New to me, a VV 8-9

[52089]

Here is mine. S/N 700, with felt turntable...

Also, the cabinet has a light overfinish of shellac, done very long ago apparently. The playing area and inside the speaker doors have not been over coated however.

Your cabinet finish is probably original. Every one I've ever seen has a weathered, somewhat glossy finish outside and a matte interior.

[ChesterCheetah18]

Is it safe to say that the earlier serial number models had the felt turntables and gold plated tone arms?

I'm beginning to think the very early ones may have had felt turntable covering. I don't think any of them had gold plated tone arms, however.

[JerryVan]

Is it safe to say that the earlier serial number models had the felt turntables and gold plated tone arms?

I'm beginning to think the very early ones may have had felt turntable covering. I don't think any of them had gold plated tone arms, however.

I agree. My tone arm is painted. Some small parts seem to be plated however. I think they were old stock, getting used up.

[AZ*]

I cannot find it right now, but there is an interesting Victor internal memo, promoting the 8-9 to the dealers. It highlights the colorful decorative scheme as very likely to attract buyers of “foreign extraction” or something like that.

Baumbach's Victor Data Book shows the interesting internal memo.

I've had my 8-9X (induction motor) for over 20 years. It's a great machine, and I prefer its sound to that of a Credenza. I find that the 8-9's metal horn produces a crisper, louder sound than the Credenza. I prefer the 8-9 particularly for classical orchestral recordings. Mine has the orange felt turntable covering which is probably original to the machine.

Enjoy the great sound.

[ChesterCheetah18]

Is it safe to say that the earlier serial number models had the felt turntables and gold plated tone arms?

I'm beginning to think the very early ones may have had felt turntable covering. I don't think any of them had gold plated tone arms, however.

I

[ChesterCheetah18]

Is it safe to say that the earlier serial number models had the felt turntables and gold plated tone arms?

I'm beginning to think the very early ones may have had felt turntable covering. I don't think any of them had gold plated tone arms, however.

I agree. My tone arm is painted. Some small parts seem to be plated however. I think they were old stock, getting used up.

I believe you're onto something Jerry. From the 1928 Victor catalog. Note the last sentence.

Steve

[light-o-matic]

VE 8-9 X (serial no. 829)

IMG_3189.jpg (96.42 KiB) Viewed 639 times

[JerryVan]

VE 8-9 X (serial no. 829)
IMG_3189.jpg

Interesting that your 8-9 lies within the serial number range that would seem to indicate a felt covered turntable. Do you feel that your turntable is original to your 8-9, or was it possibly changed out for what was thought to be the "correct" version? I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong or improper with your 8-9. I certainly do not have the knowledge to suggest that. I suppose it's probably near impossible to know what may or may not have been changed in the last 95 years.

[52089]

VE 8-9 X (serial no. 829)
IMG_3189.jpg

Interesting that your 8-9 lies within the serial number range that would seem to indicate a felt covered turntable. Do you feel that your turntable is original to your 8-9, or was it possibly changed out for what was thought to be the "correct" version? I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong or improper with your 8-9. I certainly do not have the knowledge to suggest that. I suppose it's probably near impossible to know what may or may not have been changed in the last 95 years.

The VV and VE machines had separate serial number ranges. 829 would be early for the VV machine, but it's slightly less than halfway through the VE production, which only went up to around 1400. (Victor generally started serial numbers at 501, not 1.)

[JerryVan]

VE 8-9 X (serial no. 829)
IMG_3189.jpg

Interesting that your 8-9 lies within the serial number range that would seem to indicate a felt covered turntable. Do you feel that your turntable is original to your 8-9, or was it possibly changed out for what was thought to be the "correct" version? I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong or improper with your 8-9. I certainly do not have the knowledge to suggest that. I suppose it's probably near impossible to know what may or may not have been changed in the last 95 years.

The VV and VE machines had separate serial number ranges. 829 would be early for the VV machine, but it's slightly less than halfway through the VE production, which only went up to around 1400. (Victor generally started serial numbers at 501, not 1.)

Great observation! I did not know that about the different serial number ranges.