Victor Victrola VV-XI Tabletop

[Bruce_Van_Note]

I would agree Bruce that it was probably just too vigorously cleaned. The outside of my Gunmetal XI looks nothing like the inside. I think it is a quite lovely machine. I have always wanted the tabletop X but I may be changing my mind

[Bruce_Van_Note]

Judging from the photos (always a risky thing to do!), I'd say there's a good chance your machine is a re-finish job: note the inside surfaces, doors and under-lid, horn chamber slats, and also the inside corners of the front trim mouldings, which are all a different, darker shade than the rest of the wood. The tag shows evidence of prying along the bottom edge, as if it had been clumsily removed from some other machine and then reinstalled here, possibly to replace a missing original. Do you know anything about the history of this phonograph in re: previous owner(s), or the seller? Finally, how did you discover the original sn1519? Is there another tag on the unit somewhere?

Hello, and thanks for your much-welcomed observations. Yes, I'm sure it could be a refinish or, at best, a rather harsh cleaning, according to Paul Edie. According to the "Victor Data Book", the ID data plate is from a VV-XI upright floor model(25491 B) from 1912-13. The correct S/N(1519)came from the license sticker, which is attached to the bottom of the phonograph. Prior to the mid 19-teens or so, Victor printed or wrote by hand the S/N in the upper right-hand corner of the license sticker in addition to the brass ID plate inside the case. I know nothing of the provenance other than what I've found in the "VDB" and in an e-mail from Paul Edie. The seller didn't seem to be hiding anything from me when I made the in-person purchase and I seriously doubt he replaced the original ID data plate. He indicated that this was condition in which he found it, and I have no reason to doubt that. I surmise that this phonograph was subject to an attempted refurbishment some time back. In any event, it is rather attractive on it's own terms and it plays very well, roaring like a lion. Thanks for your comments, which are always welcome.

Don't get me wrong, it's still a very nice machine to own, especially if it sounds good, as you say it does. Congratulations! I wouldn't part with my XI-G floor model for anything (well, almost anything ). Mine sounds great on everything from early acoustics up through and including big band and small group jazz stuff from the '50s. Admittedly not so great, but still listenable, on electrical recordings of orchestras, but hey, that's why orthophonics were invented . Enjoy your XI in good health!