Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X

[barnettrp21122]

Make: Victor
Model: Automatic Victrola VE 10-35 X
Serial #: 9443
Year(s) Made: 1928-1929
Original Cost: $365.00
Case/Cabinet Size: 40 ½ X 38 ½ X 20 ¾ "
Turntable/Mandrel: 8" Rubber molded, black
Reproducer/Sound-Box: #5 Orthophonic
Motor: Induction Disc
Horn Dimensions: Large metal re-entrant
Reproduction Parts: None
Interesting Facts:
Victor's amazing 2nd automatic changer mechanism, unbelievably heavy with industrial-grade cast pieces throughout. The changer alone, weighing in at sixty pounds, brings new meaning to the term "record reject," but actually handles records pretty well. This was Victor's last acoustic changer model made.

Bob Barnett
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5o6cy78u-E[/youtube]

[Lenoirstreetguy]

I just watched your Youtube video and that is one of the best recordings of an acoustic phonograph that I've heard on Youtube: that really gives a very fine impression of the sound of an Orthophonic Victrola. Very nice.

Jim

[barnettrp21122]

Thanks Jim. I took extra steps to make sure the sound was better than the typical on-camera microphone.
Bob

[Nat]

wonderful to see and hear. If you don't mind my asking - what do you do for needles? The one in the video looks like a standard steel needle - so I'm assuming you can't go for multiple plays?

[barnettrp21122]

No, in the video it's using a cactus thorn needle, made by myself from barrel cactus thorns. Normally a Victor Tungs-tone needle would be used.
The thorn needles play best on unworn records, and would seem to be easier on the grooves. They're easily sharpened and reused. I can play dozens of records before the needle gets too short to be used.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Bob

[OrthoSean]

That's just great, Bob! This makes me want to get to work on mine even more, but I have a few other projects ahead of this one...

Thanks for sharing!

Sean

[phonophan79]

Awesome! Great quality video! Thanks for taking the time to share.

[wjw]

That one's a beauty! How is it there are no repro parts in her? Was casting metal just less of a problem with this model?

[barnettrp21122]

wjw:
Thanks for the compliment. It's my current favorite machine!
I can only assume that the cast metal formulas must have been adjusted or improved by the time this model was introduced. I recall reading that the later cast metal orthophonic reproducers have remained more stable. The bronze-finish one on this machine was just fine, needing ball bearing replacements and a new isolator mount.
Bob

[Kirkwood]

Wow. What a great, and great sounding, machine. Thanks for the great clear photos and the Youtube link, I can see why this is your new favorite. I like that elegant, straight-forward simplicity of the walnut cabinet almost as much as wonderful sound.