The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi guys! I may pick up this piece tomorrow for $70, can anyone date it and tell me what model it is? It is in good condition and works (according to the person I am buying it from) Any info will help thanks!

I can't help with model ID or vintage, but the lid and internal hardware look very similar to a Silvertone floor-model in oak that I acquired this fall.


The hardware is of decent quality, has a nice stout Saal motor, and the cabinet is of good construction.

Based on the size and performance of my machine, I would venture that this table model is about the same size and performance as a Victrola VV- VIII or a Columbia "Jewel".


This machine looks like a nice deal for $70...


Good luck !

I'd say that's the Model VI from the 1920 catalog, according to what appears in this ad (page 110) from the June 1920 issue of Popular Science Monthly --

http://books.google.com/books?id=xCkDAA ... ph&f=false
HTH,
Joe

Joe,

Thanks for posting that advertising illustration !

Looks like my floor model is the VIII "Adam".

If it is in as good condition as it appears to be from the pictures when you check it out, $70 seems a good buy if you have room for it.

Clay

Joe_DS nailed it - it's a 1920 model VI. Many Silvertones had a paper label on the motor board underneath the turntable that had the model listed on it.

Good deal for $70. A lot of people used to knock Silvertones, but the ones I've owned have been well-built machines.

Alright guys, I just got back home and I have the Silvertone phonograph now. The wood is in wonderful shape, and everything inside is in wonderful condition. The reproducer needs to be rebuilt or replaced, the motor runs like a champ though! If anyone has an extra reproducer please let me know!

Looks like a lovely machine !

I am curious as what that bit of mesh fabric / gauze is in the throat of the reproducer ?

Also, regarding the grille cloth, whatever is there looks very old, and might be original (?); if the grille comes-out ( lift-up and pull out at bottom ), carefully examine and photograph the remains, for reference on fitting new cloth.


The wood and nickel all look they're in fine shape !

The reproducer needs to be rebuilt, but they pretty much all do by the time they're 94 years old. Not a really big deal. Most Silvertone phonos from 1920 and 1921 had thin mesh cloth over the horn grille. If it were any thinner it would have been transparent. Very hard to find an original one totally intact.

For $70, you did good!

De Soto Frank wrote:Looks like a lovely machine !

I am curious as what that bit of mesh fabric / gauze is in the throat of the reproducer ?

Silvertone reproducers like this have a piece of rubber tubing in the back to hold them into the arm- it commonly shrinks and hardens with age and it looks to me as if someone stuffed a piece of the grille cloth into the fitting to tighten it.

The only piece that appears to be missing is the adapter to play vertical cut discs. (Edit- I see that it's in the plastic bag in the first pictures. It is stored in the holder to the right of the tone arm)