VV-4-20 on Craigslist

[OrthoFan]

I've been tracking this one for awhile.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/clt/1069151339.html


The seller's posted the ad three times now, and lowered his price once. If I drove, I'd check it out.

I remember seeing a description of this on the old OTVMMB, along with photos of the horn, etc. This was one of the last Orthophonic Victrolas manufactured -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/4-20.htm -- and was fitted with the same bifurcated horn as used on the earlier VV-4-7, but turned on its side to run lengthwise in the cabinet. From what I've heard, these pump out quite a bit of bass.

[Victor78]

The VV 4-20 is a great little machine. I picked one up a few weeks ago for around half that price. Of course, there weren't any ball bearings in the reproducer, but the diaphragm and pot metal shell was in really good shape. I ordered the bearings and the gasket material, and new rubber flange for the back, rebuilt it, and it sounds awesome. I was quite surprised as the amount of bass it produces too. Rebuilding the reproducer went well, and wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The size is great if you have a smaller house (and getting smaller)

If only I had the room for an 8-30.... This is a great compromise though, and it's got one heck of a sound!! So far it's one of my favorite machines.

- Jim

Edit: Still learning how to spel

[bbphonoguy]

This is a nice little machine, but I get irked when a seller describes a mass produced item as "one of a kind".

[MordEth]

...I get irked when a seller describes a mass produced item as "one of a kind".

Sure, there’s only one of that serial number—which makes it pretty unique, right?

For that matter, since when is a horn a speaker (¹)?

Based on the photos, though, it looks like it might be a great deal for someone...

Edit: Still learning how to spel

That’s why there’s a spell-check feature in Firefox. Just right-click anything underlined in red and pick the right spelling.

Although you’ll probably have to teach it a few phonograph/gramophone-related terms.

— MordEth

[hr][/hr]

Victrola (Victor) 1928 Model VV4-20 - $249 (Novato)

Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-03-10, 2:24PM PDT


ONE-OF-A-KIND, beautiful antique Victor-Victrola VV 4-20 made in 1928 by the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, New Jersey (Model #VV 4-20, Serial #3797). In very good condition — everything is in working order, right down to the cabinet door closures and top lid.

The mahogany cabinet measures 36" high, 25" wide, and 18" deep. There are some minor signs of wear in the wood, but minimal, considering the unit is over 80 years old!

FULLY-FUNCTIONING, well-maintained turntable motor is operated via windup handle (non-electric) on the right side of the cabinet. Wonderful old-world sound quality is produced through the internal speaker¹.

The Victrola comes with 10 VINTAGE RECORDS (78 RPM) in excellent condition, a variety of vintage replacement needles, and needle sharpening tool.

The 10 Victor Talking Machine records included are: — (3) Brunswick records, Parts 1-6, Dvorak, Symphony No. 4 in G Minor, Conducted by Basil Cameron; — (3) Columbia records, Parts 1-6, Tschaikowsky, Op. 23, Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor; — (1) RCA Victor record, Side 1, Debussy, Claire Delune; Side 2, Liebestraum No. 3, Jose Iturbi, pianist; — (1) Victor record, Emperor Waltz, Johann Strauss Op. 437, Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, conductor; — (1) Columbia record, Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2; — (1) Columbia record, Oklahoma Medley, Andre Kostelanetz & Orchestra.

Buyer assumes responsibility and costs for pickup/packaging/shipping of this item. The Victrola weighs 100 pounds. Local Northern California buyer/pickup preferred. No international sales.

• It’s NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests.

Craigslist PostingID: 1069151339