New guy here, GREAT site!

[FloridaClay]

Welcome!

A Victor VV-XI, such as the example you linked to, is a great starter machine. It was Victor's biggest seller (800,000 +), so there are lots of them around. As others have suggested, you get what you pay for. Machines you get "in the wild" often need work and if you don't do that work yourself you can have more in one when it is restored than you might have paid for a serviced and ready to go machine from a reputable dealer.

Of course I often do not follow my own advice, as my heart goes out to derelicts I see that need saving and then I foolishly ride to the rescue more often than not.

Clay

[VintageTechnologies]

Welcome!
Machines you get "in the wild" often need work and if you don't do that work yourself you can have more in one when it is restored than you might have paid for a serviced and ready to go machine from a reputable dealer.

Even machines that have sat in a collection for 20+ years might require some attention. Spring grease drys out, leading to thumps or uneven speeds. Reproducer gaskets harden. So, even if you do buy from a reputable dealer, ask if those things have already been dealt with, as a cost factor in your considerations. I mentioned Ron Haring earlier. He sells machines both ways - some have been slicked up, others have come straight from collections with only minor lubrication. You just have to ask.

[FloridaClay]

Welcome!
Machines you get "in the wild" often need work and if you don't do that work yourself you can have more in one when it is restored than you might have paid for a serviced and ready to go machine from a reputable dealer.

Even machines that have sat in a collection for 20+ years might require some attention. Spring grease drys out, leading to thumps or uneven speeds. Reproducer gaskets harden. So, even if you do buy from a reputable dealer, ask if those things have already been dealt with, as a cost factor in your considerations. I mentioned Ron Haring earlier. He sells machines both ways - some have been slicked up, others have come straight from collections with only minor lubrication. You just have to ask.

Indeed Vintage. We can never just assume that a machine is "serviced and ready to go." Asking about what has been done and condition is a must. And if any dealer is not up front about discussing that, it is a clue to run.

Clay

[soundgen]

Thanks for the responses! I talked to Ron and told him what I am looking for. He said he has a few models available, one in particular is a Mahogany XIV in very nice original condition. He said that one would be $495 where his nicer units start at. That seemed kind of high to me, is it? What should I expect to pay for a very nice original. How about one done in Oak?

U.S. median annual household income fell from $51,144 in 2010 to $50,502 in 2011. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Household_ ... ted_States so $495 is 4 days pay and you can't decide to buy ? I'll bet there are few phonograph dealers who earn $495 a week ! you should buy it it is worth every penny ! it probably comes with a guarantee as well .

[soundgen]

Welcome!

It was Victor's biggest seller (800,000 +), so there are lots of them around.

Clay

There are 7 billion people on this planet and a lot of them particularly in China have a lot of money , more than most of us , they are also more and more interested an old things and already in the UK they are buying and shipping furniture to be sold there , these machines are really cheap particularly when sold by reputable dealers , It won;t take long for them to be interested in good quality Victrolas and they will leave the USA !

[soundgen]

$130 http://www.victor-victrola.com/XI.htmin 1921 would be $1307 today http://www.1soft.com/todaysdollars.htmso $450 is a great bargain !

[hvychev]

Thanks everyone for the additional info.

Soundgen, I NEVER said I didn't know if I should buy it, I was just asking for a little advice on values, that's all. I don't care what something should be worth based on inflation rates, I would prefer to be in something relatively "right" as opposed to overpaying for a collectible if I could help it. NO, I do not intend to buy something and re-sell it anytime in the near or even far out distant future, but as someone who buys A LOT of antiques and collectibles, I try to buy things as reasonably as possible. There's no harm in that is there?

[hvychev]

Well guys, I did it! I went out to see Ron Haring this afternoon and bought an absolutely beautiful original ca. 1919 XIV! I have been doing research and decided that I wanted something a little less common then an VI and liked the size and bigger motor to keep it running longer. Here are some pics, I am sorry that they are bad but it has an original magnificent finish with just the right amount of patina, JUST the way I wanted one! Ron went through it and serviced it before I got there and we negotiated a good price and I left happy. He even gave me a lesson on some of the 101 basics since he knew this was my first machine. Ron is truly a class act.

I plan on taking some of the nickel hardware apart and polishing it, is this frowned upon? NOTHING will be replated or restored, just thoroughly cleaned and brightened up. I want to make it as nice as possible. I am also going to polish the wood a bit with tongue oil to make it pop some more.

One last thing. For years we have been lugging around all of my wife's great grandfathers Victrola records from house to house. He was a fascinating character having owned a saloon and serving as an alderman in Chicago's notorious 2nd Ward Levee vice district in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We listened to one of his swingin Fox Trot records tonight and not to sound corny, but it was a truly magical experience. My wife actually had a tear in her eye. We couldn't be happier, the Victrola is right at home in our 1928 Chicago Bungalow. Thanks again for all the advice.

[martinola]

hvychev -

Great machine. Personally, apart from a very gentle cleaning, I wouldn't touch the plated parts. Some gentle rubbing with a soft cloth and you should be good to go. Also, please don't coat the finish with Tung oil. It's not compatible with the original finish. You're better off with using something like Feed'N Wax. It will make the finish "pop" quite a bit and also be reversible. Coating with Tung oil is not reversible. The XIV is a cool machine and I hope you'll get many years of enjoyment from it.

Regards,
Martin

[FloridaClay]

Congratulations! A nice machine.

As for the nickel-plated parts, I use Meguiar's Cleaner Wax, available from most auto parts stores. I apply it, and clean it off, with a very soft cloth. An old T shirt is great. Cleans off the dirt and provides a little bit of protection.

As for the wood, I agree with Martin about not using Tung Oil. Personally, I would clean it first with Kotton Klenser (super easy to use and won't harm the finish), then let it dry for a couple of days and follow up with Kotton Klenser's Lemon Oil and Beeswax polish. You can use that polish for long term care too when it begins to look dull again.

Clay