New guy here, GREAT site!

[hvychev]

Hi everyone and thanks for the VERY interesting and informative posts. Well, I got bit by the bug and want to buy a Victrola. I might be a bit younger then the average buyer/enthusiast (36 years old), but I have collected antiques my whole life. I have had a Victrola on my mind for some time now and am ready to take the plunge. I have been getting an education here as well as other Internet sites, and am on the look out for the right machine. A Victor floor model really appeals to me, I am after a certain style (I am still getting familiar with each model, I attached a link below of what I am after). I live 9 miles west of downtown Chicago and would like to buy a machine locally. I have been keeping an eye on Craigslist and found one I liked but the seller jerked me around and sold t out from under me the other day so I am still looking. I am looking for a very nice original that is play ready. I was recommended to a dealer named Ron Haring who is located in Plano, IL who claims to be one of the biggest dealers in the Midwest. I spoke to him and he seems ok, I am sure people here know who he is, should I proceed with him? I would rather buy a machine from an individual as opposed to a dealer for a variety of reasons, but I figure if the dealer has a good reputation then maybe I will see how that goes. Obviously I would like to buy the nicest piece as reasonably priced as possible, but buying from dealers usually doesn't come cheap. I am not afraid to pay up for the right machine but I don't want to overpay either. Does anyone have anything like I described or can offer a beginner any advice?

This is the style floor model I am after, this one would have been perfect for me, accessories and all! http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 3&start=10

[Henry]

Welcome to the board! As you've already discovered, you'll find all sorts of phonograph expertise represented here by dozens of members. I don't claim any special knowledge compared to the experts, but I can offer some of my experience.

The model in the link is a VV-XI, one of the most common Victrolas; more than 800,000 were made, in several models and revisions over time. The link shows a later model XI in oak, not nearly as common as mahogany, and it's a particularly lovely one IMO. I have a XI in mahogany, a model G version made in 1917, serial 370333-G. As an earlier model, mine has a slightly different treatment of certain cabinet details and mechanicals than the later one shown (e.g., upper corners of the front post carvings, four slats in the horn opening rather than three, original rather than "fat" tone arm [officially "taper tube" in Victorspeak], Exhibition sound box rather than no. 2, different speed regulator, motor, etc.). Whether these changes resulted in improved sound output is not definitively established. All I can say is that I'm extremely pleased with my XI, which I acquired in 1980 for $100. Today I would expect to pay around, maybe, $250 for one in excellent condition, as mine was then (and still is!).

If you wish to learn more by acquiring some reference materials, I highly recommend the books by Robert Baumbach: "Look for the Dog" and "The Victor Data Book," available here:
http://www.mulhollandpress.com/Books.htm (see the top two listings on that page). These works have become standard references in the field of Victor studies, but there are several others.

This post barely scratches the surface of an almost inexhaustible topic, but as you now know, when you got the itch you gotta scratch it!

[JohnM]

I would definitely recommend you see Ron.

[phono-smitten]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
I purchased my first machine almost a year ago so am fairly new to talking machines as well. I had Ron Haring service my first machine and recommend him. I haven't purchased a machine from him so can't speak about his prices but I think in general dealers prices are pretty competitive. Yes, they may be pricier than a cheap 'deal' found in a local ad but often these will need to be serviced and if you do not want to do this yourself you will have to sink more money into having someone do the work.

Also, if you're interested in seeing a bunch of machines and dealers there is a big phonograph show in Union, IL in June.

Good luck!

[hvychev]

Thanks for the responses! I talked to Ron and told him what I am looking for. He said he has a few models available, one in particular is a Mahogany XIV in very nice original condition. He said that one would be $495 where his nicer units start at. That seemed kind of high to me, is it? What should I expect to pay for a very nice original. How about one done in Oak?

[ambrola]

Thanks for the responses! I talked to Ron and told him what I am looking for. He said he has a few models available, one in particular is a Mahogany XIV in very nice original condition. He said that one would be $495 where his nicer units start at. That seemed kind of high to me, is it? What should I expect to pay for a very nice original. How about one done in Oak?

That seems a little high to me. As for oak, they made tons of them. Oak is no harder to get. Talk to Ron again and just make him an offer around 300.00. You never know. Besides, most antique shops have at least one or two of this style Victrola they would love to move.

[jimmantwo]

Thanks for the responses! I talked to Ron and told him what I am looking for. He said he has a few models available, one in particular is a Mahogany XIV in very nice original condition. He said that one would be $495 where his nicer units start at. That seemed kind of high to me, is it? What should I expect to pay for a very nice original. How about one done in Oak?

That seems a little high to me. As for oak, they made tons of them. Oak is no harder to get. Talk to Ron again and just make him an offer around 300.00. You never know. Besides, most antique shops have at least one or two of this style Victrola they would love to move.

I don't know the production numbers, but you'll see about 20 mahogany XI's for every one you see in oak and are therefore much harder to find (in oak). They weren't as popular at the time so there were less made. Ron's quote for a XIV is likely fair - he knows what he is doing. JR

[phonogfp]

You might ask Ron which model the XIV is. At Union he had a nice mahogany XIV in the early straight-columned, Queen Anne leg style. That's a much scarcer machine than the later XIV, and that might account for the price.

George P.

[VintageTechnologies]

I highly recommend Ron Haring. I have bought a lot of machines from him and have found him to be honest, fair and reasonable to deal with. His prices are usually quite good. Therefore Ron turns over his merchandise quickly. I just bought two horn machines from Ron a couple of weeks ago.

[hvychev]

I really appreciate the additional responses. I will let everyone know what happened.