Are RCA Victrola's as collectible?

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Hi all,

Since my VV 2-5 gave up the ghost, I've been on the search for another portable, and all the decent portables seem to be out of my current budget (100-120 tops). I noticed this fellow, and it looks both cheap and "deluxe" at the same time, I'm guessing it's around a 1930 or so model, but the thing is, is it even worth the asking price, and will they ever really be worth much? It's still a "Victrola", but it's a post-Victor era one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120879896558?ss ... 1423.l2649


Does anyone here have a portable they'd let for for under $100 or so? If not, that's fine, I'll come across one eventually, or perhaps finances will improve so I can afford to drop more on a nicer model.

[David Spanovich]

That's actually from the later 1930s. In 1930, you could still get this model -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/2-65.htm -- which was among the better sounding portables ever produced.

The RCA Victor portables were cheap, in comparison, though if the pot metal tonearm isn't frozen and if the sound box is restored, they don't really sound too bad:

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

Because of the tonearm's design--no ball bearings to glide on--they're harder on records.


DS

[gramophoneshane]

It looks like the ebay example also has a Paillard "Maestrophone" soundbox with mica diaphragm, so you wont get the sound quality it should have unless you hunt down & buy the correct RCA soundbox.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

10-4, I guess I'll pass on that one then.

Can anyone tell me what models would be obtainable now for less than $120 or so? I'd love to have a VV-50, but that's not going to happen in that price range.

[Guest]

Um...so I can't help but notice it's been bid up to over $200 total.


What gives?? I'd certainly rather get a VV-35 for that, vs. that.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

I can't help but notice it's been bid to a total of over $200.

What am I missing? I'd much rather own a VV-50 over that.

[David Spanovich]

I can't help but notice it's been bid to a total of over $200.

What am I missing? I'd much rather own a VV-50 over that.

It's because people don't do their homework.

This ones' a better deal, though it's slightly over your limit, plus there's postage to pay -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victor-Victrola ... 2ebb907e50

If interested, have the seller send you some detailed photos of the sound box. Normally, the ones used in the portable models do not swell or crack apart.

Also, the inside looks pretty faded, though restorable, but verify that there is no corrosion/rust.

DS

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

I brought up all those issues, and was told that he would knock $20 off, and shipping would be calculated after the fact.

I sent them a reply to that, and we'll see where it goes.

[lakesideglenn]

I love my 2-55! The one you are looking at does not have the original reproducer. It should be gold plated like the rest of the tonearm and hardware..

[David Spanovich]

I love my 2-55! The one you are looking at does not have the original reproducer. It should be gold plated like the rest of the tonearm and hardware..

I wondered about that too. I've seen a few examples where the gold has rubbed or flaked away, but never to this extent.

Along this line, if you look carefully at the large versions of the photos, you'll see just a trace of gold on the top. (The front plate, barely visible, seems to have retained its color.

soundbox.JPG (21.11 KiB) Viewed 2530 times

BTW, I remember a discussion awhile back on this or another forum about the fact that these portable Ortho sound boxes were not really gold plated, but that some type of paint was used. Don't know if this is true or not.

DS