Walnut L Door on Ebay

[gramophone78]

The way I've read Jerry's posts is that his point was that one needn't (shouldn't!) use Circassian Walnut to make a replacement motor board for the eBay example. I agree with him. To my eye, the wood used for the decks and motor boards for Circassian Victrolas resembles birch. Therefore, with the mahogany motor board to use as a pattern, and some birch (or a other appropriate wood) to use for the replacement motor board, a competent woodworker/cabinet maker could duplicate the motor board from the proper wood. The eBay Victrola could be made historically accurate with minimal trouble.

Attached below are photos from Circassian Walnut Victrola No.76975E. I have owned this machine for 46 years (it was the first antique phonograph I ever bought) and I guarantee that it is undiddled with. As you can see, like the photos posted earlier in this thread, the motor board is not made of Circassian Walnut, but a plain grained hardwood stained to harmonize with the lighter portions of Circassian's grain pattern.

So Jerry's point seems to me a valid one: that the eBay example could be properly restored without using Circassian Walnut.

George P.

George,
Based on your pics....I'm going to say the wood is either plain cut Circassian or American walnut. I do not believe it is Birch. I hope others share their opinion. Without question....not mahogany.

[phonogfp]

That VTLA horn and motorboard sure look like mahogany to me. As for the deck, I'm not sure.

George P.

[Retrograde]

Jerry & George, in your pics motor board looks like plain old walnut to me. I've done a little wood work with walnut and that's my recollection of walnut's general appearance.

o/t Does anyone have a good image of a "SECOND HAND VICTROLA SPECIAL LICENSE" like the one on the eBay machine? It may be in one of the books I have, I just don't recall which one.

[gramophone78]

Jerry & George, in your pics motor board looks like plain old walnut to me. I've done a little wood work with walnut and that's my recollection of walnut's general appearance.

o/t Does anyone have a good image of a "SECOND HAND VICTROLA SPECIAL LICENSE" like the one on the eBay machine? It may be in one of the books I have, I just don't recall which one.

Yes I do and here you are. Enjoy.... ;
BTW, George.....The initial point to this thread (at least my contribution) had nothing to do with "restoration" or even "repair". My point and further discussion by members was merely the issue of the current board in "this" particular machine being a possible replacement and in my opinion from a mahogany machine. Therefore, if a member plans to pursue this machine.....take this info if you plan to bid serious $$$$. Nothing more or less. What the new owner chooses to make a board from (if at all) will be his or her decision and certainly not mine.... .

[Jerry B.]

The photos in my prior post were taken of this Circassian VTLA. The the best of my knowledge it is an untouched original. The horn appears to be mahogany and the deck and motor board do not appear Circassian to me but the color is consistent with the rest of the machine. Jerry

[ambrola]

Heck...I guess I should simply just post my things on eBay! It sure seems to generate a great deal of interest from all you folks on this forum. I hope the damn thing brings 10K!! Those buyers are the only type of folks that make everything that each of us own worth a million bucks.
Personally, with the fees on eBay and PayPal, I think I would rather die with my stuff.

And I will 2nd that!

[Chilesave]

Just in case it is relevant to a circassian walnut machine. I have had two american walnut XVI phonographs in the past. Neither of them had walnut motor boards either and I had always wondered about that.

[phonogal]

It's very hard to tell from the pictures if this is the correct motor board on this machine. It's a beautiful machine and I for one would love to have it my collection. It is way out of my price range, so that's not going to happen. That being said, each of us has our own idea of what is or isn't exceptable when it comes to replacement parts or restoration. If you must have a 100% original machine in pristine condition and have funds to pay for it than that is great. For the rest of us, that is only a dream. Besides, I have learned so much working on some of the machines I have and have gained so much from being a member of this forum.

[Raphael]

With all this talk about beautiful Circassian machines I decided to put one of mine on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1128496553

Raphael

[gramophone78]

With all this talk about beautiful Circassian machines I decided to put one of mine on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 1128496553

Raphael

Now that's marketing..... . Also Jerry, your machines wood (in the pic) is walnut as is yours Raphael (very nice). I'm surprised no one asked why I'm so sure...???. My family has been in the lumber industry for over three generation's. However, if those that feel it's mahogany want to think that......no problem. Glad I could help.... .