Wood ID please

[Boyle6]

I don't know if I would go as far as calling it a parts machine, it is just not one that most of us on this board would have much interest in for our ourselves. I feel this way because of events in my own family. Shortly after I got into the old phonographs my sister-in-law found herself really loving listening to the old records that I was purchasing. She and my brother found a Victor XI that had been refinished on the outside very similarly to the machine in the picture - or at least from what I can tell from that picture. The good thing for them is that the owner who had worked over the outside had also gone over all of the mechanics. For a very reasonable sum they brought home a Victrola that they have enjoyed for the past ten years. They also have it in their living room and feel it is a great piece of furniture. I am happy they went this way because they did not expend very much but have a very reliable record player that they enjoy immensely. They also have showed in to all of their friends and have gotten others to appreciate and own machines as well. At the end of the day it was listening and enjoying the music that really attracted my brothers wife and the player just had to look and play well - the machine being 100% authentic was not where her interest was.

[antique1973]

I don't know if I would go as far as calling it a parts machine, it is just not one that most of us on this board would have much interest in for our ourselves. I feel this way because of events in my own family. Shortly after I got into the old phonographs my sister-in-law found herself really loving listening to the old records that I was purchasing. She and my brother found a Victor XI that had been refinished on the outside very similarly to the machine in the picture - or at least from what I can tell from that picture. The good thing for them is that the owner who had worked over the outside had also gone over all of the mechanics. For a very reasonable sum they brought home a Victrola that they have enjoyed for the past ten years. They also have it in their living room and feel it is a great piece of furniture. I am happy they went this way because they did not expend very much but have a very reliable record player that they enjoy immensely. They also have showed in to all of their friends and have gotten others to appreciate and own machines as well. At the end of the day it was listening and enjoying the music that really attracted my brothers wife and the player just had to look and play well - the machine being 100% authentic was not where her interest was.

That's true Boyle, the machine can still have value to those who are not as concerned about
100% originality. I am at times hasty to "condemn" a machine based on the fact that aficionados
like us would normally pass on them. If I could buy the machine for the right price it could
also be an opportunity to learn more about techniques in reversing such damage. A "practice"
machine of sorts.

[Boyle6]

I understand where you are coming from. I don't know how many phonographs I have looked at and dismissed immediately because they are no longer original or from a maker that has any interest to me. I guess it is part of having studied the hobby so much that we have an eye for what these machines should be

[antique1973]

Boyle6, I noticed you have a VE-111. The other machine he is selling appears to be a VE-111 but again the picture is awful so its hard to tell.


http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/atq/1932183361.html


I have been shying away from electrics unless I can find one that I know I
will hold onto for my personal use for a long time. How do you like yours?

[Boyle6]

Antique1973, I actually really like my Electrola 111. At first I did not think I would care for a electric machine, but after owning it I find it is really very nice. The motor is amazingly quiet and really only needs a minimal of service that you can do yourself. It also has a very large horn compared to my XIV's and with the Victor 2 reproducer it really does a good job of filling a room with music. I use it a great deal over the holidays due to it's placement in my home and am always impressed with it when I start using it more frequently during that time of year. Let me know if you would like to see some pictures of mine? The sellers are so poor it is hard to see what the machine really looks like.

[antique1973]

Antique1973, I actually really like my Electrola 111. At first I did not think I would care for a electric machine, but after owning it I find it is really very nice. The motor is amazingly quiet and really only needs a minimal of service that you can do yourself. It also has a very large horn compared to my XIV's and with the Victor 2 reproducer it really does a good job of filling a room with music. I use it a great deal over the holidays due to it's placement in my home and am always impressed with it when I start using it more frequently during that time of year. Let me know if you would like to see some pictures of mine? The sellers are so poor it is hard to see what the machine really looks like.

I would love to see some pics if you get the chance. The electrics can be nice for sampling
more records considering you don't have to crank them up.

I got some pictures of the stripped VV-XI. Its odd that the lid was not touched but perhaps it
was a replacement. Again the pics are not too good, my guess is the seller is using a very old
digital camera or cell phone.

[Boyle6]

Here are some pictures of my VE-111. I agree that it is really nice for looking at number of records. You do not have to wind it and there is practically no mechanical noise as long as the motor grease cups are full. The light is also really nice to have if you are running it in a darkened room.

[antique1973]

That's a beautiful machine Boyle, thanks for posting the pics! I can definitely see the horn is larger than the one on my XVI. I bet the volume is impressive to say the least.

I offered $80 as my top end for the XI. The seller declined and it seems he is
looking for substantially more. I can understand his perspective, but when it
comes down to it there were 800,000 units of this model produced and many of
those have finishes that were not stripped. Odds are I will come across another
XI in the next few months with a good cabinet and in need of minor motor work for $100 or less.

[Boyle6]

Antique, You are making a good call on that machine. $80.00 is really all it is worth. If the case wasn't refinished, it would command a higher price. Given it's current condition it would take a great deal of work for it to be put back into a condition that would be acceptable for you. Better to wait, a much nicer XI will show up for a reasonable price.

[antique1973]

Antique, You are making a good call on that machine. $80.00 is really all it is worth. If the case wasn't refinished, it would command a higher price. Given it's current condition it would take a great deal of work for it to be put back into a condition that would be acceptable for you. Better to wait, a much nicer XI will show up for a reasonable price.

Thanks Boyle, yeah I used to buy just about every machine I could find
when I started out but now I am learning to be more patient and selective.
Things are picking up in my town now, I sold all my machines I wanted to
except my VV-35. Actually one I was going to keep (VV-100) is on the
chopping block and may be sold tomorrow. I cleaned and greased the springs
today and it runs like a dream now. I almost feel like calling off the deal!
I have some plans to pick up an Edison Standard eventually and hopefully a
C-19 so I need the $$$.