Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Cody K · Post by **Cody K** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 8:34 am

Much too far for me to get involved with, but here's an interesting ad featuring a wrecked VV-XIV in oak for sixty bucks, and while it's not featured in the ad, there's what looks like a VV-XVII or maybe even XVIII next to it in the picture. Just thought someone nearby might want to have a look...http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/atq/4923090986.html

These look to be in the seller's basement or shed, and a real mess, but who knows?:

[Edited to fix location in headline: Dover, not Harrisburg, though it's on the Harrisburg list.]

De Soto Frank · Post by **De Soto Frank** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:30 am

Whooof. Are those mouse-droppings on the turn=table ?

Definitely $60- worth of parts in it, but hopefully it's restorable.... looks like it's seen some damp though, judging by the veneer lifting on the crank-side.

I'm out ( at least 2hrs drive one-way ) - someone else please check it out !

Cody K · Post by **Cody K** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:40 am

Yeah, the XIV looks ultra-rough, I'd call it a goner if it were mahogany, but in weathered oak it might be worth a good deal more effort. The bigger point of curiosity for me though is, what's up with that XVII/XVIII? It's clearly not being taken care of, might be in better shape than the XIV, and while for some reason it isn't mentioned in the listing, who knows if the seller might not let it go at a fire-sale price?

Cody K · Post by **Cody K** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 1:45 pm

So, I was flipping around on CL this morning, and I saw that this ad is still up. Hasn't anybody closer to it called about the machine to the left of the XIV? I'll admit, I called and got his voice mail, but can't be arsed to play phone tag since I'm a million miles from it anyway.

Guys! Guys! This is a RED ALERT here! That thing is almost surely either a XVII, or an XVIII, or at least a 125. Who knows how bad it is, or what he might want for it, but given the price of the XIV it might not be much. No clue why it isn't listed in the ad along with the wrecked XIV, but there's a possibility it could be a real score for somebody. No harm trying!

brianu · Post by **brianu** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 3:13 pm

Cody K wrote:So, I was flipping around on CL this morning, and I saw that this ad is still up. Hasn't anybody closer to it called about the machine to the left of the XIV? I'll admit, I called and got his voice mail, but can't be arsed to play phone tag since I'm a million miles from it anyway.

Guys! Guys! This is a RED ALERT here! That thing is almost surely either a XVII, or an XVIII, or at least a 125. Who knows how bad it is, or what he might want for it, but given the price of the XIV it might not be much. No clue why it isn't listed in the ad along with the wrecked XIV, but there's a possibility it could be a real score for somebody. No harm trying!

I'm sure people have tried reaching out to this person already... I did, and he insists that the machine with the bowed cabinet to the side of the XIV is not a victor, but some off brand. he could be misreading the label or decal inside and be misinterpreting a dealer's decal as a manufacturer's decal, but he wasn't the easiest to get a hold of, nor was it at all easy to get more information from him. your best bet would be, if you have the time, to check these out in person. when stuff like this lingers so obviously on craigslist for so long, it's usually for a reason.

Cody K · Post by **Cody K** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 3:25 pm

Hmmm...thanks Brian, that's interesting. Those curves sure look mighty Victor to me, but I'm not gonna argue if he says it's not. Regarding things staying listed for a long while on CL, you just never know. A couple of my machines, including the Actuelle, just sat and sat for over a month until I finally called -- and both were in fine shape, needing only cleaning-up, and not even at all expensive.

I'm way too far away from PA to mess with this more -- just hoping someone else could get a good deal.

brianu · Post by **brianu** » Sat Apr 04, 2015 3:35 pm

Cody K wrote:Hmmm...thanks Brian, that's interesting. Those curves sure look mighty Victor to me, but I'm not gonna argue if he says it's not.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Pathe Logical · Post by **Pathe Logical** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 12:38 pm

Remember to think outside of the (bowed/curved) box --- in this case other than Victor! Manufacturers other than Victor made bowed/curved-sided machines!

Looks like a top-of-the-line Brunswick 35 or 135 (in brown mahogany?) to me. The first two photos are not of the actual machine advertised on CL, but are shown for comparison only. In the fourth photo from the CL adv, the grill is removed revealing the white, oval horn of a Brunswick. On the right side of the cabinet, the key escutcheon can be seen. On the right side panel of the cabinet, the raised decorative molding can be seen.

Somebody close get on this!!!

Bob

Cody K · Post by **Cody K** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 1:46 pm

Bob, I think that's just what the "mystery machine" is! It doesn't quite match up with the profile of the Victor machines. The lid seems to be a bit shallower, and the trademark Victor curves on the front posts definitely aren't there in the picture from the ad that you posted. Now that you've suggested it, I can (almost) clearly see the Brunswick horn. Though at least in that picture the grill is missing, maybe he still has it, loose. The decorative moulding, which is so much beefier than on a Victor, is clearly visible too. Nice sleuthing!

Your machine is a thing of real beauty. I really hope someone is able to rescue the one in Pennsylvania!

Shockers1 · Post by **Shockers1** » Fri May 01, 2015 1:02 am

Greeting fellows, as it took quite some time be accepted for registration. It's a pleasure to be part of this incredible forum! Anyhow, I am the one who eventually purchased the "extremely wrecked oak Victor XVI", & the >>> drum roll please <<< ....... Singer Deluxe Phonograph. Yes folks, it's a Singer Deluxe. Though the Singer cabinet was in very poor shape, it was however salvageable. The singer cabinet was extremely dirty & speckled w/ white oil based paint ~ among other things. I used isopropyl alcohol to emulsify the speckled paint, as it served three different functions. Eradicate the paint, restain, & clean. It looks so much better, & it plays very well.
Unfortunately, I had to scrap the Victor for parts. As it was just too far gone! The cabinet was destroyed by moisture damage, & it was split & cracked in numerous places. But I did salvage a working motor, & the speaker grill assembly. Plus the badge as a small trophy reminder.
Would like to thank everyone who participated in this forum topic. Besides, you're the reason why I made this transaction. I'm very pleased, & yes I am a PHONOHOLIC!!! in closing, would someone be able to elaborate or give more information on the Singer Deluxe? There's barely any information, w/ the exception of a short You Tube video. Thanks again, I appreciate!
Shawn

Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Harrisburg, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Harrisburg, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?

Re: Dover, PA: A wrecked oak XIV, $60 -- and what else?