First Restoration - A Success!
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- Victor Jr
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 9:03 pm
First Restoration - A Success!
As many of you probably saw the many questions I posted on this forum a while ago, you probably already know I’ve been working on my first phonograph, the Victor E. After a few weeks of work and cleaning, I’m happy to say that it’s finally done! I tried it out the other day and after some adjustments, it sounds fantastic! Thanks so much to everyone on this forum for all the help you’ve provided. I had a lot of fun doing this and am looking forward to the next one and getting more into this hobby!
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- Victor Jr
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2019 9:03 pm
Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Also, I realize the support arm is from the wrong model, but after some consideration I decided to leave it to preserve the history unique to this machine.
- fran604g
- Victor VI
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Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Congratulations, your E looks marvelous.
Best,
Fran
Best,
Fran
Francis; "i" for him, "e" for her
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.
"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while" - the unappreciative supervisor.
- phonogfp
- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Nice work! Clean, honest age, and not over-restored. Hope you enjoy it for many years.
George P.
George P.
- audiophile102
- Victor IV
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- Personal Text: Say to yourself I am so happy hurray!
- Location: Brookfield, Illinois
Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Yes, congratulations! It is fun restoring antique phonographs. For many of us collecting an playing the period records is part of the fun. Consider what kind of music from the period you like and explore more like it on You Tube.
"You can't take the phonographs nor the money with you, but the contentment the phonographs bring may well make your life better, and happier lives make the world a better place."
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- Victor VI
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- Personal Text: I've got both kinds of music--classical & rag-time.
- Location: South Carolina
Re: First Restoration - A Success!
The Victor E is absolutely charming! You did a nice job saving its originality--it still looks like an early phonograph--while also freshening it up for service. Now you need some old records from back then.
Don Wilson (donniej on the forum) produces the old records better than the originals. He molds from early copies and while they're expensive, you can't wear them out and they sound great. I have two copies of Maple Leaf Rag but I'd have more if I had a job. He did some 1920s jazz 78s that are especially tempting now that I have a late 1920s portable Grafonola.
The brass horn is great. It's not over polished and it's not rotting. I like how you were able to pull the big dent out of the rim--that's touchy stuff. That wood finish glows...cleaned up beautifully.
Now we're all waiting on that Edison Home Model A!
Don Wilson (donniej on the forum) produces the old records better than the originals. He molds from early copies and while they're expensive, you can't wear them out and they sound great. I have two copies of Maple Leaf Rag but I'd have more if I had a job. He did some 1920s jazz 78s that are especially tempting now that I have a late 1920s portable Grafonola.
The brass horn is great. It's not over polished and it's not rotting. I like how you were able to pull the big dent out of the rim--that's touchy stuff. That wood finish glows...cleaned up beautifully.
Now we're all waiting on that Edison Home Model A!
- TinfoilPhono
- Victor V
- Posts: 2032
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 8:48 pm
- Location: SF Bay Area, Calif.
Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Great job -- it looks terrific. You'll be hooked now, but it's a wonderful obsession. 

- Phono-Phan
- Victor V
- Posts: 2815
- Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2012 9:38 pm
- Location: Plover, WI
Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Congrats on a job well done!!! Time to put this one aside and look for the next project. You will soon become a Phono-holic like the rest of us.
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- Victor Monarch Special
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Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Looks very nice. You should be proud of yourself. Jerry Blais
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- Victor IV
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Re: First Restoration - A Success!
Very nice. It is a good feeling when you can bring them back from the dead and have it look so nice. What did you use to clean the brass??? Tom