The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Went antiqueing in Aurora, Oregon and discovered an early VV-330 (SN 951) in one of the antique stores - Diamonds-N-Rust. He's asking a lot, but I suspect a decent offer would probably pry it from him. It's been in the store for some time. The finish needs some touching up, the motor might have problems, he wouldn't let me wind it up, and he would only give it about 20 winds and said he didn't want to go any further than that. Never did get up to speed, might have a broken spring. The hardware looks good, with a gold plated VICTROLA No 2 reproducer.

If anyone wants a fairly rare piece, here is an opportunity to pick one up.

Good luck!

With his attitude, and high price, it will remain in the store for a long time.
Harvey Kravitz

You never mentioned how much he's asking.

brianu wrote:You never mentioned how much he's asking.

$650, but I'm sure that he would take less. He said he would entertain an offer.

This machine is only 45 minutes from me and it would be easy to get to Union. Jerry

Phonofreak wrote:With his attitude, and high price, it will remain in the store for a long time.
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey, you beat me to the post on that one. His prices are very high in that store. He also likes machine himself I believe. I have never bought a thing when I go in there.... .

gramophone78 wrote:

Phonofreak wrote:With his attitude, and high price, it will remain in the store for a long time.
Harvey Kravitz

Harvey, you beat me to the post on that one. His prices are very high in that store. He also likes machine himself I believe. I have never bought a thing when I go in there.... .

you got to wonder, if it's so valuable, why is there sh!t stacked on top of it?

It has been in the store long enough for a significant amount of dust to settle around the 'stuff' stacked on top of it - there was a lot of stuff stacked on it that had to be moved before we could look inside.

He was fishing around to get an offer from me but I told him I needed to check it out first. Mainly, I'm looking for something broken that I can fix. This might be just the thing, but I rarely have to pay more than $100 for a broken phonograph and I'm thinking that, even broken, this is probably worth more than that. Probably should have all 4 springs replaced and tune up the motor. Springs are about $40 each.

I'm going to go back next week and give him a lowball offer. Why don't a bunch of us mosey in there over the next week or so and all make lowball offers. He might get the hint and one of us might get lucky...

CDB

Went back today and cranked the motor all the way with no problems. Seems all 4 springs are still in one piece, though very chunky. Turntable got up to speed and played fine. Ended up buying the machine and a few records for about 40% of his original asking price.

I'll clean up the motor and regrease the springs, refurbish the finish, and it should be a real sweet machine. The crank and interior gold hardware is in good shape, including the screws and a gold plated No.2 reproducer, the exterior hardware - knobs & escutcheons - have a lot of dark spots. All 3 locks are working with an original gold plated Victrola key.

And, I found a well worn 1926 Standing Liberty quarter in the horn compartment.

Life is good.

Cliff

Nice buy - if you are going to get a humpback that is the one to get.