The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Curt A wrote:A VV-50 would be a good choice, easy to store and a good player...

The smaller case was a factor why we like the VV-50. Knowing that they play well, that’s a big plus.

erinN wrote:

Curt A wrote:A VV-50 would be a good choice, easy to store and a good player...

The smaller case was a factor why we like the VV-50. Knowing that they play well, that’s a big plus.

I have a couple VV 1-70 machines in my project queue. If you are interested I could finish one up for you. Both have very decent Victrola No. 4 reproducers which will give more versatility as far as being able to play later electrically recorded records well (like Scroll label type). It's a modestly sized tabletop with fantastic sound, like this:

gramophone-georg wrote:

erinN wrote:

Curt A wrote:A VV-50 would be a good choice, easy to store and a good player...

The smaller case was a factor why we like the VV-50. Knowing that they play well, that’s a big plus.

I have a couple VV 1-70 machines in my project queue. If you are interested I could finish one up for you. Both have very decent Victrola No. 4 reproducers which will give more versatility as far as being able to play later electrically recorded records well (like Scroll label type). It's a modestly sized tabletop with fantastic sound, like this:

Thanks much George, wife still have her heart on the 50 at the moment. If she change her mind I’ll let you know.

erinN wrote:

Phono-Phan wrote:If you are anywhere near Central Wisconsin, I have a few that would work great for you.
Ken

We live in Chicago it’s not that far.l lol

Eric

I may have a VV-50 available. Give me a couple of days to do some digging. You're only a few hours away. Shipping wouldn't be that bad either.
Ken Brekke

Phono-Phan wrote:

erinN wrote:

Phono-Phan wrote:If you are anywhere near Central Wisconsin, I have a few that would work great for you.
Ken

We live in Chicago it’s not that far.l lol

Eric

I may have a VV-50 available. Give me a couple of days to do some digging. You're only a few hours away. Shipping wouldn't be that bad either.
Ken Brekke

Thanks much Ken

A collection of "Victrola symphony records"? If they are of complete works spread across two or more records in multi-sleeve albums, you don't want a Victrola IV or VI; those are more appropriate for acoustic records, and the ones you have will almost certainly be electric recordings. You *can* play such on a IV or VI, but the results will not be nearly as good as on a machine designed for later records. Could you post photos of a few labels?

This suggestion will not be popular here, I know, but records of that sort can be played on modern turntables and yield surprisingly good sound, assuming you fit out the system properly with some appropriate styli and electronics. If you dub them to computer, you can also splice out the side breaks for continuous performances. Might be worth considering unless you just want to take the plunge into the world of antique phonographs. If you are interested in going that route, I've written a number of articles for TNT-Audio about playback of 78s on modern gear, and I'd be happy to give you links.

Yes, somehow my earlier reply disappeared after I wrote it, but as a collector of classical and opera sets I would guess that these (or at least some of them) may be from the 1930s and 40s. If so, especially for the later ones, you may want to look into a modern turntable with a stylus appropriate for 78s. There are a number of cartridges still available with 3 mil or other appropriate styli available and a few turntables with a 78 speed (some with variable speed as well).

In terms of earlier phonographs, you would be better off with something after 1925 or so that it designed for the playback of electrical, rather than acoustic, recordings. I, and many others, shift back and forth between earlier machines, Orthophonics (or other later machines), and modern equipment depending on the recording.

A few examples of the records would help in identifying what would be best suited for them.

Bill

Bill and DRH,

I need to double check on the records.
Is there a guide on the net on how to determine which records (record numbers?/ labels?) are playable on an antique phonograph?

Eric

I have a VV-50 and a VV-1-70. They both play well, but the VV-1-70 probably sounds "better/louder" with the larger #4 reproducer. That being said, I like the VV-50 better as an all around machine and a #4 reproducer would work well on it... an oak one would be better. The VV-1-70 is a lower end, late model Victrola...

oops