If it's made in 1925 or later, it should be lacquer. Best to find a spot that doesn't show, and brush a small amount of denatured alcohol on the finish. If it's lacquer, either the finish will turn whitish (and maybe nothing happens). If it's shellac, the finish will dissolve quickly. Doug. Houston > [Original Message] > From: Ron L'Herault <lherault at bu.edu> > To: <phonolist at yahoogroups.com>; Antique Phonograph List <phono-l at oldcrank.org> > Date: 9/22/2007 12:30:01 PM > Subject: [Phono-L] Columbia 611 Viva-tonal > > Hi gang, > > I've just become the owner of this little cutie and have a couple of > questions for the group. Did any Columbia Viva-tonal machines have an auto > or semi-auto brake? Is the 611 supposed to have one? What is the finish > on these machines, lacquer or shellac? It looks like lacquer to me. > > I've already dismantled the tone arm to grease/seal joints which improved > the sound already. I want to rebuild the reproducer. I think it is leaking > and it looks like the gaskets are cracked and dry. Anything I should look > out for? > > Thanks. > > Ron L > > > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org