Buy or Pass

[Victrolacollector]

I saw this cabinet for a VV 440 at a antique shop, the motor, motor board and tone arm and reproducer are missing.

The plate says VV 4-40.

The price is 87.00...What do you all think? It will need some cabinet restoration, and definitely all the parts.

[JerryVan]

Pass. Unless a machine is particularly rare or you just always wanted one, piecing machines together is seldom worthwhile from a cost or time point of view.

[52089]

Pass. Maybe for $20 on Craigslist, but only if you wanted to make it into a bar or storage cabinet.

[Wolfe]

Pass. Even if it was free.

[Phonofreak]

Peeeew, Stay away from this!! . To get all the parts will cost more than the machine is worth. Wait for a better, complete example.
Harvey Kravitz

[Victrolacollector]

Thank you fellow members.

I have passed on that. Like you have all said the time and money on parts will be more than its worth plus restoring the finish.

I am figuring this would be well over 300.00 in parts.

Tone arm and reproducer ....over 100.00
Motor board.....over 25.00
crank....over 25.00
Motor over 100.00
Turntable .... Over 20.00

[Uncle Vanya]

Another vote for pass here.

The 4-40 is a really nice sounding, and sadly under-appreciated machine, but it is not a high dollar item. Heck if you are going to Union ( or are along my route to Union from Southern MIchigan) I have a 4-40 in really nice original condition, with an exceptionally good, fine finish, needing only the usual horn sealing and reproducer rebuild, that you could have for $250 delivered.

If you are looking for a bigger machine, I have a spare Credenza whichis quite presentable. Spring motor, nice cabinet which has had a decent refinishing, but is just a bit too light for my taste. This machine has already had the horn sealed and the motor serviced, and it would only be $350 with a decent reproducer that could benefit from a fresh isolator and ball bearings.

Then should you want a real rarity, I have a nice Revere, with a great finish which would only be a little more than the Credenza.

Can anyone tell that the Better a Half spent most of yesterday "Discussing " my phonograph accumulation?

[Steve]

Pass. Even if it was FREE (including shipping) and the owner had all the original parts and offered to restore it.

[Uncle Vanya]

Pass. Even if it was FREE (including shipping) and the owner had all the original parts and offered to restore it.

Now isn't that just a little harsh? The 4-40 is, when restored, a really nice sounding machine, rather better sounding that its predecessor the Granada/4-4. It wears records to a negligable extent, and is an all-around perfect basic machine for a record collector. It's styling, while not to everyone's taste, works well as part of the decoration of a room. It is a sort of vaguely English modern design which harmonizes well with most types of traditional furniture. The rather self-effacing character of the design of this machine makes it a less-than-perfect collector's specimen, however, for when surrounded by more flamboyant machines it does tend to look a bit dumpy.

[Wolfe]

I wonder if that 4-40 has it's grille cloth. Does anyone make available reproductions?

I like my 4-40. It is a good all round player for period appropriate records.