Another "Rare Bird" in my Backyard

[antique1973]

I have the later VV XII with the fancy moldings on the cabinet. I prefer it to the early model. Despite the small opening, mine has a good volume. It was upgraded at one time. It has a gold improved concert reproducer, and an automatic stop. The improved concert, that I rebuilt myself, has really good volume. I agree with the other posters that the price is way out of line. I think 1K with the incorrect stand is more than fair. Brad, keep us posted if the machine sells or not. I'm really curious.
Harvey Kravitz

Will do. If the ad is "deleted by poster" or any price changes I will let you know.

Brad

[brianu]

now it's on ebay, opening at 2700.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-less-than-5k-V ... 415b7e3cba

[JohnM]

I bought mine in Orlando three years ago from Mike Patella for $750. I knew where there the matching side-loading cabinet was in a shop near where we live for $250.

With a properly rebuilt reproducer, the XII doesn't sound bad at all. I would hardly call the sound "inferior".

[bbphonoguy]

One possible explanation for the high price could be that it's in California. Antiques always go for more on the west coast.

[JohnM]

I lived in California for twenty years and prices are apples and oranges East vs West coasts. I do think the seller is tripping, though. Obviously not an experienced phonograph person.

[OrthoFan]

I just spotted this video of a VV-XII -- posted yesterday --

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29s7JmqcdFk[/youtube]

I noticed a lot of distortion; don't know if it's the sound box or the record, or the microphone. Also, the motor's a tad noisy, but the noise seems to disappear once the sound box is on the record.

[estott]

That is the same machine being sold on Ebay. Part of the distortion is that 1940's Columbia disc he's playing- that's a stress on an Exhibition soundbox, especially an unrebuilt one.

[martinola]

Also, the motor's a tad noisy, but the noise seems to disappear once the sound box is on the record.

I think that's mostly due to the Auto Gain recording function on the camera. While I'm sure that the motor has some noise, I'm sure that the hiss of the playing record is quite a bit louder; thus the noise disappears when the louder signal is present. It actually sounds quite a bit better than I was expecting. Cool machine, (but the price is far beyond the value of my car!).

- Martin

[bbphonoguy]

I lived in California for twenty years and prices are apples and oranges East vs West coasts. I do think the seller is tripping, though. Obviously not an experienced phonograph person.

I agree, but was trying to give the seller the benefit of the doubt.

[estott]

Also, the motor's a tad noisy, but the noise seems to disappear once the sound box is on the record.

I think that's mostly due to the Auto Gain recording function on the camera. While I'm sure that the motor has some noise, I'm sure that the hiss of the playing record is quite a bit louder; thus the noise disappears when the louder signal is present. It actually sounds quite a bit better than I was expecting. Cool machine, (but the price is far beyond the value of my car!).

- Martin

I've run into some machines with a lot of gear noise, sometimes the rumble ceases when you play- I think it's something to do with the needle drag putting a different load on them.