Early Weathered Oak VV-XI Table Model Victrola Serial #1173

[FellowCollector]

I rarely post still pictures of phonographs in my collection here on the Forum but thought that a couple of you might enjoy seeing this one. It's a recent acquisition.

This is a very early table model VV-XI Victor Victrola wearing its completely original weathered oak finish. The serial number is 1173 as seen on the original ID plate. All that I've done is lube the motor and apply some Olde English lemon oil polish with an old T-shirt of mine.

Please keep in mind as you view the pictures that all were captured outside in natural light. The sun shone very brightly for some pictures so the original finish appears lighter than it actually is. For other pictures the sun was hidden behind clouds thereby yielding a more natural presentation of the original finish. I did my best with taking a few pictures here as it was really hot outside!

Therefore, variations you may notice in the finish are a direct result of the different natural light that I was provided. In person, the original weathered oak finish is superb on this and very even throughout.

The motor is silent running and runs smooth as silk. I haven't rebuilt the reproducer yet but I tried playing this with a spare gold plated Exhibition reproducer in the collection and the sound is awesome.

I have two mahogany table model VV-XI's in the collection but I have never found one in oak so I was pleased to finally find a completely original one.

Anyway, I hope some of you will enjoy the pics. For those who are interested in the videos on my YouTube channel, I'm hoping to post a video of this playing sometime there as well.

Doug

[outune]

Now THAT is a beautiful machine!! I have always like the darker oak finishes-- Congrats on a nice find!

Brad Abell

[Jerry B.]

Very impressive machine. At one time I had a matching oak record cabinet for a VV-XII/XI but it went away. Jerry B.

[miker2001]

A great looking machine in superb condition!!!!

[audiophile102]

Really great condition. Quite nice to see antiques like this are in the hands of someone who can appreciate them. Keep an eye open for a matching record cabinet. This one deserves a good one.

[FellowCollector]

Thanks for all the gracious comments. I would be very pleased to find a matching cabinet for this but that would be a real long shot I'm sure. In the meantime I'm planning to place it atop an oak disc record cabinet that I have.

Doug

[alang]

Thanks for sharing this beautiful machine. I love these early tabletop Victrolas and this one looks stunning with the weathered oak. Congratulations to this rare find.

Andreas

[phonogfp]

I agree with the earlier comments... Great machine in an unusual finish. This is a real collector's machine. In a room with a couple of Victor VIs and Edison Operas, this is the machine that would interest me more.

Congratulations!

George P.

[Victrolacollector]

Nice machine! Nice Find. I just completed a gutted out Mahogany machine, I really like the Oak better.

What type of motor does it have? The one I have is very similar to the wide tooth gear type, however mine has the fine tooth gears. George V. said that he thinks my motor may have been swapped out from a 1913-1915 VV-XI or something. But I am not sure about that since everything lines up with the hole in the case, there are no additional holes drilled in.

[FellowCollector]

What type of motor does it have?

I'll try to post a picture of the motor on mine so that you can compare with yours.

Interestingly, my VV-XI here had an early Condon AutoStop in gold with it (see pics below). The two pieces were placed carefully inside under the lid and just behind the turntable.

There were no instructions for using it but it appears that I need to place the heavyweight "control disc" onto the spindle and extend what I will call the "tongue" out to the last groove of a given record and then tighten the "tongue" down. Then it appears that I would need to sandwich what I will call the "trip device" between the Exhibition reproducer flange and the reproducer body with the knife edge protrusion in the down position.

I still can't get my head around how it would stop the inertia of the spinning turntable with just the weight of the Condon disc sitting on the record label (!) but who knows... It might be fun to see what happens!

Thanks again for the gracious comments. By the way, this is a VERY heavy machine - I'm guessing 80 pounds ! Carrying it from inside the house to our backyard for the photos and then back inside on a hot day was a work out!

Doug