new machine... many questions

[banjo_picker]

Hi-

I am new to the world of vintage talking machines and the records that they play. I have done a lot of internet research, but still have many questions. I hope you can help out a newbie.

I just picked up a Victor VV-VIIIA machine that needs fixing up. The serial number (102xxx) dates it to 1918. There are three main things wrong with it, but otherwise it is in good shape. First, the veneer is peeling up, which I can easily fix with some glue and clamps. It will never be a show queen, but for my purposes it will be fine. Second, it came with a no-name reproducer, which I will replace with a Victor No. 2 soundbox. The tone arm is original from what I can tell. Last, it has a broken mainspring. I disassembled it last night and got the springs out... one is good and the other is broken in the middle. The governor is intact and working and the gears look to be in good shape. I watched a six part series on youtube where a guy completely disassembled a similar unit... from that I believe that my motor unit is in good shape except for the things I mentioned.

Questions:

1) The springs are 1.25" wide and have a pear shaped attachment point and a bump that fits into the slot on the gear wheels. I don't know the length. There are a number of different springs on ebay, and I am not sure which one to get. Any help would be appreciated.

2) Ideally I want to get a No. 2 reproducer that needs to be rebuilt. I want the experience of doing it myself. Is there a source for these some place besides ebay?

3) I am mainly interested in listening to "hillbilly" music such as the Carter Family and the Delmore Brothers. I am not sure if all 78s can be played on the victrola. How does one know which record are ok to play and which aren't? I assume anything with a Victor label is ok. How about Montgomery Ward? I have found some Carter Family 78s on ebay for an exhorbitant price ($20+). Is that normal or are the sellers on a fishing trip?

I guess that's all for now. Thanks for any and all replies!

-Matt

[fran604g]

Welcome!

I think you'll find the answers to your questions here, and more!

As for parts, they are readily available and there are several people that may chime in. The first thing you should do is a simple Google search for; "Victrola Parts".

I'm sure George Vollema (http://www.victroladoctor.com), APSCO (http://www.antiquephono.com/) and Wyatt's Musical Americana (http://www.wyattsmusical.com) can all help you out.

Good Luck!

[ambrola]

Hi-

I am new to the world of vintage talking machines and the records that they play. I have done a lot of internet research, but still have many questions. I hope you can help out a newbie.

I just picked up a Victor VV-VIIIA machine that needs fixing up. The serial number (102xxx) dates it to 1918. There are three main things wrong with it, but otherwise it is in good shape. First, the veneer is peeling up, which I can easily fix with some glue and clamps. It will never be a show queen, but for my purposes it will be fine. Second, it came with a no-name reproducer, which I will replace with a Victor No. 2 soundbox. The tone arm is original from what I can tell. Last, it has a broken mainspring. I disassembled it last night and got the springs out... one is good and the other is broken in the middle. The governor is intact and working and the gears look to be in good shape. I watched a six part series on youtube where a guy completely disassembled a similar unit... from that I believe that my motor unit is in good shape except for the things I mentioned.
Questions:

1) The springs are 1.25" wide and have a pear shaped attachment point and a bump that fits into the slot on the gear wheels. I don't know the length. There are a number of different springs on ebay, and I am not sure which one to get. Any help would be appreciated.

2) Ideally I want to get a No. 2 reproducer that needs to be rebuilt. I want the experience of doing it myself. Is there a source for these some place besides ebay?

3) I am mainly interested in listening to "hillbilly" music such as the Carter Family and the Delmore Brothers. I am not sure if all 78s can be played on the victrola. How does one know which record are ok to play and which aren't? I assume anything with a Victor label is ok. How about Montgomery Ward? I have found some Carter Family 78s on ebay for an exhorbitant price ($20+). Is that normal or are the sellers on a fishing trip?

I guess that's all for now. Thanks for any and all replies!

-Matt

Matt,
I will try to answer your questions. And welcome to the hobby.


1. Call Ron Sitko for your main springs. He has the best prices and good parts. His contact is in the link section here.

2. I would ask on the Yankee Trader section here for a Reproducer. I am sure there are collectors that will help you with one.

3. Yes, you can play any 78 rpm on your machine. Change the needle after each record. The older records sound better on a early machine. Later records were made for orthaphonics, but still sound ok. Don't pay over a couple dollars for a record. Of course there are records worth a lot of money, but a Carter Family isn't one of them.

[alang]

Hi Matt, welcome to the forum and to the hobby. The VV-VIIIa is a very nice good quality machine. You will get many hours of enjoyment out of it.

To your questions:

1) Ron Sitko is a great resource for main springs and other spare parts. He does not have a web site, but can be reached via phone (518) 371-8549. Best to call in the evening after 7 EST.

2) You can get reproducers from any of the phonograph suppliers, but you may find them cheaper on eBay - especially if you want to rebuild it yourself.

3) Ideally you should play only acoustically recorded 78s on your Victrola. This means anything up to about 1927-1930. Later records from the 1930s and 40s may or may not play well. Many electrically recorded 78s may blast or sound shrill on these early machines. Never play late vinyl 78s on your Victrola, they will be desctroyed by the steel needle and the heavy reproducer. Search this forum, there are many discussion around this topic. I can't help with your specific interest, sorry.

Andreas

[zenith82]

Hillbilly records are like any other genre. You have some that are worth a considerable amount of money and others that are common. Most Carter Family records are fairly common. Not quite as common as Vernon Dalhart, but not far behind. These are maybe $3-$4 records if they are in good condition. The good thing is, you can play these on your Victor as much as you want. I would not play the rarer records on there.

Much of the Columbia 15000 series from the late 1920s is hillbilly. These are early electrically recorded discs. While they can still be played on your Victrola, I wouldn't over-do it. There are some gems in the 15000 series Columbias.

And ALWAYS use a new, fresh needle for each play.

[banjo_picker]

Thanks for the info. I will definitely try to contact Ron.

As far as the records go.. I'm not into collecting the rare ones. I just want to hear the music in the format that it was originally intended. There is something cool about playing those old records on a mechanical machine from the same time period. I guess I don't have to explain that to anybody here!

Does anybody know of a good place to get Carter Family and other records like that in decent listenable condition for a reasonable price? If you search "Carter Family 78" on ebay you see people asking anywhere from $10 up to $40, plus 10 buck for shipping. That seems crazy.

Since they are not rare I guess it could be a large demand making the price high. but I wouldn't think there are that many people into these records. I am continuing to Google around, but maybe somebody can give me some tips on where to look. Thanks!

[FloridaClay]

Welcome!

I would just add that there are antique phonograph shows at different locations around the country throughout the year, perhaps the granddaddy of them being the one in Union, IL, coming up in June.

http://wildwesttown.com/nav/phonograph.html

I see you are in North Carolina. There is an annual show coming up in Charlotte THIS WEEKEND.

http://open1234.wix.com/camps-site#!__phono-show

These are great places to pick up phonographs, parts, and records and also just to just kibitz, meet collectors, and learn.

Clay

[JohnM]

Matt,
I just sent you a PM.

[ambrola]

Matt,
I am in NC. If you could come to my home, I will give you some good Carter Family and other country. Just pm me.

[banjo_picker]

Matt,
I am in NC. If you could come to my home, I will give you some good Carter Family and other country. Just pm me.

PM sent!