The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have an original Victor IV. The problem is the back bracket has no stripping left on it. I got water slides from Eduardo, but have hesitated putting them on. I know how they will look, new. What would you do if it was yours? I am stumped on this one. here's a picture, but you can't see the whole bracket, but it has no stripping at all. If you click on the pic a couple times, you can see the bracket.

Hello,
I know that some will probably say just leave it as is but I would put the decals on. However you need to make sure you do a good job. If it were me I would have purchased the decals from Gregg Cline ( excellent quality) or even better sent the back bracket to Gregg and have him do the work. You don't want the finished product to look bright shiny new. A coat or two of orange shellac will give the decals that aged look.
Pete

I'd be more concerned about the brass tonearm, then deal with the decals..

blizz

Since these brackets had decals "originally"....clearly it should be "restored" back. I don't think it will effect value either way. The machine has a repro horn (I believe) anyway. As mentioned already the tone arm appears to need re-plating also. Unless it's just the photo making the arm look brassy..??.
Either way....you can always buy an original "clean" bracket on Ebay to replaced the re- decaled one in the future.

Hard to tell from the picture but it appears the detailing on the back bracket is completely gone. In that case, I'd definitely redo it. Now comes the question… Those back brackets were in some cases gold, in some cases a more elaborate blue and gold. How can one be sure which type of decoration this particular machine would have had?

Finally, to really top it off, I'd buff out the horn so it's a bit less shiny. Someone here can give guidance on how. I'd re-nickel the tonearm too.

If all of the above is done right, you'll have quite an attractive machine there.

You guys are right on all points. This is the machine I got for 650.00. I think I will just do a complete restore of all the parts. The nickel is gone on the tone arm, not a sign of stripping on the back bracket. The horn is one of Eduardos, but I do have the original flower horn. Just what I need, another major project.

I have to agree that if you do the restoration you will have a real fine looking machine. I will say that the reproduction mahogany horn is just stunning!!!
Pete

I don't "restore" any of my machines. They're old, and I see no reason they should look "new". Beyond repairing broken parts, cleaning & getting them working properly, all my stuff reflects its age & history.

I recently restored a VIC-III where the plating was all completely gone, leaving nothing but verdigris covered brass. Victrola Repair Service in Vermont advertised on their website that they did nickel replating in a way to produce "an old-fashioned, mellow nickel finish." As the local plating shop I had been using gave a much too perfect, obviously new look, I decided to try VRS. I am very pleased with the result. Now it looks like a good quality survivor rather than a forlorn derelict.

Clay

Edisone wrote:I don't "restore" any of my machines. They're old, and I see no reason they should look "new". Beyond repairing broken parts, cleaning & getting them working properly, all my stuff reflects its age & history.

I'm of similar thought. I don't want anything I have to look "new", but instead "respectable". I think it looks fine as it is. If the machine was a complete basket case, it would be something else - then I would say restore until your heart is content. Fresh nickel plating and new paint/decals doesn't look natural on a 100 year old machine.