Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" find

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
outune
Victor IV
Posts: 1185
Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:13 pm

Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" find

Post by outune »

Hi All- Last Fall I was fortunate to be able to purchase a Circassian Walnut, VE-XVIII that had been in a small warehouse type building on "display" for the past 50+ years. I posted info and a plea for assistance in my original posts-- here is a link to the original thread for those who may want to see it.
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... n+the+wild

I am pleased to report that "I" have finished the restoration and wanted to post some pics-- I put "I" in quotations because without lots of help from forum members and others, the restoration would not be complete. Many offered tips and links to info pages-- I'm a greasy spring guy, so delving in to this "lectricity thing" was a new experience for me. It's always hard to list everyone that helps with a project because inevitably someone gets left out- But those who were most involved in this restoration were:

1) Chuck Azzalina who rebuilt the early Universal Electric motor. It runs smoothly and quietly-

2) Nick Greer--antique restorer and conservator from Purcellville, VA. Nick has done restoration work for the Smithsonian as well as furniture restoration for congressional offices. He did a masterful job repairing a few veneer chips,fabricating a few small pieces of the door beading, repairing and blending a little water damage on the lid, cleaning the original finish and french polishing the machine. Though the original finish was mostly intact, he was very careful to preserve the originality of the piece. I didn't want it super glossy and I couldn't be happier with his work.

3) Geoff Shearer, a close friend and radio collector. Geoff was extremely helpful in checking out the wiring and resistors, giving me the confidence to move forward. We tested the original wiring in numerous places and found it to be in remarkably good condition. Only after his help did I decide to preserve the original wiring harness. It is functioning perfectly.

I did some of the more minor work- I fixed the lid switch which turns on the light when the lid is raised. I supplied the rebuilt gold Exhibition reproducer and replaced the tonearm with one that had better gold plating than the one that came with the machine. I cleaned all the gold plated parts using Jerry B's suggestion of ammonia, cleaned the resistors, and I re-soldered a loose part on the light bulb cartridge.

So- I take little credit for this restoration-- but it is indeed one of my most satisfying projects in nearly 43 years of collecting. Please enjoy the pictures.

Brad Abell
Attachments
DSCN3250.JPG
DSCN3250.JPG (148.98 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3246.JPG
DSCN3246.JPG (151 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3245.JPG
DSCN3245.JPG (151.1 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3240.JPG
DSCN3240.JPG (149.4 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3243.JPG
DSCN3243.JPG (149.43 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3242.JPG
DSCN3242.JPG (136.71 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3252.JPG
DSCN3252.JPG (138.68 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3255.JPG
DSCN3255.JPG (149.94 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3265.JPG
DSCN3265.JPG (136.88 KiB) Viewed 1609 times
DSCN3261.JPG
DSCN3261.JPG (148.92 KiB) Viewed 1609 times

User avatar
Steve Levi
Victor II
Posts: 206
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 3:49 am
Location: Indiana

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by Steve Levi »

Thanks for sharing. That is one big, beautiful Victrola!!! Your friends and you did a wonderful job. Steve L.

User avatar
TinfoilPhono
Victor IV
Posts: 1925
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:48 pm
Location: SF Bay Area, Calif.

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by TinfoilPhono »

Wow. I'm speechless. That is an absolutely gorgeous machine.

tomb
Victor IV
Posts: 1381
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 10:46 pm
Location: riverside calif

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by tomb »

Very good job of restoring a rare phonograph. Thanks for the pictures. Tom

Online
User avatar
Phono-Phan
Victor V
Posts: 2465
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:38 pm
Location: Plover, WI

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by Phono-Phan »

WOW :shock: :shock: :shock: That is one great looking machine. Congrats!!!

User avatar
phonogfp
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 7384
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 5:08 pm
Personal Text: "If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will." - A. Lincoln
Location: New York's Finger Lakes

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by phonogfp »

I can't anything to what's already been said - - but I'm feelin' it, Brad! Beautiful!

George P.

User avatar
Phonolair
Victor III
Posts: 597
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:23 pm
Location: Michigan

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by Phonolair »

Stunning machine Brad.
The machine ended up in the right hands for proper preservation.
Congratulations

Larry Crandell

GregVTLA
Victor III
Posts: 516
Joined: Sat Oct 14, 2017 5:40 pm
Personal Text: Greg
Location: Central Maryland

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by GregVTLA »

I've had the pleasure of seeing this machine in person BEFORE the restoration, and it was truly a gorgeous find. Now, it must look amazing! Congrats Brad!

User avatar
fran604g
Victor VI
Posts: 3988
Joined: Mon Mar 04, 2013 2:22 pm
Personal Text: I'm Feeling Cranky
Location: Hemlock, NY

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by fran604g »

Beautiful, Brad! Seeing Circassian Walnut just never becomes routine.

Best,
Fran
Francis; "i" for him, "e" for her
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.

User avatar
rgordon939
Victor V
Posts: 2563
Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 2:41 pm
Location: Linden, NJ 07036
Contact:

Re: Update: VE XVIII Circassian Walnut-- "in the wild" fin

Post by rgordon939 »

Absolutely beautiful machine.

Rich Gordon

Post Reply