Your Favorite Victor

[Victrolacollector]

Which the single most favorite Victor in your collection? Why is it your favorite?

[Victrolacollector]

VV-IX (Mahogany; circa 1918)

It is my favorite because it is a tabletop and has the classic "Victrola" style.
All mainsprings were replaced, new governor springs, and rebuilt reproducers. I have 3 reproducers (Exhibition, Victrola #2 and Victrola #4) that I can interchange.

P.S. A special thanks to Harvey on the forum for coming through with a nice Victrola No. 4, I use it alot on my VV-IX for Orthophonic records.

[HisMastersVoice]

That's a hard question to answer, since they all have different virtues. I was tempted to choose my 8-35, since it's the best sounding. In the end, I think I will go with the Victor III. While common, it was my first outside horn machine, and is the one I play the most. Incidentally, it's the machine that gets the most attention from non-collector guests, even more so than the cylinder machines, or even the Pathéphone. I think it's really the horn that sets it apart, which is a beautiful Paris Green color (I've always wondered if this thing is loaded with Arsenic...), and was ordered new with the machine by the original owner (I am the second).

victor_iii.jpg (54.53 KiB) Viewed 2429 times

[Valecnik]

Hmmm, difficult decision I agree but I might have to say this Victor IV set up with the aftermarket Linenoid horn. It actually came originally with a mahogany spearpoint. I've kept the spearpoint and it will go back on the machine if I should decide to sell it.

[HisMastersVoice]

Bruce, that Linenoid horn of yours is one of my favorites. I often dream of it.

[vic-b]

I have a late Victor-B with the "fish mouth" or "dolphin" sides instead of the "fluer de lis." This makes it a bit rarer. I went to an auction that had publicized "phonograph and speakers." On one table were a few horns (speakers), an incomplete Busy Bee and the incomplete "fish mouth" B! The auction started at 9:00. The table with the Vic-B on it did not get auctioned until 3:30 that afternoon. You can imagine how that drove me crazy! They would not put anything up early! Everything was there accept the crank, horn and elbow! There was a long throat Victor Concert in the wooden travel arm! There were NO OTHER PHONOGRAPH COLLECTORS there that I recognized. I was a very new collector at the time. I knew the machine was special, but did not know how special!

Anyway, I don't much remember the drive home from the auction after I was lucky enough to get the machine. It has always been one of my prize pieces. And, yes, I was able to complete the machine!

Greetings,
Jeff
vic-b

[gramophone78]

There all my favorites. That's why I collect them... . I would say if there had to be one......my Vic.6 with #10 and all brass horn.

[phonojim]

My Vic V with spearpoint horn is my favorite. It looks great, sounds fabulous and is simply an all-round impressive machine. I also have a full set of reproducers: Exhibition, No. 2, No. 4 and an Improved Concert. I mostly use the round hole Exhibition which came with it but some records sound better with other reproducers.
Like HisMastersVoice I had a hard time deciding between the Vic V and my 8-30. The 8-30 is equally virtuous in its own way and I use it as much or more than the V but the V won, partially because it is visually more impressive and I've owned it for more than 40 years.

Jim

[Bruce_Van_Note]

I agree with a previous poster in that each of my phonographs have different attributes, but I would probably say that my VV 4-20, VV 350, and VE 8-35X are the ones I most turn to for general playing. They all have great sound, even though the VV 350 isn't an orthophonic. Sometimes it depends on the day and the mood.

[Valecnik]

Bruce, that Linenoid horn of yours is one of my favorites. I often dream of it.

I like it too but also have to say that pastel green horn on your III is perfect for it, really sets it apart.