A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

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1923VictorFan
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A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

Post by 1923VictorFan »

I'm curious if anyone can tell me about the different oak finishes (beyond Golden Oak) that were used on Victor Table Top Victrolas. My VV-IV is obviously golden oak but my oak VV-VI has a very different looking finish. I've included 3 photos that show the color differences. I apologize for the grainy pictures.
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My 1923 VV-VI.
My 1923 VV-VI.
MVC-090S.JPG (53.69 KiB) Viewed 1213 times
Both Victrolas.
Both Victrolas.
MVC-088S.JPG (56.89 KiB) Viewed 1215 times
My 1914 VV-IV.
My 1914 VV-IV.
MVC-091S.JPG (60.08 KiB) Viewed 1215 times
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FloridaClay
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Re: A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

Post by FloridaClay »

I am wondering if the difference might be that the lighter one has been refinished, or very aggressively cleaned. The darker one looks rather like the unrestored IVs and VIs I see.

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1923VictorFan
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Re: A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

Post by 1923VictorFan »

Thanks Clay!
It really might be that simple! As you said, the VV-IV was refinished and the the VV-VI was not. I haven't personally seen too many Victrolas.
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Retrograde
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Re: A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

Post by Retrograde »

Victor had at least eight oak finishes ranging from very light to very dark. Off the top of my head, I don't recall which were available on these machines, but to me, these look within the range. Keep in mind that oak may darken over time.
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phononut
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Re: A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

Post by phononut »

Some dirt and grit that accumulates over time can sometimes darken a finish. Also may I ask why you have a Diamond Disc on the turntable? Hope you were not playing that!
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Jerry B.
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Re: A question about the finishes used on Victrolas IV & VI.

Post by Jerry B. »

You've brought up a good question. Victor had quite a few different finishes for both oak and mahogany but were these choices available in the inexpensive lidless Victrolas? I've seen photos of inexpensive Victrolas, like a IX, with special hand painted finishes so it you had money, you could get most anything you wanted. Jerry
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