The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

KCW wrote: Mon Apr 17, 2023 4:11 pm Thank you for this advice! Regarding the VV 50, is the price reasonable?

That's in the ballpark, based on what I've seen recently, though I have seen some asking prices way above that on sites such as Craigslist. They tend to remain for sale, sometimes for years.

OF

Hey everyone,

Thoughts on this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/256049899169?_ ... %7Ciid%3A1

It’s a VV 2-55. I can’t decide on this or a VV 50. Looks like this 55 has a rust bed plate, but the hardware looks good. I’m worried that it he 50 will be too bulky, but I do like the wooden cases. Advice appreciated!

I think you'll have to decide for yourself first what kind of machine you want and what's important for you in a portable. The VV-50 is an early portable, very heavy, technologically on a level of a 1915 small table top Victrola like the VV-IV. Beautiful but not the best sound quality with it's Exhibition reproducer. Something like the VV-2-55 is a much smaller and lighter orthophonic portable with much better sound quality especially with electrically recorded disks. Closed, a VV-50 is still quite attractive because it's wood. The newer portables really just look like briefcases if closed, so not much to look at. I personally prefer earlier machines that are not quite as perfected yet, while others prefer the lighter weight and better sound quality of later machines. So are you looking mainly for a nice piece for your collection or are you looking for a "daily player" that you can haul around more easily? Once you make that decision for yourself, your search will become much easier.

Good luck for the hunt!
Andreas

I went with a VV-50 in mahogany. I think the sound is great and I love the wooden box it comes it. I like that the handle is sturdy metal rather than leather, like on some of the other models. I’m super happy with the result. The seller rehabbed the motor and it works perfectly. I couldn’t be happier!

I put a HMV 4 on my VV-50 and it really sounds great now. They are great phonograph, I have 3 and been experimenting with different reproducers and needles. I have a Orthophonic reproducer that was rebuilt by Wyatt Markus that I'm going to try out next.