VV-CHIPPENDALE 500

[TVfuzz]

So far, I have found everything but:

• The motor (I feel like this will be hard to find)
• One needle drawer (probably harder than that motor to find).
• The knobs for the rear two Smith&Wesson doors (probably harder than the needle drawer to find).
• The escutcheon/key-hole for the bottom front set of doors (I've just accepted having to make one by resin-casting).

I haven't ordered a lid support yet, because I'm holding out hope for a gold one.... Even though all this is supposed to be frosted "antique gold", I figure I can get original gold parts and enjoy that until I buy a complete unit at some point with that hardware, and sacrifice the needs of the many for the needs of the one.

The back doors and horn access panel have restored nicely, motor deck is clamped right now, but will turn out the same.
As for the front doors... I can't do anything to them unless/until they un-warp. So those are just sitting in their found condition in my house. The lower two front doors are nearly flat.. But I can't reglue veneer on a less than perfect door. Kind of just biding my time with other stuff while I wait and see.
Maybe there's some place that can try steaming them or something... For now I'm just going to give it a few months and see if they return on their own.

[wjw]

Is the Credenza (8-30) a four spring motor? I'm wondering if it's the same one.

[TVfuzz]

Yep, that's it. The diagram and part ID are shown on my motor plate.

One of these guys:

[TVfuzz]

New pics.

So I'm near complete. Thanks to rizbone for the amazing help!

I have two areas to patch veneer, then the escutcheon? (keyhole) bit goes on the central lower door. There's also a small piece missing on the lower-left door that I'm going to patch. From then, I need to make (or in a perfect dream-world, FIND) a small needle drawer/pull for the other side of the turntable area (yeah, and I'm sure a correct period key would be in it too, right??!). And I've been thinking of ways to repair the little gouge marks around the turntable area (typical screwdriver pry marks... Not really noticeable but in pics they show more).

I cut down and had a shop (Bluechip out of Waite Park, MN) weld in an extension to get the right length crank (and they did an absolutely amazing job!).

It plays beautifully. I was lucky enough to find an Exhibition reproducer and rebuilt it. At first it was rattly and didn't sound good. Amazing what a half turn of a spring adjustment screw makes! I'm blown away by the fidelity these things are capable of once the machine is properly balanced and rebuilt. My girlfriend was also impressed (Victrola still works on the ladies!).

Keep in mind, this is the ORIGINAL finish. I did no stripping or staining, other than to darken the area in need of veneer replacement.

Now if I could only locate a minty set of matching album books to go in her.... hahahha (yeah right).

Thanks guys, for all your info. And as always, ANY info on these specific period models, is appreciated. Mine is the 16th one produced of this Chippendale style.

[TVfuzz]

Here are the two before/now pics together (kinda fun to see them at the same time... She was SO CLOSE to being thrown out and burned. They couldn't sell it for $40!
If I wouldn't have been around to take it for free, they would have burned it I'm told.

Whew!





And it sings again like new (I assume)!

[gramophone78]

Very impressive and stunning. Now you just need to find a spot for it....don't worry, we ALL have this problem.... .

By the way, you may want to look for a old Victrola that you can get a right size piece of veneer from and a good cabinet guy would make the small door look 100% original...... . This machine certainly warrants it.

[FloridaClay]

An amazing find and you've done a really good job with it. Congratulations and thanks for saving this rare old beauty.

As far as the missing needle drawer is concerned, have you tried George Vollema? Granted these machines are so rare that the chances are slim, but he has rummaged through his warehouses and pulled a rabbit out of the hat for me more than once.

Clay

[phonogfp]

Nice work!

Congratulations on saving this. There's real satisfaction in knowing that an antique phonograph (especially a rare one) would not exist if not for your intervention.

...But it looks like someone absent-mindedly hung a curtain tassel on your nice phonograph...

George P.

[OrthoSean]

Very nice!

Not to pick nits, but your machine would have come with a #2 reproducer rather than an Exhibition.

Good luck finding those albums, I had a few of them that I foolishly gave away to another member here since I never thought I'd find a period model of my own (who since sold his machine - bah). I did find one last year, but I've instead filled mine with matching, much later albums which at least look good and won't fall apart.

Sean

[Garret]

Very nice!

Not to pick nits, but your machine would have come with a #2 reproducer rather than an Exhibition.

Good luck finding those albums, I had a few of them that I foolishly gave away to another member here since I never thought I'd find a period model of my own (who since sold his machine - bah). I did find one last year, but I've instead filled mine with matching, much later albums which at least look good and won't fall apart.

Sean

Hmmm.