub over with French polish. The electrical restoration work on the chassis will be carried out by another Forum member. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

24th Aug 2017, 7:19 pm	#4
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. Where's the speaker grille?

24th Aug 2017, 10:34 pm	#5
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. The Columbia table radiogram has a loudspeaker aperture at both sides. If one thinks about it with the addition of a second amplifier a compact stereogram can be created from this unit. DFWB. Attached Thumbnails

24th Aug 2017, 11:15 pm	#6
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. A nice job with the runners. I hadn't considered any Sobell relationship, but a quick search found the Sobell 553W radio, which looks very similar with a gold metal grille and simple cabinet. http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sobell_553w.html My Image search then found an image of the Rolland 445 radio on Radio Museum which has a very similar dial and layout - never heard of one of those, was that another catalogue brand? http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/rolland_unknown.html Regards, SR

25th Aug 2017, 12:50 am	#7
FERNSEH Dekatron Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, UK. Posts: 7,444	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. More info about Rolland and Sobell: http://www.radiomuseum.co.uk/land.html DFWB.

25th Aug 2017, 8:52 pm	#8
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: Columbia Table Radiogram. Thanks for posting that link, an interesting read which then links to a restoration write-up of a Rolland radio. SR