Victor 8-12 Orthophonic

[antique1973]

I have been considering getting a couple good books for reference purposes and I think its high time I do so. Recently I was able to break even on a machine I paid too much for when I first started collecting. This was shear luck and demonstrates risks of being clueless.

Or if you prefer, you can remain clueless and provide dealers with a way to unload the junk that more knowledgeable collectors wisely avoid.

By the way, the 8-12 takes up almost as much floor space as a Credenza, but its performance, while acceptable, is not as fine as an Orthophonic equipped with a larger horn.

I ordered the "Looking for the Dog" book and the Edison one too. I would rather not be a waste
depository for phonograph sellers.

If I can buy it for $50 I will however to get the 4 spring motor and hopefully a good ortho
reproducer. What to do with the stumpy cabinet though is anyone's guess. Perhaps I could use
it as some sort of upscale Frankenphone project.

[Valecnik]

"You have a good point George. I have been considering getting a couple good books for reference purposes and I think its high time I do so. Recently I was able to break even on a machine I paid too much for when I first started collecting. This was shear luck and demonstrates risks of being clueless."


Good for you! There's absolutely no shame in being "clueless" (we all start that way), but it only makes sense to take steps to protect yourself - and that's best done through education. And as the bumper sticker says, "If You Think Education is Expensive, Try Ignorance!"

I tried it...didn't like it. I could have bought an Amberola 1A for $200. I could have bought an oak Herzog "full round" cylinder cabinet for $400. My own ignorance prevented it. Hopefully those things don't happen anymore!

George I agree you make a good point. Being clueless, (or only somewhat aware) can cause one to pass on things that should be snatched up. I've more than once earlier on passed on something I though was WAY TOO EXPENSIVE only to find out from a more knowledgable collector that the item had a much higher value/rarity than I estimated. Sometimes while I vasilated and tried to get the seller to reduce his price a bit, someone less clueless than I bought the item out from under me.

At least once I got lucky. Others passed on my A300 DD machine because it had indications of being "put together", (diamond disc works later dropped into an Amberola cabinet). Thinking that the machine was a "cobble job", I bought it anyway becuase it was not very expensive. Only after further examination and talking to other experts over a couple year period was I able to confirm it came from the factory that way.

[antique1973]

"You have a good point George. I have been considering getting a couple good books for reference purposes and I think its high time I do so. Recently I was able to break even on a machine I paid too much for when I first started collecting. This was shear luck and demonstrates risks of being clueless."


Good for you! There's absolutely no shame in being "clueless" (we all start that way), but it only makes sense to take steps to protect yourself - and that's best done through education. And as the bumper sticker says, "If You Think Education is Expensive, Try Ignorance!"

I tried it...didn't like it. I could have bought an Amberola 1A for $200. I could have bought an oak Herzog "full round" cylinder cabinet for $400. My own ignorance prevented it. Hopefully those things don't happen anymore!

George I agree you make a good point. Being clueless, (or only somewhat aware) can cause one to pass on things that should be snatched up. I've more than once earlier on passed on something I though was WAY TOO EXPENSIVE only to find out from a more knowledgable collector that the item had a much higher value/rarity than I estimated. Sometimes while I vasilated and tried to get the seller to reduce his price a bit, someone less clueless than I bought the item out from under me.

At least once I got lucky. Others passed on my A300 DD machine because it had indications of being "put together", (diamond disc works later dropped into an Amberola cabinet). Thinking that the machine was a "cobble job", I bought it anyway becuase it was not very expensive. Only after further examination and talking to other experts over a couple year period was I able to confirm it came from the factory that way.

Bruce, I did not see your A300 until now. Epic machine! Its hard to imagine anyone blowing
that one off. Fortunately for you they did!

[antique1973]

Thanks for all your helpful info gentlemen! I need to learn about the Edisons
pronto. I may be visiting a horde of machines shortly....ah but that's another story....

[phonograph78]

I have to say that the 8-12 when properly sealed can perform to amazing qualities. I was expecting the hollow sound when I got one and I was not disappointed. But after making sure the horn the sealed and making sure all the joints were greased and sealed it was quite a performing machine. The horn is not as large as the Credenza. However, it has a more robust base quality than the Credenza. I was not expecting that. I would also guess that each machine to a degree has aged in its own fashion. The wood has expanded or dried. It has had a blessed life and been a good environment in which the horn was not put under undo pressures. All of these factors and some good luck lead to having found a good machine.If the person who wrote of this originally was wondering if it is a good machine. I would say with out a doubt it is. I love the one I have and it plays absolutely fantastic

[phonogfp]

Doesn't the 8-12 feature a metal horn?

George P.

[brianu]

Doesn't the 8-12 feature a metal horn?

George P.

no, the 8-12's horn is constructed more like the one in a common credenza, some metal but primarily wood. the 8-8, 8-9, 8-35, and I think a few others have the all metal type.

[David Spanovich]

Doesn't the 8-12 feature a metal horn?

George P.

The VV-8-12 horn was made from wood, but it differed considerably from the horn used in the Credenza.



There was a discussion about making a VV-8-12 horn air tight awhile back:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 66&start=0

DS

[brianu]

the only similarity between the two that I suggested was that they both incorporate horns made from both metal and (primarily) wood - using the credenza as a point of reference because most people here are pretty familiar with that model's horn and the material from which it's made... as opposed to the other models I mentioned, which use an all metal horn (as in the photo). but thank you for your clarification.

[phonogfp]

Thanks guys - - I had a brain cramp. I was thinking of an 8-35. I've owned both of these models, reluctantly sold them, and now years later have mixed them up...

George P.