Victrola VV 8-9

[David F]

I had assumed you had taken the tonearm and bracket off and that is how the screw went down into the horn. Otherwise the screw is probably just stuck between the bracket and tone arm.

On those later Orthophonics with metal horns Victor used a rubber gasket between the horn and bracket assembly instead of the earlier felt gasket. The rubber usually becomes gooey then turns almost solid and sticks the bracket base and horn together. The only way I have successfully made them release is to unbolt the bass bracket from the horn and remove the bolts. Slip paper under the base around it between it and the wood so you do not scar the wood and then start twisting the bracket back and forth with brute strength and awkwardness. If you can get a hair dryer near the coupling form behind in the cabinet that may help make the rubber release as well. Good luck and one has to have finesse when doing this and feel just how much force to use. Do not use the tonearm as a lever for the twisting back and forth. You will snap the little brass pin in the back that limits it travel back and forth besides denting the arm against the bracket. You could also try carefully prying the bracket up carefully. But not too force ably.

By the way you will have to replace the rubber gasket as it will go to pieces.

Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN

Thank you! I will try once again to get it off this afternoon.

[David F]

You have a good looking Victrola. Perhaps Ron Sitko (contact information in the Links Section) can help with parts.

Thanks. I will try once again to take the bracket off today and from the sounds of things if I get it off I will need a new gasket as well.

[David F]

I had assumed you had taken the tonearm and bracket off and that is how the screw went down into the horn. Otherwise the screw is probably just stuck between the bracket and tone arm.

On those later Orthophonics with metal horns Victor used a rubber gasket between the horn and bracket assembly instead of the earlier felt gasket. The rubber usually becomes gooey then turns almost solid and sticks the bracket base and horn together. The only way I have successfully made them release is to unbolt the bass bracket from the horn and remove the bolts. Slip paper under the base around it between it and the wood so you do not scar the wood and then start twisting the bracket back and forth with brute strength and awkwardness. If you can get a hair dryer near the coupling form behind in the cabinet that may help make the rubber release as well. Good luck and one has to have finesse when doing this and feel just how much force to use. Do not use the tonearm as a lever for the twisting back and forth. You will snap the little brass pin in the back that limits it travel back and forth besides denting the arm against the bracket. You could also try carefully prying the bracket up carefully. But not too force ably.

By the way you will have to replace the rubber gasket as it will go to pieces.

Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN

Thanks for the tip! I got it off. However I still can’t find the missing screw. I think it may have got caught in the La Brea Tar Pit that is the gasket. Although I must admit, the gasket does seem to be in better shape than I assumed it would be.

[need4art]

You must live in New Mexico as the machine was posted on Facebook there. I have always wanted one of those machines as living in AZ our home is decorated in a South West fashion. Talked with the man who owned it and he sent me some really great pictures of it-who told me he was clearing out his office. This is a great machine to own and yours has all of the correct hardware which is hard to find.

By the way don't mess with the color on it-the paint that was used is poly-chrome, which is no longer produced and acrylics just don't look right Tempura paints will get close but will still not get you a actual match. I do art restoration and finding one of these machines with really good paint is hard as most have been messed with. Be very careful cleaning around and on the painted areas.

But for $300 i was tempted to drive over and get it-glad it went to a member of the forum.

Abe

[ChesterCheetah18]

That's a steal at $300!! Very scarce and neat machines. Nice buy!

Thanks! Now I really got to be sure I don’t mess this up. Lol

LOL I wouldn't get too worried. It's a pretty easy fix. An original gold pivot pin and set screw shouldn't be hard to find. Try George Vollema. The big plus you have is it's the original support bracket and not broken. Hopefully the set screw didn't fall through on the back side of the tonearm but you'll know soon enough when you put it back together.
I think you'll be very happy with it. I bought mine about 12 years ago and it's one of my favorites. They're just so unique for a Victor, and as need4art said, be VERY careful with that polychrome. Once it's gone, it's gone.

Steve

[JerryVan]

As others have warned, be careful with that blue/green paint! Most people think it looks dirty, due to the shading around the edges. It's NOT dirty, it's supposed to look like that. A bunch of these wonderful machines have been screwed up by well meaning folks who want to clean them.

Also, do NOT, under any circumstances, try to clean, vacuum or even touch the speaker cloth. It's extremely fragile and will crumble at the least touch. There is no modern replacement for it that will look correct.

You have found an excellent example at a very good price. Go slow & ask lots of questions!

[David F]

You must live in New Mexico as the machine was posted on Facebook there. I have always wanted one of those machines as living in AZ our home is decorated in a South West fashion. Talked with the man who owned it and he sent me some really great pictures of it-who told me he was clearing out his office. This is a great machine to own and yours has all of the correct hardware which is hard to find.

By the way don't mess with the color on it-the paint that was used is poly-chrome, which is no longer produced and acrylics just don't look right Tempura paints will get close but will still not get you a actual match. I do art restoration and finding one of these machines with really good paint is hard as most have been messed with. Be very careful cleaning around and on the painted areas.

But for $300 i was tempted to drive over and get it-glad it went to a member of the forum.

Abe

Haha, yes I do. Southern New Mexico but I was up in Albuquerque that weekend.

As for the paint, do you think using Kotton Klenser should be ok? I was planning on using some to give it a cleaning but I didn’t want to mess with the paint.

[JerryVan]

You must live in New Mexico as the machine was posted on Facebook there. I have always wanted one of those machines as living in AZ our home is decorated in a South West fashion. Talked with the man who owned it and he sent me some really great pictures of it-who told me he was clearing out his office. This is a great machine to own and yours has all of the correct hardware which is hard to find.

By the way don't mess with the color on it-the paint that was used is poly-chrome, which is no longer produced and acrylics just don't look right Tempura paints will get close but will still not get you a actual match. I do art restoration and finding one of these machines with really good paint is hard as most have been messed with. Be very careful cleaning around and on the painted areas.

But for $300 i was tempted to drive over and get it-glad it went to a member of the forum.

Abe

Haha, yes I do. Southern New Mexico but I was up in Albuquerque that weekend.

As for the paint, do you think using Kotton Klenser should be ok? I was planning on using some to give it a cleaning but I didn’t want to mess with the paint.

I'm certain Abe will give you good advice. Mine would be, leave the paint alone! The toning is subtle, delicate and easily removed/damaged. It looks great without any help after 93 years, it doesn't need any help now. Also, please realize that the finish on these is not supposed to be shiny. The correct finish is a bit dull. Sorry if my wording sounds like scolding. That's not my intention. I hope you have many enjoyable years with this very nice find!

[52089]

You must live in New Mexico as the machine was posted on Facebook there. I have always wanted one of those machines as living in AZ our home is decorated in a South West fashion. Talked with the man who owned it and he sent me some really great pictures of it-who told me he was clearing out his office. This is a great machine to own and yours has all of the correct hardware which is hard to find.

By the way don't mess with the color on it-the paint that was used is poly-chrome, which is no longer produced and acrylics just don't look right Tempura paints will get close but will still not get you a actual match. I do art restoration and finding one of these machines with really good paint is hard as most have been messed with. Be very careful cleaning around and on the painted areas.

But for $300 i was tempted to drive over and get it-glad it went to a member of the forum.

Abe

Haha, yes I do. Southern New Mexico but I was up in Albuquerque that weekend.

As for the paint, do you think using Kotton Klenser should be ok? I was planning on using some to give it a cleaning but I didn’t want to mess with the paint.

When I got my 8-9, I asked the board who had experience in cleaning the unusual finish. I got several replies along the lines of "in theory", or "you should be able to", but no replies from actual experience. I have left my machine alone and recommend you do the same.

[David F]

You must live in New Mexico as the machine was posted on Facebook there. I have always wanted one of those machines as living in AZ our home is decorated in a South West fashion. Talked with the man who owned it and he sent me some really great pictures of it-who told me he was clearing out his office. This is a great machine to own and yours has all of the correct hardware which is hard to find.

By the way don't mess with the color on it-the paint that was used is poly-chrome, which is no longer produced and acrylics just don't look right Tempura paints will get close but will still not get you a actual match. I do art restoration and finding one of these machines with really good paint is hard as most have been messed with. Be very careful cleaning around and on the painted areas.

But for $300 i was tempted to drive over and get it-glad it went to a member of the forum.

Abe

Haha, yes I do. Southern New Mexico but I was up in Albuquerque that weekend.

As for the paint, do you think using Kotton Klenser should be ok? I was planning on using some to give it a cleaning but I didn’t want to mess with the paint.

When I got my 8-9, I asked the board who had experience in cleaning the unusual finish. I got several replies along the lines of "in theory", or "you should be able to", but no replies from actual experience. I have left my machine alone and recommend you do the same.

Not at all! I realize this is a rare find and I want to make sure I don’t mess this machine up. I plan to take your advise and move slow and ask a lot of questions before I do anything. Lol