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Hi all,
While on vacation in NC, my DH and I came across a Starr phonograph in an antique shop and fell in love with it. To our surprise, when we tried to play it in the store, it works! However, not knowing anything about them really, I am trying to do a bit of research before jumping in,........I feel it is overpriced, but really don't know.
After hours of Google searches, forum reading, and digging online to find information I am still coming up pretty empty-handed with information regarding this type of phonograph.
We would LOVE any advice, information, and input any of you with knowledge and experience in this area would have for us.
It comes with some needles, missing one needle cup, comes with a few records (apparently it only plays ceramic and you cannot play vinyl, correct? Or are they called 78's?? Not sure. Would love clarification on that as well!), has some water damage to the veneer on the top, has a crank handle, and overall, it plays the records we tried.........
What kind of other information would I need to get off of it to determine a fair price? I was able to find some on ebay (not exactly, but similar), and some on older auction sites, as well as a site that was a Q & A for phonographs like this with estimated values being around $150-$300,.....??????
We are in town for the week and will be leaving on Saturday, so trying to make a decision before then,.......
Also, how accessible are these to repair or 'tune up'? We live in SC, so any repair shops, etc. in SC?
How about buying the records to play?

The store is selling it on consignment I believe, and the price tag reads: Victrola Starr, Working Double Door with a Lift Top. $495.00

Lots of questions, I know, but we are willing to learn and are hungry for information on this 'treasure'.
I am going to try to attach the photos I took of it. I can get more if you need additional photos of it.

fiddleandco wrote:

The store is selling it on consignment I believe, and the price tag reads: Victrola Starr, Working Double Door with a Lift Top. $495.00

$495.......Keep looking for another machine. No deal there and not a big deal machine. Just another of a hundred "off brands" that came on the market during that era. You can do far better on Craigslist.

Overpriced, would be a nice machine at around $200.

The Starr Co. has an interesting history - they started out as builders of fine pianos and branched into the building of phonographs and the making of records. Gennett Records issued many important early jazz records: http://starrgennett.org/stories/history/1.htm

Their machines are well built but mechanically not very interesting.

I agree with the others, and it is too high of a price. Keep looking!

Thank you both for the replies! I did read on the StarrGennett site, but I think I get a little bogged down in some of the technical terminologies, but getting there. It is an interesting history.
What do you mean by mechanically not very interesting?

Some of the other questions, about the records, (ceramics/78's/what's the difference/what can I play on this?? No idea.), and repair availability, I would love to know also.

So, $200- would be a good deal or what this machine would be worth in the condition it's in?

fiddleandco wrote:Thank you both for the replies! I did read on the StarrGennett site, but I think I get a little bogged down in some of the technical terminologies, but getting there. It is an interesting history.
What do you mean by mechanically not very interesting?

Some of the other questions, about the records, (ceramics/78's/what's the difference/what can I play on this?? No idea.), and repair availability, I would love to know also.

So, $200- would be a good deal or what this machine would be worth in the condition it's in?

Feel Free to do a search on our forum for 78's and repair avenue's. You will find many threads that should answer all your questions. Estott's esmitmate of $200 is what the machine is "worth" to a person that wants one.
there is no "in stone" "worth". Most collectors would not even buy a machine like this.

Estott's comment on "mechanically not very interesting" means it's nothing special. Just a basic motor,arm,etc....

gramophone78 wrote: So, $200- would be a good deal or what this machine would be worth in the condition it's in?

Feel Free to do a search on our forum for 78's and repair avenue's. You will find many threads that should answer all your questions. Estott's esmitmate of $200 is what the machine is "worth" to a person that wants one.
there is no "in stone" "worth". Most collectors would not even buy a machine like this.

Estott's comment on "mechanically not very interesting" means it's nothing special. Just a basic motor,arm,etc....[/quote]

$200 is the price at which this machine would be an acceptable buy - looking closer I don't think it's a bargain, the outside of the case looks as if it was stripped and not very well refinished. The arm looks to be in good condition - Starr machines used cast metal arms which are frequently found broken, and are hard to replace.

As to the records, this would be appropriate for records up through the mid 1920's, though records into the early 1930's will sound OK on it. 1940's stuff like Big Bands, Sinatra. Spike Jones - they aren't going to sound good.

estott wrote:As to the records, this would be appropriate for records up through the mid 1920's, though records into the early 1930's will sound OK on it. 1940's stuff like Big Bands, Sinatra. Spike Jones - they aren't going to sound good.

They all sound terrific on my XI. I fully understand OP's fascination with this Starr machine, since I had the same feeling when I first saw "my" XI in a flea market: love at first sight. It cost me $100 in 1980, possibly too much back then, but I was totally inexperienced, and there was no ready source like this board to consult. But if I were OP right now, and just *had* to have this very machine, I'd try to negotiate a better price; failing that, I'd look for a Victrola, for lots of (familiar) reasons: build quality, good sound when properly restored, abundance of replacement parts, and plenty of helpful "how-to" tips from members on the board.

These machines have one nice detail - behind the fretwork the spruce wood horn often has a nice decal.

Henry wrote:

estott wrote:As to the records, this would be appropriate for records up through the mid 1920's, though records into the early 1930's will sound OK on it. 1940's stuff like Big Bands, Sinatra. Spike Jones - they aren't going to sound good.

They all sound terrific on my XI. I fully understand OP's fascination with this Starr machine, since I had the same feeling when I first saw "my" XI in a flea market: love at first sight. It cost me $100 in 1980, possibly too much back then, but I was totally inexperienced, and there was no ready source like this board to consult. But if I were OP right now, and just *had* to have this very machine, I'd try to negotiate a better price; failing that, I'd look for a Victrola, for lots of (familiar) reasons: build quality, good sound when properly restored, abundance of replacement parts, and plenty of helpful "how-to" tips from members on the board.

Thank you all-this is all such valuable information.

Question: What do you mean by "XI"? Is that the type of Victrola? Or, is the Victrola a style? (I see Starr Victrola, Victor Victrola, etc.).