The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

For sale locally - Does it look like it's been stripped or refinished at some point, ot just washed out? The doors look darker than the surrounding wood to me...The ad says "Complete, hand crank spins and sounds like its turning something but I cant get it to play a record / move, so sold as-is" - broken spring? Seller hasn't figured out the brake? Either way, I may jump on it for $100, if the boss approves...Any general thoughts? Thanks!

If it is close by, it would be worth looking at. $100 isn't bad if it is working. Maybe they would consider an offer?

Looks like the finish has been messed with, particularly the cabinet framing around the doors and also the corner posts. A working XI-G is worth $100 today, IMO, which is what I paid for mine back in 1980. I'd want to see it in person and test it, too.

I wonder when Victor moved the ID tag from the position seen in the photo to the back right-hand corner (vertically mounted) where mine is? Mine (#370333-G) is a later machine than this one.

BTW, just noticed the sound box. It should be an Exhibition, but the photo doesn't look like one.

The mahogany VV-XI is the single most common machine out there. It's a great machine but it's everywhere, so you shouldn't have to pay "full" price for one that's stated as not working. With patience, you should be able to find a similar machine on Craigslist, in need of the usual restoration but working, for under $100.

Refinishing a victrola is difficult and expensive to get right. I would keep looking. Original finish is what most collectors want. If you buy this one, you will be putting way more money into it than it's worth. It's so common that another better one at the same price is bound to pop up. Good luck!

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm just gonna pass it on by - but I will keep an eye on it for a price drop.....