The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hoping I can get a better sense of how 'over my head' I might get by trying to complete all the things needed for getting our Talking Machine making sounds instead of holding baby stuff. We have a VV-XVII and it is missing most all major components. I had sent some pictures to a professional to get a sense of what all would be needed. Here is the list:
- 4 spring motor and potentially would need a rebuild or a mechanical cleaning
- 4 main springs
- 4 spring labors
- 1 reproducer rebuild
- turntable with felt installed
- 1 motor board crank
- 1 crank

I am hoping to get a better sense if this list would require a person to send it to get all of these items fixed or installed in order to get my machine working. Or, would a person with pretty good mechanical sense be able to work through these to get it working.

Thanks to anyone who has any insight or recommendations. I can provide any pictures if that would be helpful.

Pictures would definitely help - inside and out.

George P.

A Victrola XVII is a high end model and generally worth the effort to make it a presentable machine. The list you present is really not a daunting one. I agree with George about some good photos.

Jerry Blais

I agree with the others, we need pics. If you are at all mechanically inclined, it is not rocket science to work on these. Before you send it off to an "expert", please get an idea of what he is intending to charge you for these repairs and post the answer here to get proper advice.

Your list:- 4 spring motor and potentially would need a rebuild or a mechanical cleaning
- 4 main springs
- 4 spring labors
- 1 reproducer rebuild
- turntable with felt installed
- 1 motor board crank
- 1 crank

Since you said you are new to this hobby, a few questions are in order (sorry if these seem too basic):
How was this list determined?
Do you have a crank? (they are "L" shaped with a wooden handle and available from various sources - It fits in the hole on the side of your cabinet)
Do you have a turntable and motor board or are they missing? What do you mean by motor board crank? (the motor board is what holds the motor in place, so unless your motor is loose and uninstalled, it should be there holding the motor in place).
Without a crank, it is hard to determine whether your machine needs main springs replaced - if it winds up and runs steady, you probably don't need to replace them.
Your motor probably needs cleaning and lubrication and a reproducer rebuild is a normal procedure (both of these are easily accomplished).
You can learn to do these maintenance things yourself, so you don't have to pay someone for easy fixes...

Curt

Here is the actual price quote:

4 spring motor. We would need you to send in the motor board unless you want to try to install it and set the speed etc.
Motor as-is just running is $125 with grease pumped into the springs.
Here are the other options that can be done
Motor work ( 78 rpm player)
1 Complete motor cleaning $120 ( Complete strip down of entire motor . includes frame, gears and everything associated with motor)
OR
2 Mechanical cleaning $85 (This is a complete cleaning of all gears,shafts,bearings. Basically everything but the frame)


Main springs
4 New main springs $200 ( should last another 80+ yrs,as long as not over wound)
4 Spring labors $152
OR
4 Clean/re grease 2nd spring $76
OR
4 Just pump grease in the springs $40

1 Reproducer rebuilt $125
1 Turntable with felt installed $45
1 Motor board knob $7.50
1 Crank $35-$55 ( nickle only)
1 Needle cup $25 ( Nickel)

I added it up to be about $750 or so...which seemed pretty reasonable to get an antique unit operating again. However, I definitely see the value in doing a lot of repairs and fixes yourself in effort to gain a better understanding of how the machine works.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and input.

I missed one part of your post: "We have a VV-XVII and it is missing most all major components."

What, exactly, do you mean by "major components"?
Here is a simple list of major components:
Cabinet - you obviously have one... it should have a lid on top and doors in front - do you have them?
Under the lid: Tonearm with reproducer - do you have them? Turntable - do you have one? Motor board and motor - do you have both, or are they both missing? On motor board, if you have one: speed control and brake - do you have them?

If you are missing the motor, motor board, crank, tonearm and reproducer, they are potentially easy to find, but may take time to find the correct ones. This is a great place to find those parts...

Curt

Sorry this is redundant: I didn't see your last post before I replied.
Personally, I think $750 is too much, but others can reply to see if they agree... I'm not sure what the current value of a VV-XVII is...

Also, if you don't mind, who gave you this quote?
Again, if you have any mechanical ability, all of these things can be done by you...

After seeing your pictures, you would be better finding a motor that has already been serviced from someone on the forum. You also need a reproducer, which you could buy already rebuilt and the correct crank for your machine. Honestly, rebuilding a reproducer costs less than $5, plus some of your time. If the motor you buy is working, you don't need springs and installation. A turntable is easy to find and gluing felt on it is not a huge job.

For these parts, you might try George Vollema or Ron Sitko (do a search on the forum for their contact info). Tell them what you have and they will know what you need. OR, post a wanted list on the Yankee Trader section of the forum and I'm sure someone will be able to help...

jayelpiplou0613-
Where is your general location?? Mid-west?, Mid-Atlantic? I have all the parts you would need out in the garage on my parts shelves. I'm sure many other forum members have them as well. So, depending on your location, you could likely find a parts and knowledge source fairly close to you.
If you're willing to do a little guided sweat equity, you can get this desirable machine up and running for a very reasonable cost. A rebuilt motor can be found on Ebay from time to time for under $150-- Check the current 'sold' listings and always ask what "rebuilt" means to the seller. As Jerry mentioned, getting this machine up and running is not a "daunting task". Parts for these machines are readily available.

Brad Abell

Ohmygosh - - I agree with the others. If you lived across the street from me, we could have your machine up and running in about 45 minutes. The parts you need are pretty common. The hardest ones will probably be the casters!

Your location will expedite this project.

Best of luck - -

George P.

Thanks everyone for your guidance and support. You have certainly helped validate my thinking that it is totally doable to complete myself. Great to have an excellent resource like this to help me out along the way with questions I have.

I live in Seattle, WA. I have done some looking locally, but have primarily been on Ebay. Great recommendation for how to look at Ebay and to look into what 'rebuilt' means.

I do have the casters, the crank, needle tins and bags of needles. Not sure if they are good or not though.