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Just yesterday I saw a VTLA on craigslist for 200 bucks, So of course I went to check it out. It's missing reproducer, Crank escutcheon and some minor dents here and there nothing major..But the top veneer is completely gone -_- But for 200 i figure i pick it up anyways. I never done veneering before and I'm wondering what my options are.
1 Find a new lid?
2 reveneer?
3 Part the machine
I don't have a picture of the top atm but basically the veneer is gone

Hello!

This lid could easily receive new veneer and still match the cabinet reasonably well if it received the touch of an expert. That's the approach I would recommend. You could probably apply the new veneer yourself, but matching the stain and finish to the rest of the cabinet is truly an art. Where are you located, roundabouts? I know of a few really solid and reasonable restoration professionals here on Eastern Seaboard.

A replacement lid, if it could even be located, would probably not match. Given the time that has passed since these were built, I've seen a tremendous variation in the finish on these Victrolas due to sunlight, wear and tear, etc.

I would not recommend parting it out. You got a very scarce Victrola for a great price, especially if the albums and other accessories are there. Even if you spend a little to get it properly fixed up, you'd still come in under what it's worth. I wish I still had my L-door XVI!

-Garret

I think downsouth is parting out a vtla

By all means re-veneer it...Searching for a matching replacement could take a long time...I once got a VV-120 for a very good price , but in this case the lid was gone...It shouldn't be too difficult a task to find a mahogony lid for a VV-120...the VV-XVI should be the same.....WRONG!!! I must have tried 100 Victor lids before I found one that was close , not exact , but close enough to pass...I had the same experience for the lid on a electric Granada...geeze!!!!! on a Granada you'd think that all the lids would be the same size...they only made it for 3 years....Why change the lid dimentions? but they did!....a good ¼ in in both directions.....waaaaaaaaa!!!

I forgot, the reason I thought about getting a new lid was because the inside of the lid is also damage. Nipper look like someone keyd him,the maybe ⅛ in deep scratches all over. I'm not in a hurry to restore this one..since i have too many projects atm. So I was thinking just wait around for a lid that maybe match. But does anyone have experience on re veneering cost? The size of the lid is 19 ¼ in x 21 ¼ in, I don't know if that is a usual size.

Please contact George Vollema at Great Lakes Antique Phonograph. His contact info is in the Links section of the Forum. Last summer at Union I delivered a parts cabinet for a VTLA. The veneer from one of the sides would be ideal for your repair. Because it's already red mahogany, it would be much easier to match the color and grain of your Victrola. Jerry

Like Moo said, I have a complete lid for your VTLA.

Regards, Wes

bingchen1 wrote:I forgot, the reason I thought about getting a new lid was because the inside of the lid is also damage. Nipper look like someone keyd him,the maybe ⅛ in deep scratches all over. I'm not in a hurry to restore this one..since i have too many projects atm. So I was thinking just wait around for a lid that maybe match. But does anyone have experience on re veneering cost? The size of the lid is 19 ¼ in x 21 ¼ in, I don't know if that is a usual size.

Someone was probably carrying in on its back with a needle still sitting in the reproducer when it was being moved. Such care....

Good luck with your search.

Duchesne wrote:

bingchen1 wrote:I forgot, the reason I thought about getting a new lid was because the inside of the lid is also damage. Nipper look like someone keyd him,the maybe ⅛ in deep scratches all over. I'm not in a hurry to restore this one..since i have too many projects atm. So I was thinking just wait around for a lid that maybe match. But does anyone have experience on re veneering cost? The size of the lid is 19 ¼ in x 21 ¼ in, I don't know if that is a usual size.

Someone was probably carrying in on its back with a needle still sitting in the reproducer when it was being moved. Such care....

Good luck with your search.

I was wondering how and why someone did that! I thought someone really didn't like nipper. I pmed wes about the lid and hope it fits.

bingchen1 wrote:I pmed wes about the lid and hope it fits.

If it doesn't fit, just use the top part of the lid.