The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

There is a Victrola 1-1 locally here that has been nagging at me. I already have a VV XI and a VV 4-7 and don't need another machine, but this might be a nice little one to take to the cottage for the summer and I think the price is decent. Looking at the pictures, it does appear that there are two different pieces of wood in the construction on the back near the decal and not sure if this is typical for these machines or is this a red flag? The posting is listed here:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/atq/4378766030.html

Any feedback on this machine is appreciated - thanks!

I don't know about "typical", but based on the photos, especially the bottom shot, I think this is how it left the factory.


Considering that this was Victor's least-expensive machine (?), they probably didn't lose sleep over a noticeable "match" in splicing the side on the back-side of the instrument.


Looks like a decent deal... just be aware that this is likely a single-spring machine.


Good luck !

That is an excellent price. This is a nice cute machine but bear in mind that the sound quality will be nothing special- the "horn" is just a few pieces of wood screwed to the motor board and the motor sits inside it.

I'd buy it! (I doubt that it's walnut; probably something like poplar, stained to look like walnut.)

The machine, as pictured is correct. The case is correct. It would be well-worth the price, especially considering that they would most assuredly take less for it if an offer was made. My opinion...would be worth 50 bucks to save it from an otherwise miserable destiny.

The decal is nice. My example didn't have it, but did have an aluminum data plate.

Only one thing to be cautious of if you aren't familiar with these motors. They use a spring coil instead of a ratchet on the crank shaft. Under no circumstances put any oil in that coil or it can slip.

Looks like a great deal to me.

Clay

Thanks for the feedback - I'm leaning toward sneaking this one in the house if it's available

Apparently, it's pine (http://www.victor-victrola.com/1-1.htm). I'm not knocking it---I'd still buy it, even at $60, unless it has major problems. Pending results of a clean-up and rejuvenation, I'd even consider (horrors!) refinishing it.

Good luck sneaking it home.

Possibly pine, but it could also be poplar, birch or any straight grained white wood. Mine had a dark brown nearly opaque finish definitely designed to hide the wood. I've seen examples which were stripped and stained mahogany - not pretty at all.