The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

audiophile102 wrote: Wed Mar 01, 2023 9:34 am I asked Roger Merenkov who I consider an expert on all things Victrola. He said the motor boards were all made of birch wood including the cercassian walnut machines.

I have to respectfully disagree. The grain on my Mahogany “B” is definitely not Birch and my Oak “C” has an Oak motor board. I think that the square, center section may be Birch, but the part that shows is the same wood as the cabinet's veneer.

The only Victor XVI circassian L-door "B" models I can find are serial numbers 17879, 17882 and 17890 which suggest that they were run in lots as the serial numbers were so close. This makes me wonder how many circassians were made and how many still survive.

Mike

Thanks to a few member here, I will have all the wooden parts to complete that part of this machine. I will get the record storage pieces next month but I now have the motor board. All the parts are mahogany finish so they will need to be sanded, bleached and restained. The good part is I will have extra pieces to practice on to get the right shade.

The disappointing part is the original hacker took a bit too much meat off the right side and a bit still shows on that side. I was hoping the board would cover the area but I'll have to figure out a way to repair that are so it's not noticeable. When I get all the parts I will do them all at the same time as to make them match as best as I can. After the wood pieces all get finished, I will turn my attention to the rest.

Thanks everyone for their help and an extra shout out to the members who have provided me with the parts to make this machine whole again.

Mike