VV-XVII: What finish is this?

eighteenbelow · Post by **eighteenbelow** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 11:53 am

This is the best (and only) picture I have showing the finish on this machine. It's definitely not mahogany (every XVII I've ever seen in person has been mahogany), and while my guess would be oak, it doesn't look like golden oak to me. The Baumbach book says this machine came in more than a dozen finishes, including several oak options, but I can't tell which one this would be. Thoughts?

edisonplayer · Post by **edisonplayer** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 12:10 pm

It looks to me like fumed oak.My Brunswick 117 is that finish.edisonplayer.

ChesterCheetah18 · Post by **ChesterCheetah18** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 2:16 pm

I agree. Looks like fumed to me as well.

Post by **gramophone78** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 5:58 pm

You may want to review this for the different oak finishes. Of course better pics would certainly help.
http://www.victor-victrola.com/oak.htm

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 7:14 pm

I think the finish looks more like "Driftwood Oak", as shown in the pic below. Look at the color in the oak "crannies"...
Fumed oak is more dark brown, but who knew that Victor produced so many oak finish variations...

Skihawx · Post by **Skihawx** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:28 pm

I would agree it is Drift Wood Oak. Definitely not Fumed Oak. Here are some pictures of a Victor dealer sample chart.

Curt A · Post by **Curt A** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:32 pm

If it is actually "Driftwood Oak", it is considered to be a desirable and rare finish - IF it is in good original condition inside and out...

Skihawx · Post by **Skihawx** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:36 pm

Yes I would say it is a very desirable finish on a VV-XVII. I don't have one. Considered a VV-XI in driftwood but couldn't go for it.

phonogfp · Post by **phonogfp** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:40 pm

Several years ago I decided I would never again contribute to another pointless online debate about "Fumed Oak." But since several informed responses have been posted in this thread, I will gladly add to the consensus that the OP's image does not show Victor's version of a Fumed Oak finish. "Driftwood" or "Weathered Oak" are more likely. The darkness of Fumed Oak can vary according to the time allowed to elapse during the process, but here is a Victrola XI and its serially-matched shipping crate marked as a "Fu O" (Fumed Oak) finish:

George P.

: Fumed Oak1 (1).jpg (100.06 KiB) Viewed 637 times

: FumedOak3.jpg (101.89 KiB) Viewed 637 times

: FumedOak4.jpg (114.08 KiB) Viewed 637 times

Skihawx · Post by **Skihawx** » Tue Jul 06, 2021 9:52 pm

The grain just pops with a highly fumed oak finish. That is a very beautiful machine!

VV-XVII: What finish is this?

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