What wood is this Victrola?

Discussions on Talking Machines & Accessories
52089
Victor VI
Posts: 3836
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm

What wood is this Victrola?

Post by 52089 »

I'm planning to go look at a common VV-XI this week. The pictures I've been sent are in low light, but based on the attached, I'm intrigued. The grain inside the lid suggests walnut, which is unusual on an XI. There is some evidence of walnut grain on the body, but the overall color suggests mahogany.

Thoughts? Opinions?
Attachments
Vic XI 2.JPG
Vic XI.jpg
Vic XI.jpg (19.27 KiB) Viewed 2121 times

estott
Victor Monarch
Posts: 4176
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:23 pm
Personal Text: I have good days...this might not be one of them
Location: Albany NY

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by estott »

I'd say Walnut- I've read that it was an option on the later examples. The color exterior color is probably due to age and dirt, and you'll probably find some of the pieces are poplar or some secondary wood stained.

User avatar
Henry
Victor V
Posts: 2624
Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:01 am
Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by Henry »

Hard to tell from the photos, but my immediate impression on seeing the top (cabinet) photo was "mahogany." It's true that under the lid doesn't seem to match the exterior, but there are a number of variables that could be in play here, chiefly the light (angle, intensity). Plus, in addition to walnut, the XI was offered in "English Brown (Mahogany)," according to LFTD, p. 92 (see also p. 14), which the underlid photo suggests to me. It'll be interesting to hear what you think after you've seen this one in person. Be sure to let us know!

User avatar
startgroove
Victor III
Posts: 887
Joined: Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:01 pm
Location: Coos Bay, Oregon

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by startgroove »

The under-lid photo shows a grain which is typical of walnut. The other photo is too oblique of an angle to tell what kind of wood it is. A straight on shot, using a flash or bright lighting, would help show what kind of wood it is. From what I'm seeing, I'm leaning toward walnut.

User avatar
FellowCollector
Victor V
Posts: 2104
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:22 pm
Contact:

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by FellowCollector »

American Walnut.

Doug

User avatar
Mr Grumpy
Victor III
Posts: 831
Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 5:59 pm
Location: Ontario Canada

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by Mr Grumpy »

I tried brightening the image slightly but I don't think it helped much.
I'm pretty certain it's American Walnut though.
Vic XI 2.JPG
Vince
Youtube

52089
Victor VI
Posts: 3836
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by 52089 »

Thanks for all the opinions. I agree this is likely (American) walnut. I am in contact with the seller and hope to be able to see it - and probably pick it up - in the next day or two.

User avatar
De Soto Frank
Victor V
Posts: 2687
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2010 1:27 pm
Location: Northeast Pennsylvania

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by De Soto Frank »

The shot of the playing area looks like American Walnut to me... looks like a post-1917 machine, with the "Fat arm" and # 2 sound box.


Finish looks fairly decent, if a bit dirty...


Please keep us posted.


:coffee:
De Soto Frank

JerryVan
Victor Monarch Special
Posts: 6699
Joined: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:08 pm
Location: Southeast MI

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by JerryVan »

Made from the wood of the walnut tree.

52089
Victor VI
Posts: 3836
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:54 pm

Re: What wood is this Victrola?

Post by 52089 »

The seller called me today to tell me that the family has decided to keep the machine.

Post Reply