Question for the experts: Is this a Victor V?

[drh]

Is this really a Victor V case as claimed? The general style is right (although I think the gold bullet brake isn't), but, compared to mine, the sides seem to be set in a good bit further from the edge of the bottom molding.

[Jerry B.]

Yes, it is the cabinet for a Victor V. The brake should be nickel not gold. It would be an uphill battle to complete. It could easily cost more to purchase all the necessary parts compared to buying an already complete Victor V.

Jerry B.

[drh]

Yes, it is the cabinet for a Victor V. The brake should be nickel not gold. It would be an uphill battle to complete. It could easily cost more to purchase all the necessary parts compared to buying an already complete Victor V.

Jerry B.

I wouldn't even consider it, except that, thanks to lousy packing by an eBay seller, my V ended up repaired but chronically injured, and this one has the exact parts I need to replace my repaired-but-still-imperfect ones: the case (mine had one side bashed out; that panel is now back in but cracked into two pieces, and as a consequence of the damage the whole thing needs refinishing) and the motor frame (mine is broken in two and then welded back together). With this donor, I would probably just substitute motors entirely. On the other hand, as noted, this case doesn't exactly match mine, which had a core "box" that comes out closer to the edge of the base molding, and the asking price (with shipping, $850) strikes me as high. Anyhow, thank you for your confirmation and advice!

[Jerry B.]

I was going to reply "problem solved" but the $850 price is crazy. I would think in the $100 to $200 range. Keep looking. Why don't you post a phono a photo of your damaged cabinet. There are craftsmen out there that a magic with wood repair. Jerry B.

[alang]

Based on the Victor Data Book the size of the case has changed between type M and type A, also between type B and C (1917), and again between type C and E. Also, between type M and type A the position of the crank changed, possibly again between type A and B with the change from double cut to quad cut gears. So I would verify the measurements very carefully. Of course, you could keep the motor of the new machine and just transfer the rest.

You could probably recover half of the cost by selling the gold bullet brake, the surplus motor, and the remaining repaired case. It is a pity though that both the Victor tag and also the dealer tag below have been removed from that new case. I would definitely ask the seller if any of these (or other parts) are still available.

Good luck!
Andreas

[drh]

OK, here are some photos. The damage was to the left side panel. The finish wasn't anything to cheer about to begin with (water damage, I think; I've included a shot of the top for another example). To be honest, where I have the machine sitting, the side panel doesn't show, and forum member Ken Danckaert did his customary fine work mating the pieces so the break is invisible (and of welding the motor frame back together, as shown in the motor photo)--it's just that, well, I *know* the thing has been damaged, and it nags at me.

Oh, I should mention that I play it most with Pathé discs, thanks to the nifty vertical cut adapter visible in one of the photos.

[drh]

Based on the Victor Data Book the size of the case has changed between type M and type A, also between type B and C (1917), and again between type C and E. Also, between type M and type A the position of the crank changed, possibly again between type A and B with the change from double cut to quad cut gears. So I would verify the measurements very carefully. Of course, you could keep the motor of the new machine and just transfer the rest.

You could probably recover half of the cost by selling the gold bullet brake, the surplus motor, and the remaining repaired case. It is a pity though that both the Victor tag and also the dealer tag below have been removed from that new case. I would definitely ask the seller if any of these (or other parts) are still available.

Good luck!
Andreas

Your thinking is much along the same lines as mine--sell my leftovers to defray part of the cost of acquiring their replacements. I'll confess, I don't know the difference between double and quad cut gears; here's a general photo of my motor.

[alang]

I'll confess, I don't know the difference between double and quad cut gears; here's a general photo of my motor.

As I understand it, the spiral gears have two spirals cut into it instead of one (or maybe four instead of two?). This corresponds to finer teeth in the other gears as well, leading to a more quiet operation. If you compare early Victor motors with later Victrolas the difference is pretty obvious. Maybe someone else can explain it better?

Andreas

[gramophone-georg]

Yes, it is the cabinet for a Victor V. The brake should be nickel not gold. It would be an uphill battle to complete. It could easily cost more to purchase all the necessary parts compared to buying an already complete Victor V.

Jerry B.

I wouldn't even consider it, except that, thanks to lousy packing by an eBay seller, my V ended up repaired but chronically injured, and this one has the exact parts I need to replace my repaired-but-still-imperfect ones: the case (mine had one side bashed out; that panel is now back in but cracked into two pieces, and as a consequence of the damage the whole thing needs refinishing) and the motor frame (mine is broken in two and then welded back together). With this donor, I would probably just substitute motors entirely. On the other hand, as noted, this case doesn't exactly match mine, which had a core "box" that comes out closer to the edge of the base molding, and the asking price (with shipping, $850) strikes me as high. Anyhow, thank you for your confirmation and advice!

$850?

Save your dough- that cabinet you have would look fine with a refinish- I need to find it (and that's no small task! ), but somewhere in my parts stash I have a V parts motor with the bracket you need on it. If I can find it, it's yours for postage costs.

Save the one you have- why spend that kind of scratch and "save" something else, esp. if it's a little different?

[gramophone-georg]

I'll confess, I don't know the difference between double and quad cut gears; here's a general photo of my motor.

As I understand it, the spiral gears have two spirals cut into it instead of one (or maybe four instead of two?). This corresponds to finer teeth in the other gears as well, leading to a more quiet operation. If you compare early Victor motors with later Victrolas the difference is pretty obvious. Maybe someone else can explain it better?

Andreas

Correct- I made the parts switch on my V because the early motor side noise drove me bat- poop crazy (er). I switched the spindle and single spring barrel with the brass gear is all when I replaced the main and governor springs. It's now almost whisper quiet. I like to hear the music and not the machine! I saved the original bits for when I sell the machine which will likely be very soon...