new year craigslist fun!

[gregbogantz]

The early electric horseshoe magnet pickups track at about the same force as a Victor orthophonic or Columbia #15 VivaTonal, about 120 - 150 grams. The problem with record wear comes when the rubber needle bar suspension parts are not rebuilt. Without rebuilding, the resulting stiffness of these pickups will trash records mercilessly. When properly rebuilt, there is no difference in record wear between these early electrics and the late acoustic reproducers. Both should be used with steel or tungsten needles. Do NOT use the jewelled sapphire tip needles typically used in the piezoelectric pickups common in the 1930s. They were a bad idea even in the 1930s because the tracking force was still too high at 30 - 50 grams, never mind the much higher forces of the earlier pickups.

[Kirkwood]

Greetings Schweg---Congrats on your amazing good luck!! I guess you already know that Victor (or was it RCA Victor by then?) put RE-45 type electronics in some of their un-sold high-end machines. Seems like there's a photo in the Victor Data Book of just such an instrument. So---you have historic precedent on your side, if you decide to do that. I think it would be a dandy idea. I have owned and heard a few RE-45 instruments, and restored they sound really fine indeed. Just this past Christmas season, I heard a nice RESTORED VE-9-55 up in Baltimore. Original radio, speaker, etc. I think that the technology had evolved by 1929 such that the RE-45 stuff sounds just a touch better. Make no mistake---the VE9-55 is one impressive machine, well worth hogging space in any garage. But---how's the pot metal on those changer castings? I have heard that re-cast parts are no longer available---is this true? Good luck with a most worthwhile project!

[schweg]

Potmetal? Potmetal? Oh, you mean those cracked and crumbling parts?? The record lift pad is completely gone. That was the same with the 10-50 I have although I was able to get a replacement from Mr. Weatherby in FL. I'll get ahold of him to see if he has another. The bracket that holds the changer mechanism seems ok. The 10" and 12" changer knob is broken and the teeth on the little gears are intact but are showing signs of trouble. I'm not sure if it is set on 10" or 12" but that's likely where it will remain..The bad news so far is that I plugged it in and it hums and tries to turn but then stops. The 10-50 I bought about a year back played great right from the start with no problems. I haven't had the motor out but if anyone has any ideas about what I'll need to do, let me know. I'm good with changing springs but this is something I haven't dealt with much.

Thanks! Steve

[SonnyPhono]

Great to see someone on the board picked that up. Please keep up posted on your progress. I hope you bring this one back and am happy you got it!

[phonophan79]

$50 OFF-BRANDER

McClagan phonograph - $50 (Lake City, WA)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/1561995682.html

cabinet only, no works... but interesting, perhaps a Puritan with the horn on the bottom?

Phonograph Tiger Oak Cabinet - $225 (Fort Washington, MD)
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ ... 54471.html

the scarce phono-doll

antique phonograph doll - $600 (South Overland Park, KS)
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/atq/1545505007.html

affordable off-brander

Excelisor phonograph - $135 (Cape Coral, FL)
http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/lee/atq/1544657856.html

no grill, but still cheap

Edison C-250 Diamond Disc phonograph - $100 (Champaign-Urbana, IL)
http://chambana.craigslist.org/msg/1548541939.html

no-name off-brander

phonograph - $300 (Marietta, GA)
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/atq/1561961491.html

SHABBY CHIC!

Brunswick phonograph - $75 (CANOGA PARK, CA)
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/fu ... 09637.html

since we're talking about early electric Victor's...

Electric Victrola Model VE12-15E
http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/msg/1561526936.html

[airgrabber666]

This machine is reasonably local to me (VV-300; $175 or best offer): http://southjersey.craigslist.org/atq/1561603488.html

[OrthoSean]

Well, the 12-15 post was gone before I got to see it. Anyone have the details on it? How was the condition and what were they asking for it? Must have been cheap since someone obviously grabbed it quickly.

Sean

[phonophan79]

Sorry Sean... I didn't realize I didn't post the price, I don't recall offhand.

[phonophan79]

Judging by the serial #, I don't think it's an L-door

Victor VV-XVI - $300 (Prunedale, CA)
http://monterey.craigslist.org/atq/1545245319.html

Might be worth the cost of the reproducer alone?

Victor VV-4-40 - $175 (I-10 Barker Cypress / Katy, TX)
http://houston.craigslist.org/atq/1564805326.html

I imagine this is a fraud posting

Edison Ideal Cylinder Phonograph w.copper patina - £3990 (London)
http://london.craigslist.co.uk/clt/1563528755.html

You need a big table for this tabletop.

Edison B-10 Diamond Disc phonograph - $300 (MOUNT JOY, PA)
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/atq/1562658521.html

Nice looking off-brander, seller claims made in England

Artiste phonograph - $475 (WEST PALM BEACH, FL)
http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/atq/1549776376.html

Don't see too many Sonora tabletops

Sonora tabletop phonograph with lid - $250 (Greenville, SC)
http://greenville.craigslist.org/atq/1541857688.html

even found another

Sonora tabletop phonograph without lid - $395 (High Park)
http://toronto.en.craigslist.ca/tor/atq/1563949532.html

high end Sonora

Sonora Baby Grand phonograph - $300 (Calumet County, WI)
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/atq/1534218384.html

[phonophan79]

Not in the best shape... but kinda scarce as far as Edison machines go...

Edison D-25 Jacobean Diamond Disc phonograph - $100 (Seattle, WA)
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/1561935503.html