The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Phono-Phan wrote:Does Goodwill have sniper bidding?

Most unlikely. I expect they had absolutely no idea what that had (as was likely the case with the person who donated it).

If someone here buys it, I hope they will do a series of posts on what they discover when they get it and on the restoration as it progresses.

Clay

Hammer price $1851. Did anyone on here get it?

Unfreakingbelieveable!

I was the bidder up to $1850.00

and got beat out for a buck.. I was trying to win it since I am flying to Tacoma on Wednesday for work

cheers Bbbj

Valuable, yes. An interesting project to take on, yes. Even so I am very surprised at that number. It needs A LOT of love (and $$$) to make it right.

Clay

Original mahogany horn - $1000
Reproduction mahogany horn - $650 (?)
Gold tone arm - $100
Gold Exhibition - $75
Correct back bracket - $200
Reproduction back bracket - $125
Original gold elbow (good luck) - $350+
Reproduction Sitko gold elbow - $125
Gold clip & screw (never seen them loose) - $150+
Gold back bracket screws (another tough find) - $100+
Correct motor, turntable, brake, & speed control - $400
Original crank - $150+
---------------------------------
Sell the incorrect parts that came with the original purchase
Mobley reproducer - $200 (?)
Incorrect motor, turntable, & crank - $50
Incorrect back bracket, tone arm, & elbow - $250
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If you go the original route, it's a long term project and the total cost is around $4400 minus $500 equals $3900.

If you take the reproduction route and buy reproduction parts where available and purchase nickel parts and have them re-plated, the project could completed quicker and the cost would be around $3700 minus $500 equals $3200.

It appeared from the photos that the incorrect motor used the original crank hole. I don't know if that's possible but there must be extra holes in the deck to accommodate the Victrola motor. Another difficulty is matching the finish on the cabinet with the finish on the horn. Then there's the issue of mixing gold parts. If you re-plate some of the gold parts, the result will be less than satisfactory.

On the plus side, there is a great deal of satisfaction when you bring a machine back from the brink and this machine was at the brink. On the minus side, you have to invest a great deal of effort and a large investment to have, at best, a fair Victor VI.

There are currently two exceptional VI's in the Trader for around $5500. What were those phone numbers.....?

Jerry Blais

I forgot the missing corner pieces $$$ and ?

I second Jerry's point. However, I believe his estimates are conservative, at best! Then when you are all finished with your project, the end result is that you still have a cobbled-up Victor VI. My underlying greatest concern is that I believe the source of this machine absolutely knew what they were doing regarding piecing this thing together to become the masterpiece that it is. I would bet money that there are a variety of unrecognized issues that are yet to be discovered.
Just my FINAL two cents worth!!

Hailey wrote:I second Jerry's point. However, I believe his estimates are conservative, at best! Then when you are all finished with your project, the end result is that you still have a cobbled-up Victor VI. My underlying greatest concern is that I believe the source of this machine absolutely knew what they were doing regarding piecing this thing together to become the masterpiece that it is. I would bet money that there are a variety of unrecognized issues that are yet to be discovered.
Just my FINAL two cents worth!!

i agree with you and also with Jerry. I'd opt to pay a bit more for an un-cobbled example if possible.