The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

dutchman wrote: I spent at least a month bringing the Sonora back from a basket case. I had to completely strip and completely redo the finish on the Sonora and major work on the right front leg. Except for the inside of the lid everything was stripped, stained, Sprayed using a HVLP spray system with 3 coats of aniline tinted shellac (home made 1-lb cut), sanded between coats - three coats of aniline tinted or clear lacquer - wet sanded between coats and then hand rubbed to the final finish.....

Beautiful refinish job on the Sonora. It's great to see a machine saved and restored to this caliber.

Best Regards, Larry

Phonofreak wrote:I believe the finish on the Victrola is either a Weathered Oak, or possibly a Flemish Oak. The machine is actually a VV X, not a VV 90. The crescent shaped speed control identifies it. Nice machine. I like that finish.
Harvey Kravitz

dutchman wrote:

De Soto Frank wrote:Very nice trio.

What finish is the Victrola - looks like Flemish or English Oak ?

I have the hulk of a Sonora "Mae West" that I literally pulled out of a dumpster... it's been squirreled in the back for the garage for nearly 15 years now...

I would like to see more images of each machine !

Quite frankly I'm not sure what species Oak this VV-90 is. Perhaps someone can identify it.

Bill K

Thanks Harvey. Well that is interesting information re the model. I remember buying this from the original owners family for $125 sometime in the 80's. She broke into tears when we carried it out the door. I was waiting for those dreaded words "I just can't let go of it." Thanks again. Cheers

Bill K

Phonofreak wrote:I believe the finish on the Victrola is either a Weathered Oak, or possibly a Flemish Oak. The machine is actually a VV X, not a VV 90. The crescent shaped speed control identifies it. Nice machine. I like that finish.
Harvey Kravitz

dutchman wrote:

De Soto Frank wrote:Very nice trio.

What finish is the Victrola - looks like Flemish or English Oak ?

I have the hulk of a Sonora "Mae West" that I literally pulled out of a dumpster... it's been squirreled in the back for the garage for nearly 15 years now...

I would like to see more images of each machine !

Quite frankly I'm not sure what species Oak this VV-90 is. Perhaps someone can identify it.

Bill K

Harvey you got my interest going now. Looked both machines up in the Look for the Dog. The motor board wood matches the rest of the machine. It has an Exhibition reproducer, double spring motor, semi-auto brake, and of course the speed control is not from a VV-90. However, looking at the cabinet it appears to be a VV-90 cabinet as it appears more bulky than the X. It also has horizontal shelves vice verticle for the X. I think everything under the lid is as you said from a X which was put into a VV-90 cabinet.