The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all. Just joined. Just got a victrola on Craigslist a couple days ago. Always wanted one. It's not perfect but I talked her down enough to take a chance on it. Hopefully I won't have too many surprises or end up having to invest more than its worth into it.
It's a floor model built around 1918-19 according to a source I found to decode the plate. Model VV XI. Most common according to sources. It's the tiger oak cabinet. The worst part is two of the legs have been repaired so that was my biggest "iffy" about buying it but for $50 I figured it was still worth it.
The story I was told was this lady's dad brought this home in 1975 or so and the kids were told they could not touch it, so she never actually saw it work. I put the crank in and would it up a bit and hit the release lever and it turned fine so I figure the mechanism is good. I do plan on oiling and greasing everything before I actually use it with a record because I'm sure that at the VERY least it hasn't been serviced in 40 years!
Makes a little scraping noise when you hit the brake but I figure it just needs a pad or some grease there. Main issue is the reproducer is missing. I'm assuming I need a #2? Also there is an issue with the tone arm. It is disconnected but its obviously missing a screw or something where it attaches. Came with another arm complete with reproducer but it doesn't fit and I think it says Columbia on it.

Ok, so main issues.... Can someone tell me what reproducer I need, best place and price to get one? I have no issue rebuilding it if needed. Very mechanically inclined.
Need to know if I have correct tone arm and the screw that's missing, also if there is something between the arm and base I need?
Got a Baggie of bits....some kind of brass sleeve that I can't figure out where it goes. Also need a matching screw for the escutcheon plate for the crank. HAve to repair the stripped out holes first.
Also need a key for the lid if anyone has a spare.

Any other tips, suggestions, comments or direction to tutorials and links are welcome.

Now hopefully I can figure out how to post the pics here.

Ok here are the pics

The rest of the pics. Appears 10 per post is maximum
Although it was very easy to post these.

I'd be interested in the value of this arm and whether I should sell on eBay or try to trade it here for the parts I need?

Hello Richard, and welcome to the forum!

That is a beautiful phonograph you got, very nice XI!

The tone-arm looks correct for this 1919 VV-XI. That is the 'fat' taper tube that was introduced on the later phonographs, which is correct for the serial number on yours.

The correct reproducer for this machine will be a Victrola No.2 (picture below). These show up on eBay from time to time. You can also try George Vollema who may have some in his stock. I bet you can even find a good price here at the forum if somebody is selling.

If you need to rebuild the reproducer you can get the needed parts, like diaphragm gaskets, from Ron Sitko. His number is 518-371-8549.

Thank you.
Ok so that's one problem down.
So should I post in the wanted/for sale section for the parts I need?
I'm very excited to get this complete so I can hear it play!

Welcome to the forum and to the great world of phonographs. You have a very handsome machine, very common, but still very nice. What I can see from your pictures you may be missing a few inexpensive parts to connect the tonearm to the back bracket. At the bottom of the back bracket should be a large washer with 5 little half round cut-outs. In each of these cut-outs should be a small ball bearing. Add some grease and then insert the tonearm on top of the ball bearings. Through the top hole of the back bracket goes a pointed metal pin, which holds the tonearm in place. This pin is secured with a small screw from the side. Not sure if you have any of these small parts, but you can get them all from any of the phonograph part suppliers like George Vollema, Ron Sitko, Wyatt's Musical Americana, APSCO, and others. Of course you can also post in the Yankee Trader section of this forum.

Your other tonearm and reproducer are Columbia. These are made from pot metal which has the unfortunate habit of swelling and crumbling if not stored properly. If yours is in good condition, meaning no cracks etc and the joins are moving freely, you will have no problem selling or trading it.

Good luck
Andreas

Awesome. Yes I need all those small parts you mentioned. I didn't have any luck searching he Internet for parts diagram.
The Columbia joints move freely and besides a small bit of corrosion it looks great.

Congrats on your XI. It is indeed a beauty. As to your questions, Player-Tone has already told you about the no. 2 sound box you need, and alang has answered other questions. The brake squeal is from one of two causes: either you have metal-to-metal contact between the inner turntable rim and the brake arm tang, or the leather in that tang is dried out or missing. If it's dry, apply a couple of drops of thin machine oil, or better yet if you have any on hand, neatsfoot oil (it's best for leather). If missing, you can use a bit of rolled-up leather scrap (from shoe repair, leather boot lace, old belt) inserted in the tang. Caution: do not bend the tang, or you risk breaking it: size the leather to fit the tang, not vice-versa. HTH.

Yeah I'll pull the turntable off again and take look and post a pic . I didn't examine it that closely when I pulled it off to get it home.
Should I let the turntable unwind first?
I already figured out the speed control works and set it to 78rpm on the needle.
Guess ill grease and oil everything up at the same time and see what it looks like inside. I hope it not a spider-fest!

Kryptosmaster wrote:Yeah I'll pull the turntable off again and take look and post a pic . I didn't examine it that closely when I pulled it off to get it home.
Should I let the turntable unwind first?
I already figured out the speed control works and set it to 78rpm on the needle.
Guess ill grease and oil everything up at the same time and see what it looks like inside. I hope it not a spider-fest!

It's a good idea to let the tt run down first, but that's not essential for this inspection. However, if you are ever taking down the spring motor, a full run-down is absolutely necessary! Otherwise, when you remove the governor, the spring barrel(s) will release and rotate with great force and suddenness, causing remarkable surprise (and soiled clothing from the lubricant that will be flung all over).

Looks like you lack a needle cup. It fits in the middle hole of the wooden, three-hole needle holder at the left rear of the tt compartment.