VV-IV "steal of the day"

[dennman6]

My friend Rick brought me a little item this afternoon that he got for little money at a garage sale. Some of you may recall my friend Rick, who a year or so ago brought me a literal barn find of a 1909 VTLA which had a bit of lifted veneer & needed a winding key, needle cup, & 3 knobs. That one cost me $60, up from the $45 Rick paid for it. Here is a decent VV-IV, which according to Paul Edie's site was made in 1920. Rick paid $40 for it & I paid him $75. You can see the chip off the front right corner, the tonearm has a "dimple", & the knobs aren't right. Also there are two empty screw holes at the 9 & 3 o'clock positions on either side of the turntable. Anyone know what they're for? Obviously the Exhibition soundbox needs a rebuild, & I compare it here to a restored one I bought from Walt Sommers last year. Some clever owner put in a home-made cardboard "extension gasket" when the original rubber flange started drying out & buckling. Gotta admire that little trick! So I put on Walt's Exhibition & wound up the single spring motor, then played some Paul Whiteman, Lambert Murphy, & Fritz Kreisler. Runs fine as is, but at some point I will regrease the spring. I've seen these cute little VV-IVs & also the larger VV-VIs at antique malls, but never was compelled to bring one home at the $300-$400 they usually want for them. I could not turn this one away however, & now I consider it the content little runt of the litter in my collection. I should set it on a stand right next to the Credenza! P.S.-I've pretty much got Rick trained as to what to look for by now, & for a guy who collects mostly vintage bicycles he's developed a good eye

[FloridaClay]

Congrats! I need a friend like that to scout for me.

Clay

[52089]

Very nice looking machine, congrats! These are surprisingly good little players.

I know Walt Sommers has the correct doorknobs (albeit repros) as I need a set myself.

[Nat]

What a great little machine! A VV-IV was my first restoration: found it in pieces in a box at the local junk store for $45, less the reproducer. I bought a restored one from Walt, re-did the motor (the spring was broken at the inner end, so I shortened it by a few inches & put in a new attachment hole) - it sits in my cabin (and my avatar) and delights us all at dinners and Christmas, and all the kids love it because3 they can see how it works.

Sometimes the runt of the litter is the dog to watch (or is it "listen"?)

[dennman6]

Very nice looking machine, congrats! These are surprisingly good little players.

I know Walt Sommers has the correct doorknobs (albeit repros) as I need a set myself.

Yesterday I ordered the correct knobs, a new turntable felt, an Exhibition rebuild kit, & brake leathers from Walt. Also I ordered 500 soft tone steel needles for the "testing marathon" I expect to have with this little trooper