The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I thought I'd post some photos of a long-standing project I finally finished last week, a 1928 victor VV-8-8 orthophonic schoolhouse machine - the design that was later modified a bit to create the 8-9 for in-home use. the 8-8 was one of those victrolas used in schools, churches and other public places because, despite its size, it's extremely portable... there's a handle on the rear and two recessed wheels at the bottom, so you can basically tilt it back like a hand truck and then just wheel it around.

I found the completely gutted cabinet on ebay five or six years ago - I imagine someone had been using it for storage or as a bar (they only made about 1200 of these, so I jumped at the chance even though it was pretty far away and I had to arrange for transportation that cost four or five times what I paid for the cabinet itself). then gradually, as the cabinet sat in a garage for the intervening years, I found the remaining parts, including a horn and all the antique bronze hardware, motor and motor board, etc., and finally starting getting it all together when free time presented itself over the past summer (turned out to be one of those projects that probably cost more to complete than it's now worth, but eh, it had to be done). I wish I'd taken some before photos.

it only has a two-spring motor, but the all-metal orthophonic horn - the same one used in the 8-9 and 8-35 - combined with the walt-somers-rebuilt reproducer blows away my credenza volume-wise. it also makes use of the sort of needle dispenser found in the VV-50's, and on the back, if you can see in the photos, there's a large tray that tilts out... it's such a cool design.

Very Nice, I have an 8-9 for the third time in my life, have loved them all.

Jerry F Bacon ♫♫

Very Nice Brian. That model has a simple utilitarian look, while at the same time a very elegant look. Good work.

brianu wrote:turned out to be one of those projects that probably cost more to complete than it's now worth, but eh, it had to be done.

I think you have just described most of my projects right there.

Nice job! There's a special satisfaction in knowing that without your efforts, that completed machine would not, and likely would never exist.

George P.

The only thing it needs is the proper turntable covering. The 8-8's I've seen have turntables covered with the same leatherette used on the portable cases. This is a minor quibble- it's an ugly thing to put on a turntable and the felt is better on the records.

Nice work, Brian!

Great machine and nice restoration. Thanks for sharing.
Andreas

Brian, Thanks for sharing your machine and a bigger thanks for your efforts to restore an unusual machine. Sometimes you do things as a labor of love. My wife, DeeDee, is a retired public music school teacher so I've collected machines that music teachers would have used over the years. It's a collection within a collection. I checked my 8-8 and 8-7 and they both have turntable felt that appears to be the same color as yours. Both of my machines came through collector's hands so something may have been changed but I thought they were correct. Jerry Blais

This model has a nice art deco look, that I much prefer over the more elaborate Credenza type models. That may also one of the reasons why the HMV orthophonic models are so much more sought after.