Victrola VV-IX c.1912 - Is This Normal?

[CDBPDX]

Just got a repair job for a VV-IX ser # 44,3?? (c.1912). It has no horn, just wooden baffles around the motor that I've seen in early VV-IV machines, and a small square hole motor board. Don't think I've ever seen this before. Is this normal for this model? (I've led a sheltered life)

Thanks! Cliff

[De Soto Frank]

Cliff,


The presence of the tab-brake and "crescent" speed control seem right for the 1912-14 era, and from what I can see, the machine does not have "feet", which puts it earlier than 1913-14.


Where is the crank positioned on the side: in the middle ? To the front ? Back ?


The motor-board is intriguing, with the large square center opening, and the extra round holes near the speed control. The large square opening suggests this was originally to accommodate the large cup of the "yielding turntable" ?


I have an IX, with "feet", tab-brake, and speed control as your machine above, but it has the cast-iron horn neck and wooden louvre-box.

I'd say this is a transitional IX... is there a letter suffix to the serial number ?

[CDBPDX]

Cliff,


The presence of the tab-brake and "crescent" speed control seem right for the 1912-14 era, and from what I can see, the machine does not have "feet", which puts it earlier than 1913-14.


Where is the crank positioned on the side: in the middle ? To the front ? Back ?


The motor-board is intriguing, with the large square center opening, and the extra round holes near the speed control. The large square opening suggests this was originally to accommodate the large cup of the "yielding turntable" ?


I have an IX, with "feet", tab-brake, and speed control as your machine above, but it has the cast-iron horn neck and wooden louvre-box.

I'd say this is a transitional IX... is there a letter suffix to the serial number ?

The crank for this machine is near the front. It does not have a suffix letter. The 2 extra holes in the motor board next to the speed adjust knob allow access to the 2 screws securing the spring barrel shaft bracket.

Cliff

[rizbone]

I have a table top VV-X that is set up the same way. I think the holes in the motor board allow you to remove the cast piece holding the spring barrel without removing the motor from the board.

[phonojim]

This is normal for a VV-IX from this period. It appears to be a type B according to the Victor Data Book. I had one of these that was very similar to yours except that the brake was what I refer to as a "Scissor" type which is noted as #1918 in the VDB, but is not illustrated anywhere in the book. It is an interesting design but didn't work very well. Mine had the same adjustment screw and locknut on the back bracket (which I liked better than the pin & setscrew type). Take a careful look at this one and take note of all the various other little differences between these and later models of the VV-IX. I have had several VV-IXs over the years but only one early one. I sort of wish I had kept it just because it was different from most that show up.
@ rizbone: I second you on the purpose of the extra holes. I had forgotten all about them.

Jim

[Jerry B.]

Yes, the open horn is correct for an early IX and a few other table model Victrolas. I've always thought this feature was one of the rare times that Victor sacrificed quality in favor of saving money by using existing motors. Those motors sat in the horn and any motor noise came out through the horn. Can't you almost hear the arguments between the bean counters and quality controllers? Jerry Blais

[CDBPDX]

The Victor Data Book says this machine should have a "Non-Floating" horn, as opposed to a "Floating" horn. This does not have any horn, just the wooden baffles (open horn - *Thanks, Jerry*) on each side of the motor. Is that the "Non-Floating" horn?

Cliff

[EarlH]

Some of them have a board on the bottom at an angle so it looks kind of like the motor is setting inside the horn and the "baffles" are usually angled so it's very hard to see into the horn. I've owned several of those like that.

[Victrolacollector]

I had worked on one of these several years ago for a guy outside of Chicago. It had the same set up with no horn. At first, it baffled me, as a talking machine should have a horn, especially a Victor.

Anyways, best I remember it was hard to find the governor for his machine, I finally located and bought one from Mr. Nix. The machine he had used the earlier style motor with the wide threads on the gearing.

These were transitional machines, and it just seemed that Victor was hodge podge these machines together to get motors to fit.

[Victrolacollector]

Cliff,


The presence of the tab-brake and "crescent" speed control seem right for the 1912-14 era, and from what I can see, the machine does not have "feet", which puts it earlier than 1913-14.


Where is the crank positioned on the side: in the middle ? To the front ? Back ?


The motor-board is intriguing, with the large square center opening, and the extra round holes near the speed control. The large square opening suggests this was originally to accommodate the large cup of the "yielding turntable" ?


I have an IX, with "feet", tab-brake, and speed control as your machine above, but it has the cast-iron horn neck and wooden louvre-box.

I'd say this is a transitional IX... is there a letter suffix to the serial number ?

The one that I have has the feet, it has the speed control with the glass window. I think mine dates to around 1918. By that time it seems they had everything worked out with motors, horns and hardware. I actually prefer the machines without the feet, and of course would have rather had a oak machine than mahogany.

What is interesting with machine, it came with a Victrola No. 2 reproducer, Victor Victrola database site says my serial number should have a Exhibition reproducer.