Victor O

[edisonphonoworks]

I got a pleasant surprise today, my land lady said she had a machine she thought I would like. I asked what it was like, and she said a little machine that had an outside horn, and that I could Pick it up Thursday. I picked it up today, and it is a cute little Victor O. It is really my first outside horn Victor machine to keep. I had for a month owned part of a Victor III, which I hated to sell, but had to, I am keeping this one. What a neat little machine, as it has a unique tone arm and odd Exhibition reproducer with a sideways mounted thumb screw, and very odd tone arm, that has a gyroscopic looking connection to the back bracket. I would like to find a horn and crank escutcheon. It has a pretty beautiful original mahogany finish. I understand it was originally a yellow horn, with mahogany accents. Also how does one rebuild the reproducer on this, does that bezel come out, never seen an Exhibition like this.

[Jerry B.]

Congratulations on your Vic O. It's much more unusual than a Vic III. As you probably know, the Vic O was the lowest priced rear mount Victor horn machine and it sold in fairly small numbers so it's not frequently found today. Even though it sold in small numbers, it was offered for several years and went through some mechanical changes. For that reason, be a little careful when buying a horn because there are several variations in elbow and horn size at the small end. Please show us some good photos when you complete your machine. Jerry

[Moooperator]

I want your landlady! Great little machine!

[m0xiemama]

Wow what a lucky guy! Congratulations. I always try to put it out there that I'm a collector. You never know who might come across one and think of you.

[edisonphonoworks]

Thank You. I figured out that the cover on the reproducer was just a split ring, and when I decompressed it a little with a pair of needle noses it came right out and rebuilt nicely, and is one of the clearest little Exhibitions I have ever heard. Would a Victor I horn work on the elbow (thank goodness it came with that!.) The machine plays pretty good, I still have to re-grease the spring barrel. It is something that for the lowest price instrument of the time it came with such a nice mahogany cabinet. The nickel on the machine is in very good condition, on the arm and turn table. The brake lever is odd as it is not a bullet brake, but has a round base, but is original to the machine. The motor looks similar to a Vic I. I will get some better pics when I can find the charger to my higher resolution camera, it is hiding for the moment.

[Jerry B.]

Original Vic O horns turn up occasionally. If it were mine, I would wait for the correct horn. What is the diameter of the opening on the elbow? If you'll post that measurement, I'll check my Vic I. I could be wrong but I believe Victor advertising promoted the "mahogany finish" on the Vic O and not the "mahogany cabinet". I think the cabinet was made from a cheaper wood that was given a mahogany finish. It ads to the interest of the machine. Jerry Blais

[edisonphonoworks]

The opening of the elbow where the horn goes is 2". The wood seems to actually be mahogany to me, it has al the characteristics. What is odd, to service the motor, ones unscrews the bottom of the machine, the top does not lift off, as in the more expensive units.