Opinion: Pooley VTLA, Love it, Hate it, Don’t Really Care

[JerryVan]

When I was young & stupid, (only slightly less stupid now... ), I passed on a Pooley that was absolutely perfect, mint because I thought it was ugly. (I think it was $400) I had no idea it was anything special. I still think it's ugly, but I'll forever be sorry I didn't buy that one. I'd still buy one at the right price, but not at a premium. I'm not sure I'd want a Modernola or a Puritan at any price, not that anyone asked .

I often wonder what became of it. Did anyone buy a super nice Pooley in Saint Clair Shores, MI in the mid-to-late 80's, maybe early 90's?

[edisonclassm]

It's funny. Beauty is surely in the eyes of the beholder. Personally, I think the Pooley is a really cool design because it is so unique. I've had several over the years and got great enjoyment out of them. The cabinet design I find the least interesting are the ones that resembled an upright piano like the Columbia Symphony Grand. I'm also not too fond of the phonograph desks, Real "Boat Anchors" !

[Django]

If anyone is interested, it might be nice to put together a database along with a picture of the machine:

Example:
Serial Number: 844
Motor: Early, Bevel Gears
Hidden Drawer: No
Lid Support: Knee
Drawer: Large, with pull

[tictalk]

I have always liked the look and history that goes with the Pooley, my wife thinks there ugly. I had wanted one from the first time I saw one at Union 30 years ago, but they were too expensive back then to justify. We finally bought one at Stanton's a few years back at a reasonable price and are happy with it. So, I am a thumbs up.

[Ripduf1]

I love the design, in part because it is so “broken”! It is really cumbersome when you use it, but that helps you understand why it was short lived and now hard to find as Victor quickly moved away from the design.

When playing a disk it is a chore to reach “down into” the top section to place the record on the turntable and then the reproducer on the record. Vice-versa to get the disk out of that low turntable position. But the design made sense if Eldridge asked Pooley to hide all the mechanics of the machine - so Pooley hid the turntable and tone arm in a BOX, albeit an elegant box. It is the height of the tone arm bracket that drove the depth of the turntable, which is why the subsequent design “coffin top” is a stroke of genius. The bracket now exceeds the side of the cabinet thus raising and allowing better access to the turntable.

Then try playing the next record - there is no place to put the next record down. That lead to the record shelf on next generation cabinet style, which is a simple but necessary improvement.

The little needle drawer above the speaker doors is not accessible unless you open the speaker doors. Dumb! And really expensive to make I would think. Needle cup holders in the turntable compartment was far more convenient.

The little two hinge setup to hold that large top, Dumb! Which quickly gave way to the piano hinge during the life of the Flat Top.

The big ball bearing casters. Dumb! How many ruined wood floors in expensive homes were forever dented with that decision?

It was innovative and in my eyes it is sculpture.

I would be sure the executives at Victor quickly realized the inefficiency and difficulty in use of the Pooley Flat Top by the consumer and challenged their design department to come up with a better design quickly. 18 months after introduction - the Flat Top was history!

I own #572.

John

[Raphael]

Well, ya gotta start somewhere, and so they did. Think back to the mid 70’s Citicar, and then jump to Tesla. What is unforgivable is GM’s Aztec almost a century after the Model T.
I don’t like Pooley’s at all, but let’s get real, this is all about personal taste, and history, not about practicality.

Raphael

[Django]

I asked for honest opinions, and I appreciate them, thank you. The design is definitely not neutral. I’m probably in the minority, but I love the pear shaped Puritan and don’t really care for, but very much appreciate the Sonora Supreme. “If everyone loved roses, what would a Daisy do?”

Does anyone know when the motors changed from the early bevel gear to the worm drive type? EarlH has serial number 816, but his has the later motor and the saw toothed support, but the all wood horn like mine, serial number 844. I am guessing that my machine was near the time of the transition.

Thanks

[1913Concert]

These are photos of my Pooley Victrola serial #1864 which likely places it in mid-later 1907. It has the ratchet lid support and the traditional looking needle cup arrangement. One interesting aspect of this machine is that the motor board has the large cut out and the holes drilled to accept a bevel gear motor but there is no sign that one was ever installed. Instead it has the early spiral gear motor that uses a slotted crank. which appears to have been factory installed. The crank location is original and as can be seen in the photo is farther back on the cabinet than Django's early machine.

Apologies for the way the photos uploaded! I have always really liked these Victrolas. Not only because they are rare and historic but the design is very appealing in its simplicity and clean, unadorned lines. Yes, it's a pain to use but in spite of that I find myself using it often.
I think a database of Pooley Victrolas would help answer some questions I have had and I am sure others as well have also wondered at what point various aspects of the machines changed. It seems clear to me that these early Victrolas were a work in progress and they rapidly evolved even during the short lifespan of this particular cabinet design.

Django, thank you for starting this thread! Bob.