The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Uncle Vanya wrote:Power resistors may be had pretty easily, though they don't look quite like the originals. On the other hand, if the machine was not stored in a damp cellar the resistors are seldom faulty. The total amount of power dissipated b the resistors in these motors is on the order of sixty watts, about the same heat produced by an electric light bulb of modest size. The Victor machines were very well ventilated, so I don't see much of a problem.

Agree - old power resistors were very well made and are usually still good. If you have a bad one and it has to be replaced, there's always the option of cutting open the original and installing the new one inside it to keep the appearance correct or installing it somewhere out of sight, leaving the original in place but disconnected.

My VE-XVI has a lot of ventilation holes in the back of it. It came that way from the factory.

My VE8-30X doesn't have any big honkin' resistors, I plug it straight into a standard wall outlet.

I wouldn't trade it for a spring motor machine.

I listen to my machines, and usually do so in binges. So I flat-out hate winding them, because it's bad enough needing to change the record and the needle for each new song. I've added Jones Motrola winder units to most of my frequently played machines that don't already have stock electric motors. In fact, if any readers have Motrolas they don't want and would sell or trade to me, please let me know!

Retrograde wrote:My VE8-30X doesn't have any big honkin' resistors, I plug it straight into a standard wall outlet.

Yes, but the induction disc motors are a different animal entirely from the earlier units.

My two cents here. For most of my life I was fascinated by things that worked without outside power.. So a victrola that was wound provided the total package for that goal. I don't mind at all winding my machines, I have been doing it for close to 65 years or more since I started as a small child with my grandmothers fathers machine she had inherited. Along the way I had an electric Brunswick and a Electric Edison. The brunswick a friend of mine purchased latter from a dealer an its been playing without being worked on since 1961. So I would say if there in good shape yet they may have a lot of life in them.. Now that the computer has forced me into farther and farther into the gadget age of electronics of all types. But still I prefer to see a crank on my Victrola and refuse to give up my oil cooking ranges.. ( I did quit using my mechanical washing machine after 35 years when my mom moved next door and started having me use her automatics).. Does save a lot of effort.

Larry

When I started collecting antique phonographs 46 years ago, I was charmed by the spring motors and was not interested in anything that plugged into a wall socket. My attraction to the spring motors hasn't changed, but like Peter F., I will play records in afternoon-long binges, and, like the consumers of 90 years ago, the novelty of cranking a phonograph has long since departed. For serious record playing, I now prefer a Credenza X to any other antique disc machine here.

When showing the phonographs to non-collectors, I focus on the spring-driven examples for the sake of the novelty. An electric motor is an acquired taste.

George P.

Make of it what you will: My VE-120 was on the local CL for almost a year. $400 .. $350 .. $300 .. etc ... it finally got down to $75, when I called and took it. No, I still don't know if it works - haven't plugged it in, as yet.

I guess I really opened it when I asked the question. I really enjoy listening to my spring wound machines that was part of what drew me into the hobby. I use to use kerosene lamps until kerosene go so expensive and that is an acquired taste everyday trimming the wicks getting them just right for a clean evening burn etc. If I want to listen to them electrically I have 3 TT's a Dual and 2 Garrard's that can be multi or single play with all the right stylus for early to late 78's and they sound wonderful on them big bold and annoying to the rest of the family. My A150 sits in the family room and I listen to at least 2-3 records a night. I still love the sound of the acoustic machines as I had an Edison cylinder machine when I was young and boy should I have bought up those cylinders back then along with the Diamond disc and 78's a nickel a pop at the flea market when I was a teenager
Any way my original question was if I was to go to see a machine and I thought the price was high would it be worth more electrified or not as a negotiation tool The earliest electric machine I had was an all electric from the late 30's which sadly I don't have any more and yes it was a floor stander RCA Victor with real nice cabinet that I paid $2 for at an auction when I was 15
Dwight

I'm guessing (and it is no more than that) that a spring-wound and an electric of the same model in similar condition would be of equal value.

Clay