The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I bought the Vic O from James that had been stripped and refinished. I've worked on the finish and have it looking pretty good. I had a Vic O horn that had been painted black and have got that repainted. I need to find a back bracket, tonearm and elbow. Is there any other Vic model that will fit this besides the O if I can't find one. I know it wouldn't be original but that ship sailed long ago with the refinishing. Opinions anyone? Thanks, Jan.

I can't answer your question about the back bracket (I think it is unique to the O, but am not sure)
but I like that horn color better than what Victor did.
Dave D

Thanks Dave, It's actually a little darker yellow than the picture shows (flash). I had a different yellow on it first but it was just too bright. I haven't seen an original and was just going by a few that are on the internet. I have a couple of books with pictures of Vic O's but each describes the color of the horn differently so not sure what the original color actually is. From the parts list for the O that I found, it seems there were at least 2 different back brackets, tonearms and elbows. This has the late model brake so I'm thinking it should have the slip in elbow, tonearm with the goose neck. I would think that a Vic I or II might work, but don't know. I was hoping the more experienced collectors would know. Jan.

By my knowledge, Victor O should have many personalized components.
So, I don't think that could be possible use material compatible with other Victor phonographs. Surely, soundbox is own.

But I can be in error...

Your Victor O used a tone arm with a built in crook. It did not have a goose neck. The arm lifted up and down in a cradle. The reproducer was a variation of the Exhibition. The bezel was pressed fitted. These reproducers are tough to find. Sure you could use a regular Exhibition until you find the correct one. The elbow is a tiny, specially made one for the O. A regular slip in elbow will not work in a slip in Victor I or II bracket. The elbow is shorter than an early Vic I elbow, so the horn end will fit. The ID tag is missing, and that's a tough part to find. I don't know if any one is reproducing these tags. Then you have to approximate the S/N. It's a project, but worth it.
Harvey Kravitz

Phonofreak wrote:Your Victor O used a tone arm with a built in crook. It did not have a goose neck. The arm lifted up and down in a cradle. The reproducer was a variation of the Exhibition. The bezel was pressed fitted. These reproducers are tough to find. Sure you could use a regular Exhibition until you find the correct one. The elbow is a tiny, specially made one for the O. A regular slip in elbow will not work in a slip in Victor I or II bracket. The elbow is shorter than an early Vic I elbow, so the horn end will fit. The ID tag is missing, and that's a tough part to find. I don't know if any one is reproducing these tags. Then you have to approximate the S/N. It's a project, but worth it.
Harvey Kravitz

Thanks for the info Harvey. I found this parts list and it shows the late Vic O with a tonearm with a goose neck and no cradle. I believe the one I have is this model because of the brake mechanism. What do you think? Thanks, Jan

Phonofreak wrote:Your Victor O used a tone arm with a built in crook. It did not have a goose neck.
Harvey Kravitz

I used to think so too, but after looking through the Victor Data Book, I saw that in 1911 Victor switched to a "Taper, with goose neck" with Serial numbers 15000 and up, roughly. Seems counter-intuitive since we're so used to seeing the one piece taper tube.

Phonogal, I'm not sure what Victor called the paint color for the Vic-0, but I'd compare the paint scheme to the color of a No 2 pencil with a red eraser

Retrograde wrote:
Phonogal, I'm not sure what Victor called the paint color for the Vic-0, but I'd compare the paint scheme to the color of a No 2 pencil with a red eraser

I had the yellow a little darker but when I added the red it just seemed too bright but maybe that is more like what it was originally. I may repaint it with the darker yellow. When I hold a pencil up to it, the pencil is definitely more orangy-yellow than what I have. Jan

If you have a Vic O, would you please measure the back bracket for me. Thanks, Jan.

The horn connector to tone arm on my Vic 0. The part that goes in the back bracket on mine is 1"until the shoulder 1 ⅛" across the part that goes into the back bracket. The length from where the horn opening to the end of the curve is 4" The diameter of the end that the horn goes in is 2" across the opening. My victor 0 has the one piece arm with the crook solid with the tone arm. Below are photos that explain more.