The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Jerry B. wrote:I have a couple of questions. I looked at the photos and it appears the VV-IV ID tag is still on the side. Perhaps it's where the tag was located and it's a different color. Does it appear that the Victrola ever had doors? I couldn't see marks where hinges were attached. Thanks, Jerry

Those machines use little concealed hinges (more like pivots) at the very top and bottom of the doors. When they're removed the only traces will be the shallow recesses and screw holes where the plates were fastened. The resolution isn't sharp enough to show them.

estott wrote:

Jerry B. wrote:I have a couple of questions. I looked at the photos and it appears the VV-IV ID tag is still on the side. Perhaps it's where the tag was located and it's a different color. Does it appear that the Victrola ever had doors? I couldn't see marks where hinges were attached. Thanks, Jerry

Those machines use little concealed hinges (more like pivots) at the very top and bottom of the doors. When they're removed the only traces will be the shallow recesses and screw holes where the plates were fastened. The resolution isn't sharp enough to show them.

I'm going to try and make it back to the antique store either on Friday or this weekend. With any luck, the machine is still there. I will get some better pictures and will speak to the shop owner to get more info on the machine.

novkev24 wrote:

estott wrote:

Jerry B. wrote:I have a couple of questions. I looked at the photos and it appears the VV-IV ID tag is still on the side. Perhaps it's where the tag was located and it's a different color. Does it appear that the Victrola ever had doors? I couldn't see marks where hinges were attached. Thanks, Jerry

Those machines use little concealed hinges (more like pivots) at the very top and bottom of the doors. When they're removed the only traces will be the shallow recesses and screw holes where the plates were fastened. The resolution isn't sharp enough to show them.

I'm going to try and make it back to the antique store either on Friday or this weekend. With any luck, the machine is still there. I will get some better pictures and will speak to the shop owner to get more info on the machine.

I was able to get back to the antique store this weekend. Here is a video and some pictures of the machine up close.

[youtubehq]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwg2mHuBehw[/youtubehq]

For what it's worth, I have had a Victrola VV-VI which was installed in a lowboy console cabinet. It has an extension on the crank and has a "picture frame" in the host cabinet where the Victrola's doors are located. The machine is complete and only sits inside the larger cabinet but there are several interesting things about this machine. It has a #2 soundbox and the escluteon is not installed on the Victrola itself but is on the outer cabinet. The holes for the screws aqre there and have threads cut into them for screws but it is evident that screws have not been turned into them due to the way the threads are cut into the wood. The top of the machine is finished as well as are the doors but the bottom and sides of the machine are totally unfinished except for one brush stroke over the data plate on the side of the machine; only what shows from the outside cabinet is finished. So, it seems thqat it would be very hard to refinish this machine since it apparently has never enjoyed a full covering finish! Anyone else have a machine like this that has never been finished but is in the "raw"?

Hi Orthophonic,

Do you by chance have any pictures of your modified VV-VI?

-Kevin

Kevin,
That is an interesting set up. I'm glad you got it. That's a very nice Christmas Present for yourself. Like the other posters have said, this could be for a different machine because of the redundant crank hole. My guess is that it is for a later Victrola IV machine. These had the crank towards the rear. You have an early one because of the flat bar crank. The cabinet and backing look old. I would touch up the back to make the cut out more symmetrical. Good luck with your set up, and enjoy it well.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:Kevin,
That is an interesting set up. I'm glad you got it. That's a very nice Christmas Present for yourself. Like the other posters have said, this could be for a different machine because of the redundant crank hole. My guess is that it is for a later Victrola IV machine. These had the crank towards the rear. You have an early one because of the flat bar crank. The cabinet and backing look old. I would touch up the back to make the cut out more symmetrical. Good luck with your set up, and enjoy it well.
Harvey Kravitz

Hi Harvey,

Actually, I didn't purchase the machine. I just took more pictures of it. While I was at the antique store, I ended up purchasing an HMV 102c. The case is a bit scratched up, but mechanically, the machine is solid. Take a look:

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gYmS28uNoM[/youtubehd]

Hi Kevin,
Sorry about that. My bad. The HMV 102c sure is a classy machine. It plays really good. Enjoy it.
Harvey Kravitz

novkev24 wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:Kevin,
That is an interesting set up. I'm glad you got it. That's a very nice Christmas Present for yourself. Like the other posters have said, this could be for a different machine because of the redundant crank hole. My guess is that it is for a later Victrola IV machine. These had the crank towards the rear. You have an early one because of the flat bar crank. The cabinet and backing look old. I would touch up the back to make the cut out more symmetrical. Good luck with your set up, and enjoy it well.
Harvey Kravitz

Hi Harvey,

Actually, I didn't purchase the machine. I just took more pictures of it. While I was at the antique store, I ended up purchasing an HMV 102c. The case is a bit scratched up, but mechanically, the machine is solid. Take a look:

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gYmS28uNoM[/youtubehd]

When I got the machine home, it wouldn't play at a consistent speed. The record kept speeding up and slowing down. I ended up de-grasing the motor and re-packing the spring and lubing up the gears. Also, the governor leather friction pad needed to be trimmed. Luckily, the reproducer was not swelled or cracked.

The the crank is missing the screw on the end. The wooden knob pulls right off... I'll need to look for a replacement.