The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I can't add anything that hasn't already been said. Your work speaks for itself. Thanks for posting! S. Levi

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:All Victrolas go to heaven...

I want to do my 1914 XIV like that now...it's very sad-looking as the last 105 years didn't do it a lot of favors. I love the dark forest-green felt on the turntable and that wood looks like it's nine miles deep.

Is the underside of the lid also refinished? Most restorations leave that "as found" but end up with a mismatch. Yours blends so nicely that I was wondering whether you had redone all that too, right down to a fresh decal.

It looks factory fresh and the motor looks like your usuals--clean enough to eat off of.

I always save the original logo, i have sanded all the way to the logo before if the finish is in bad shape or the wrong shade for the stain i will be using but for this one i scuff sanded the top underside and inside sides including over the logo. I then lay it flat and clear coat it. When dry put on its side so the inside side was level and did each side one at a time a day apart. This is the only way to get the clear to be perfectly level. I have also scuff sanded under tops and applied a light coat of the stain i use on the outside before clear coating to help with the match.
Now i just have to get the other 3 XVII's done

I have an Edison disc 200 that I cleaned up but I like the looks of your phonograph and what a lot of work will do . Nice job. I may take on a new project. Tom

Jon, this is actually very well done. I seem to recall that you encountered a lot of skeptics when you first introduced yourself here and told what you do. There may be a few Debbie Downers out there who will sniff that "it's only original once" but I think you're proving that wrong.

Very gooooooog work

I've expressed concerns previously on this forum against insensitive re-finishing jobs, especially on rare model phonographs--creating pieces which (despite claims otherwise) do not resemble how they might have looked when new. In this case, the skill and care taken has created results similar to when they rolled out of the factory. So this is a well done professional RESTORATION, rather than a quick re-finishing job. Kudo's and thanks!

That looks amazing.

In regard to the motor, perfection at its best.

Jonsheff wrote: Now i just have to get the other 3 XVII's done

There is a market for that many refinished Victor Victrola's?

Skihawx wrote:

Jonsheff wrote: Now i just have to get the other 3 XVII's done

There is a market for that many refinished Victor Victrola's?

In the collector world? Probably not... but for the person who just wants a cool machine in petfect working order I think there are buyers if the price is right.