WTB Vic 2 tone arm

[gramophone78]

UV, was the machine's plate stamped Vic.II when the "E" was ordered "rear mount" or just in the literature??. For comparison, here is the arm from my late mahogany Vic.5. You can see the same style arm as used on very late Vic. 2's. Just larger.

[Uncle Vanya]

The early rear mount machines retained the older (front mount) letter designations on their nameplates up through '05, though they were sold and cataloged as "Vic I", "Vic II", etc'

[bingchen1]

Well I'm glad everyone is so enthusiastic about finding helping me find a tone arm! I'm going to pretend to understand what is going on =]

[Jerry B.]

Yes, we've gone off task. When you consider humpback and plain case Vic II's, 99% take the same tone arm. Could someone provide a photo with measurements for the common Vic II tone arm? I'm confident our thread author is looking for that arm. Jerry

[Uncle Vanya]

Actually, his machine is late enough that it could take either the ball-bearing or the crossbar arm. A closeup photo of the tone arm socket on the back bracket would clear up any question. This machine shares an arm with one of the early VV-IV/Vi machines. We simply need to know which specific model.

Thank heaven that it is the tone arm that is missing. Slip-in elbows of this size are the very deuce to find. I've been looking for one myself for some years.

[gramophone78]

UV, I agree. A photo and measurement of the back bracket opening will be of great help in order to avoid the member buying the wrong arm.

bigchen1.....could you please post the photo and the measurement of the "inner" opening.

He may require the "flared" type I show "bottom" in my pic. However, I don't have a spare of this type. I do have a spare of the arm on "top" I posted. I just don't believe it will be correct....sorry.

[bingchen1]

Of course, the inner opening is 1 ⅜ inches diameter. Anf from far end of the opening to the middle of the disc measures about 9 inches. it's too dark to take any proper pictures atm. I am going to the Cali show next week to see if i can find one there too or if anyone want to sell me one there? I have never been to one before so i have no idea what to expect.

[Uncle Vanya]

Of course, the inner opening is 1 ⅜ inches diameter. Anf from far end of the opening to the middle of the disc measures about 9 inches. it's too dark to take any proper pictures atm. I am going to the Cali show next week to see if i can find one there too or if anyone want to sell me one there? I have never been to one before so i have no idea what to expect.

Well the arms discussed above are all of the same general diameter and length. They differ in the arrangement of the tone arm bearing, which after 1911 or so was under pretty much continuous improvement. If you buy the correct (expensive) arm for, say, a 1908 or 1909 vintage Victor II it will not properly fit your bearing. A tone arm from an early Victrola IV or Victrola VI will be a correct fit for your machine, but the bearing style will determine just what will work.

These parts are not quite as interchangeable as some folks assume. Of course one can always make a part fit, using "shoemaker" techniques, but this is generally quite unsatisfactory in the long run.

If you go to the meet, why not take your back bracket with you? You can then be certain of purchasing the correct part. Again, note that the part that you need will probably be found on a Victrola IV or VI. Your machine is late production, and is representative of perhaps 5% of the Victor II machines that one may find.

[Phonofreak]

I have been following this thread with great interest. You got this machine off of ebay. I was going to bid on it, but a late model Victor I came my way. Looking at your machine, it is from about 1911 -12. That's when the slip in elbow came out for the larger machines, the Victor O. The second clue is the bullet brake. After 1912, the tab brake was used. The early Victrola IV with the cross piece, and straight bottom is the correct one. The early Victrola VI arm is too long. Also, on these arms are 2 prongs on the bottom. That restricts the arm from flopping around, like on the early machines. These arms are fairly common.
Harvey Kravitz

[gramophone78]

Here are the measurements of two of my arm for reference. both are are approx. 9" long end to end. The "flared arm has the little screw in the upper back. I still believe "this" is the arm needed for the machine in question.