Victrola VV-VI Fix it or scrap it?

[Stanley_II]

Ok, I don't think I could scrap a piece this old! The old technology is pretty cool.

I picked up a Victrola VV-IV, at a garage sale on a whim for $15. I was enjoying giving my first 1937 Philco radio a face lift when I saw this and thought maybe I could get it working. The serial number dates it at 1912.

I did some research and contacted an antique parts guy who quoted my a bit less than $100 for the parts I need. I trust him as he told me a couple parts I didn't really need and how to fix them. He also stated the reproducer is the wrong one for this model phonograph. I can't afford to buy a rebuilt one, so will need to fix this one up myself.

Parts included gaskets, thumb screw, tension springs, mica, weight and spring group, and some screws for assembly. The spring motor seems to be ok...it had tension on it which I slowly released with the single weight that was dangling on the rod (which was holding the tension in when it caught other parts of the motor).

My concern is spending more than I really should on it and finding out that it won't sound good with the wrong reproducer, or be worth less than the parts I buy.

Since this is my first Antique phonograph I am looking for some advice on whether this is worth spending more money on or just re-assemble it and do what with it?

What do Y'all think?

Hmmm, vertical pics show sideways unless you click on them...

[52089]

Your answer kind of depends on your intention. The VV-VI is a very common machine, not really worth more than $150 or so when working well. If you are interested in learning restoration techniques so that you can buy and fix up more machines in the future, I'd say go ahead and spend the money. There's nothing quite like the first time you take a non-working machine and turn it into a working one.

However, if you just want a basic, reliable machine to play a few 78s on occasionally, you may find it more effective to just buy an inexpensive, working, "semi-restored" machine. Most of us here have such machines available at relatively low cost.

If you decide to keep it and fix it, do get the correct Exhibition or No. 2 reproducer for it. You may find that the cost of buying that, even restored, will be less than the cost of the parts you are buying to fix yours.

The board has a Yankee Trader section where you can post Wanted ads for whatever you need.

Depending on where you are, you may also be able to attend a phonograph collectors' show to see what's available.

Good luck, and welcome to the hobby!

[JohnM]

‘Victrola’, not “Victorola”.

[Hoodoo]

When you say “scrap it” I hope you don’t mean just tossing it in the trash.

[JerryVan]

As to its worth, not all "worth" can/should be measured in dollars. There is definitely some value in saving a derelict item, the feeling of satisfaction in the accomplishment, and the enjoyment derived from actually using the thing that you've saved. If you're looking at it in cold, hard "dollars & cents", then no, it may not be worth it. However, since you already seem to have some appreciation for "old things" and rescuing them, I suspect that the former scenario is something you already understand.

[drh]

Welcome to the forum and to the world of antique phonographs!

As others have said, up to you if personal satisfaction would be enough to make a restoration job--from the photos, an extensive one--worth the cost. If it's something you'd just like to own and play and enjoy, go for it. From a purely financial standpoint, the Victrola VI is too common to justify much investment. Note that it was barely above the bottom of Victor's line when new; it was a decent, solid "budget" machine, but there are much more capable machines out there, better sounding with better motors, and many of them don't go for much more than your VI would. For example, the Victrola IX is similarly common but has more substantial cabinetry with a lid, a stronger motor, and a somewhat larger horn chamber for better sound.

I guess one other question arises: do you have 78 RPM records that you want to play on it? Note that it's suitable for playing records from before 1925, not so much for later, electrically recorded ones (so not for big band, like Benny Goodman or Tommy Dorsey or Glenn Miller; the vast majority of records sold in dedicated album sets; anything referring to "electrical recording," "Viva-Tonal," or "Orthophonic" on the label; etc., etc. Definitely no very late 78s pressed in vinyl.). Yes, you can play the later records, other than uncommon vinyl pressings, on it, but they probably will tend to sound harsh and blasty, and as they get later in the 78 era the machine is likely to cause them undue wear. With the right records, though, and notwithstanding how it may sound from what I said earlier they are plentiful, a Victrola VI could be a lot of fun in itself and a decent starting point for getting into collecting machines, records, or both if you catch the "bug."

One other thought: if what you have are the later, electrically recorded records, and if you are replacing the reproducer anyhow, you could consider getting a Victrola no. 4 reproducer for it. That may be a little pricey, but it was intended precisely to adapt machines like yours for playing the then-new electrical recordings. Not a perfect solution, but a possibility.

[Benjamin_L]

Even fully restored, outside retail, $175 would be tops. I'd say it's worth restoring. While that Sonora reproducer is not original, it'll do a good job.

[CharliePhono]

These are my favorite types of machines to restore, that is, the derelicts, the tossed-aside, and the forlorn (sounds like something on the Statue of Liberty). While the end result of my many projects like this rarely recouped their purported value, they were cherished by me from the "Frankenstein" point of view of bringing something long dead back to life. This applies to all of the things which tend to interest me, from phonographs to radios, and telephones to typewriters -- just about anything vintage mechanical.

I also agree it's a good starter project. The principles learned from refurbishing or restoring these types of machines are valuable across the spectrum of the phonograph hobby, from a lowly Columbia Q to a lofty Edison Opera. Take your time, have fun with it, and enjoy it when done. Best of luck.

[phonojim]

That machine is worth saving in my opinion. It is an early VV-VI, and dates from December 1911 to December 1912, and the serial number places it at the earlier part of the manufacturing run. The 10 inch turntable was replaced by a 12 inch version beginning in March of 1913. In my long history of collecting, I have seen very few examples of these early machines.

[Inigo]

And if you want to restore it complete, you can refurbish that Sonora soundbox and trade it for an original Exhibition