Hi everyone,
Please forgive my ignorance but did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
This is perplexing me because I own an early table top VV-X (S/N 2470 dating it to 1910) that doesn't have its original key. Other Victrola keys don't work on it. It seems that the part of the lock that goes into the hollow key barrel is too thick and as a result common Victrola keys don't fit.
Am I correct in saying early models used a different key? I can live without the key but am curious.
Thank you.
Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
- oliver
- Victor I
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- Victor V
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Don't know if this will help you, but I spotted this from https://oldcrank.com/articles/keys/keys.html :
(Click to Enlarge)
OrthoFan
OrthoFan
- oliver
- Victor I
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Great info! Thank you for posting. My appetite for the right key is being stimulated.
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- Victor II
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Thanks for listing your Victrola model and the serial number.
According to the Victor parts listing the common key Part Number 1465WN is specified for your serial number. The WN suffix refers to the white nickel finish as contrasted with GP for gold plated. The specs are the same other than the finish.
Here are the dimensions. If you have 20¢ and a WayBack machine you could go pick one up from your dealer.
Mark
According to the Victor parts listing the common key Part Number 1465WN is specified for your serial number. The WN suffix refers to the white nickel finish as contrasted with GP for gold plated. The specs are the same other than the finish.
Here are the dimensions. If you have 20¢ and a WayBack machine you could go pick one up from your dealer.
Mark
- oliver
- Victor I
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Thank you for the useful info; I appreciate it. The mystery deepens as I've tried 3 common Victrola keys and none worked/fit. Will try again with the lock out and well lubed. It will be good news if it needs a common key. Thanks.
- oliver
- Victor I
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Well I figured it out. At first, I was really hesitant to take the lock out as I don't like removing screws from such old wood but I just did it. It turns out the lock screws were loose. Then upon pulling the lock out, it became obvious that someone messed with it in the past as it is broken and incomplete. I am pretty sure a common key would fit otherwise. Disappointing, but mystery solved.
Thank you again to members who contributed to this thread.
Oliver
Thank you again to members who contributed to this thread.
Oliver
- Curt A
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
You might check with George Vollema www.victroladoctor.com or www.thephonographshop.com to see if they might have a working Victrola lock to replace your broken one.
"The phonograph is not of any commercial value."
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
Thomas Alva Edison - Comment to his assistant, Samuel Insull.
"No one needs a Victrola XX, a Perfected Graphophone Type G, or whatever you call those noisy things."
My Wife
- Phono-Phan
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
I might have a replacement lock mechanism. Can you email me a picture? It should take the standard V key.
- oliver
- Victor I
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Thank you Ken. I will send pics over the weekend. I know I have a couple of locks somewhere but can't remember whether they were Victor of Columbia. I'm going to look for those first and keep you posted.
Thanks to you, 3 of my machines are now 100% complete with the correct hardware. Many thanks for all your help!!!
Thanks to you, 3 of my machines are now 100% complete with the correct hardware. Many thanks for all your help!!!
- oliver
- Victor I
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Re: Did early Victrolas use a different cabinet key?
Here's a view of the early VV-X. It could use cosmetics but I'm not interested in restoring it; I just want to preserve it.
You may be able to spot the very tiny tone arm base screws...
You may be able to spot the very tiny tone arm base screws...