The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Finally was able to acquire a VV-XVI L-door phonograph c.1911. Has a few issues but it is beautiful! Needs springs, a tune up, and the Exhibition reproducer needs to be rebuilt, but I think I can do that. CDB

The "L" door XVI is such an elegant machine. I remember being so excited with my first one. We bought it in Victoria, BC thanks to a lead from my then new friend, Don Mayer. That was about thirty five years ago. I still have the Victrola and a great friendship with Don. Jerry Blais

Congratulations CDB.
The L-door XVI is a great machine!
After hoping to find an L-door at a reasonable price for many years, I found a nice one on Craigslist in Philadelphia two years ago.
My youngest daughter has already claimed it for her own.
Gene

Very nice ! Is yours Walnut or brown Mahogany ?

The one pictured above is definitely Mahogany.

Sean

De Soto Frank wrote:Very nice ! Is yours Walnut or brown Mahogany ?

Nice mahogany. Needs some cleaning. Should ne fun! CDB

Those darn L-Doors will get you every time. We got my wife's G-Grandfather's machine and I have been hooked every since! The machines just look so darn cool with the doors shaped that way and the record boxes instead of albums. Looks great now, will look awesome after your done with it, if your previous posts are any indication.

Did yours have a key? Does it take the regular "V" key, or a wreath key? I recently picked up a wreath key, if you need one pm me.

The later L-Door XVIs like Cliff's use a standard V-key.

Sean

I have some V keys and they work fine. Only 1 gold plated, though, came with the standard doors XVI next to the "L" door. Going to the shoppe today to rebuild the reproducer and see what is broken in the motor. I've never taken apart a motor like this one, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to need springs. The turntable is unlike any I've seen with the support plate on the spindle and extra ring on the bottom of the turntable. And the spindle screws on the shaft. Wonder what other surprises await. These early machines seem over-engineered compared to what came later.

CDB

I like the picture with the later XVI and the L door for a side by side comparison of the two.