advice?

[Nat]

http://cgi.ebay.com/VICTOR-V-Talking-Ma ... 2eaeae35f2

Any input or advice on this? I've been wanting an external-horn machine, but given prices, I need to start with a fixer-up, and I'm willing to wait for parts to come available.

Clearly, this needs a new horn, a new crank (?), and the thingy that goes in the "keyhole" at the front, and a massive reproducer re-build. But it's close to home, and if the price doesn't go too high...

What does the metal plate say? I can't make it out, but someone who knows what to expect might know?

I may do this, but I'm looking for advice from those of you who know much more than I do, as to what you think I might be getting into...

Thanks in advance.

Nat

[oldtvsandtoys]

Name plate looks like it from a Vic 2, But all the parts are not. Dont know where he found the horn. But yes I would bid on it and did. It would always make a good parts set.

[Uncle Vanya]

Well, the plate and cabinet are genuine Victor II. The back bracket would be right if it is old. The motor appears to have been replaced with a single-sprubg GI unit from the late 'twenties or 'thirties. The crank is from a Western Electric telephone, and the horn appears to be a cut-off Mesco radio horn.

Pity, I need a good Mesco horn just now!

[Nat]

Thanks - now don't bid too high!

[EdiBrunsVic]

The above comments have been good. You are dealing with a machine that needs a lot of work, but there is a good base there. I have been looking for an external horn phonograph too, but this one would not really interest me. If you have resources and time to restore it, go for it. It will be interesting to see how high the bids go. I would also consider looking at other possibilities.

[Jerry B.]

You'll need:
Motor $200
Crank $30 (maybe more)
Horn Elbow $150 ($100 reproduction)
Elbow clip & screw $35
Speed Control $20
Horn $250 for a nice one down to $100 for a repainted one.
Top board release $25

You will have to deal with an extra crank hole because of the incorrect motor. Also, I'm assuming that the back bracket has not been modified to accommodate the incorrect horn. Any time you have such a marriage of parts, even correct ones, there's the possibility that all the bright parts will need to be plated.

My above price estimates may seem high but I'll bet they are close to the mark. Unless you really enjoy a project, you're probably better off to buy a complete and original machine. I'm taking a nice Vic I with brass bell horn to CAPS. All the parts have been through the decades together and the price is $850. It's a better value than trying to complete a parts machine. Jerry Blais

[Jerry B.]

I forgot to consider the turntable... If the motor is incorrect, the turntable is probably also wrong. An original cast iron Victor turntable will set you back close to $100. It's possible that a late Vic II would have a sheet metal turntable and that would be less than a cast iron one. Jerry Blais

[Jerry B.]

The other way to look at the ebay Vic II is to think of it as an empty case with a name tag (a plus), a plunger brake (a plus), and probably an extra crank hole ( a big minus) plus a questionably modified original back bracket. You really need to think before you bid much on this auction.

How do I get rid of my duplicate posting? Jerry

[AZ*]

Jerry is spot on. These fixer-uppers can cost more in the long run if you have to buy replacement parts. In many cases, a complete, original machine is a better deal.

However, there are exceptions. Several years ago I spotted a basket case Victor III that was missing its horn, elbow and Exhibition soundbox. As it turned out, I already had the spare parts on hand necessary to complete the machine. If I hadn't, I would probably have needed to spend $400 to $500 for the parts.

[Valecnik]

I'm generally in agreement with JerryB, (which concerns me a bit).

I would not go much higher than the $97 that it's at right now. Projects, incomplete machines are okay but this is probably more of a project than I'd be willing to handle.

Jerry,

In the middle of your post you should see an exclamation mark and an "x". Click on the "x" and it will prompt you to delete your duplicate post. I thought the duplicate post was just because you wanted to emphasise your point.