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Picked up a nice oak cabinet for a VV-XIa for a price I couldn't refuse last night. It's the cabinet only as the horn, motorboard and tonearm/back bracket were removed at some point. Because it's such a decent cabinet and will clean up nicely, I thought for now I would use it simply as a record cabinet. I'm thinking I might eventually start looking for parts to put it back to a working machine as reasonably priced ones pop up, or another machine with a trashed cabinet is available. Because I've never seen an oak machine before, as far as the horn louvers and motorboard - were those quarter sawn oak as well? If so, are they harder to come by?

And most importantly for those who may have been through this, am I nuts in thinking I can do this without ultimately spending more than an intact machine is worth?

I too came onto a XI cabinet stripped of parts and found all I needed on ebay for about 79.00, less soundbox (I already had a spare) and it now is a fine member of my household. Be patient and the parts will turn up. Some wonderful people on this forum offered me parts but, quite frankly, ebay was cheaper.
Johm

If you are patient, you will find what you need, at a reasonable price.

About 10-12 years ago, I found a very dirty, but very intact XI in golden oak at a local antique shop, and after a thorough cleaning on the front porch, and mending of a broken main-spring, it looks lovely, and plays great. It is one of my favorite machines, in spite of being one of the least-rare, and often disdained machines.

Victor definitely offered the XI in red mahogany, and several varieties of oak...

If you post a serial number, we might be able to help narrow-down more exactly which hardware this machine should have ( taper-tube & reproducer, speed-control, brake, motor...)


For a long time, I have toyed with the idea of finding a nice, previously-gutted cabinet, and using it to house my modern ( well, 1960's) stereo hi-fi...

As far as the "wisdom" of your project goes, would you intend for this machine to be a keeper ? If so, then go for it !

If it's something you think is likely to be sold or traded when completed, then you will want to keep you investment as low as possible when acquiring parts...

Would love to see some pictures...

The XI was a very popular model and sold for many years. Consequently, it went through several variations with different motors, tone arms, etc. Just make sure you are buying the correct motor for your machine. We all hate to see a machine with an extra crank hole. It really should not be too difficult to complete. Jerry

The good thing about this machine is that it is fairly easy to find replacement parts and you can restore it at your own pace from the ground up. If this was an unusual or rare cabinet with no parts, then you would have an issue, like the Columbia gothic cabinet on eBay without the guts...

I'll get the serial number posted here from home later tonight or tomorrow. I do have a VV-XI in mahogany that was my first machine purchase but wouldn't mind an oak version if it doesn't break the bank putting it back together. I've seen a few horns and motorboards on eBay after taking a quick look, but most look to be mahogany and as has been mentioned, I'd hate buying the incorrect parts and not fitting in the factory openings. I'm sure patience will pay off. Thanks!

EDIT: Serial number is 416170, just called home

According to Baumbach's "Victor Data Book," p. 129, your XI-A, serial 416170, dates from the latter part of 1917 (my guess, based on the serial #), and had the large diameter ("fat") tone arm. It probably came with the Exhibition sound box, upgraded to the #2 in 1919. It had the venerable automatic brake #2809, and speed indicator #5350 (pictured in the Data Book at the bottom of p. 28). I'd look for parts on the auction site, and also query George Vollema. Good luck, and let us know how you fare.

I think your best bet is to get measurements from the crank hole to the top and front of the cabinet. Next, find an XI with the same measurements and check the motor. That's the motor and board you are looking for your restoration. Jerry

In that connection, see the current thread "Victor Motor", http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... =2&t=18876.

Not sure if that's what you need? The seller states he also has the model metal tag, so you could ask him for the model and serial number. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Victor- ... 6016.l4276

Good luck
Andreas