The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A friend of mine learned of an Oak VV 50 for sale near where I live (Florida). Evidently the father of a business acqaintance had listed it on Craigslist last week. Great Condition was the headline. "Works" was bold in the description with an Edison DD pictured on the turntable. I called and quizzed the seller after we chatted briefly about our mutual acquaintence. "Does it work", I asked? "Yes" was the reply? I attempted to explain this was the wrong record for this machine. His reply was that he doesn't know much about them, and doesn't really care to learn. I asked again, "so did you play it with a correct 78 record?". "I played this one and it spins" was the reply "but it didn't sound very good". OKaaay.

Well the price was right...if it works. The finish was good, so I took a chance and made the hour and a half drive to see it today. I brought my own 10 inch 78 and new needles. As I swapped them out, I again explained the difference between 78's and DD's but he made it clear, he didn't care. The machine looks nice, and at this point I'm still optomistic. I let the motor unwind and then rewound sufficiently to play two 10 inch records. As I wound I heard it thunk a time or two. I'm thinking just maybe some hardened grease in the springs.No loud thud, just a couple of small thunks. The record starts and the speed is a bit high, so I adjust the speed control. The record only plays about ¼ of the way through. I thougt maybe I needed to crank a little more. I changed the needle again and tried to play, but again it plays fast, I adjust the speed and again it only plays ¼ of the way through. I wound it one more time, this time I felt it reach the full tightness and stopped. I changed the needle again, I flipped the record and played it one more time, without adjusting the speed. Again only ¼ of the way through.

So now I feel a little deflated. I already have a Mahogany VV-50, But I would have like to have an Oak machine too. What causes the loss of power on the VV-50 motors? The price was good for a working machine but not for one that needs motor work, not to me anyway. If it were a simple repair, I might consider it, but short of an easy lube job,I'm not interested in a spring replacement, not at this price. I declined. He seemed a little perturbed and left me standing in his garage. Hey, he said it worked.

So this seems to happen more often than not. I go to see an item for sale, and there is something that the seller didn't know, or perhaps knew, but neglected to disclose, leaving me disappointed, empty handed and in this case out ½ a tank of gas and half a day wasted. I wish sellers were a little more forthcoming with information, but as a business competitor once told me, all is fair in business. And it seems that more people are trying to make a business out of selling second hand merchandise on Craigslist these days. I guess the old caveat "Buyer Beware" applies (especially)here.

I'm not interested in another project machine but if someone else is, I could share the particulars with you.Just send me a Private message.

Bill

Seems like someone has shortened the spring, It was quite common in my repair to find springs that were broken to trimmed, and a new hole drilled. It seems early Victors break at the Center (and Edison's too) while later Victors break at the outer end, which is easily snipped off, re annealed, an new pear hole drilled (or grinded) and it hooked up and will run but not powerful. If a machine is also left wound up for years, the springs lose the power too. It sounds like it needs a new mainspring, clean and re-greased. I am of the opinion ALL original talking machines need the springs and motors de-greased and new lubricant, otherwise continued play, the dirt will grind the gears and bushings away fast.Machines like the Victor I, O,Victrola IV all seem to be underpowered A new spring usually helps them out. Although my little O will power through most records fine.

Hmm, I guess it could be a shortened spring. It did a bit of a "greasy" odor. I did ask what the smell was from. Of course he didn't know

How often do we see items advertised for sale with the warning "no time wasters". Sellers can be time wasters too!

Most of us have probably had similarly frustrating experiences.

BTW, since I do know a little about this seller being we have a mutual acquaintance, he is an ex used car salesman! So to kind of put it into context. When I asked if he played the phonograph, it as kind of asking if he drove the car. It's in excellent condition. But did you drive it? No, but it starts. When you arrive for a test drive the eight cylinder engine is only running on three cylinders. If you don't want to buy it, I'll find another buyer. Mmmhumm, there's a sucker born every minute

I went to see this machine on Monday at noon. Evidently he bumped the listing around 5:00PM later that evening.

Still listed as working and in Excellent shape, even though he knows it doesn't play through a record?

Here is the listing

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/atq/4173018926.html

Can't you complain to Craigslist ?

I'm really not out to make trouble for the guy, especially because of the mutual acquaintance. I'm just venting frustration here.

You would think that once he knew the machine did not work right, he may mention it, or at least modify the listing so not to imply that it is in Excellent, working order, when in fact he now knows it is not?