The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have located a 8-35X in pretty good condition. I would say the condition is 'very good'. The top shows a few scratches and a corner ding. It works well.

They are asking a whopping $600 for it. I would like to make them a fair and reasonable offer but have no idea what that would be.

Can anyone suggest what a current value would be on this phonograph? I know that things are bringing very little at auction these days unless they are considered fairly rare.

Any help would be appreciated. For once I would like to approach this with my brain rather than my heart!

Without albums, perhaps $900-1000. With albums they have recently been fetching around $2000-2500.

Auction prices are not necessarily the be-all and end-all for console machines, for most buyers at phonograph auctions are interested in outside horn machines or music boxes.


If you can get the machine for $500 or even the asking price of $600 you will have done rather well, I think.

Uncle Vanya wrote:Without albums, perhaps $900-1000. With albums they have recently been fetching around $2000-2500.

Auction prices are not necessarily the be-all and end-all for console machines, for most buyers at phonograph auctions are interested in outside horn machines or music boxes.


If you can get the machine for $500 or even the asking price of $600 you will have done rather well, I think.

I would agree with Uncle Vanya. If the cabinet, veneer, grille cloth, and electrical mechanics are in good condition, and the phonograph plays and sounds great, then $500 to $600 would be a GREAT deal. Grab it while you can.

That looks like a very nice 8-35. I wish mine looked as good.
I don't know how familiar you are with Orthophonics in general, but I can assure you that the potmetal back bracket will likely need to be replaced if it has not already been done. Also the reproducer is very subject to swollen, cracked and distorted potmetal, so once again it may need to be replaced with a good one. The back brackets are available from Ron Sitko for around $70.00 and good reproducers are where you find them. This machine has one other quirk to look for: warping of the lid. Check the lid front to back to make sure it is straight and even with the top pieces on either side. Also be sure to check for the needle cup in the right hand drawer. This machine uses a shallow cup with a bronze top and replacements are not easy to find.
I have to agree with Uncle Vanya that the price is good but bargain them down if you can. If there are issues that will give you leverage.

Good luck
Jim

While I agrree 100% with the above comments, I can shed some light on the highest side of the price range. I know personally one of our members sold one for $3500 (or $3050, I forget) on ebay with all original albums about a year ago. When I congratulated him, I learned that he had heard of one that was sold for $4500 some time prior. Also around a year ago, I had offered another member $1500 for just the complete set of albums from the VE 8-35 they were selling for $2000 and I was turned down. I believe these albums are unique and were only available with the (VV or VE) 7-11, 8-35, 9-54, and 9-56. I'm not sure if they came in the RE-154 and RE-156. However, I did see a set in a 7-26 for sale recently with them.

$2000 for a set of ALBUMS?? A realistic price for a machine with its complete set of albums is around $800-$1500 depending on condition. For $600 I'd grab that and run. $4500 for an 8-35 is criminal.

Does anyone want to buy my 8-35 for $4500?

HisMastersVoice wrote:$2000 for a set of ALBUMS?? A realistic price for a machine with its complete set of albums is around $800-$1500 depending on condition. For $600 I'd grab that and run. $4500 for an 8-35 is criminal.

Does anyone want to buy my 8-35 for $4500?

Thank you, I can't agree more.

Correction on my above posting: I meant to indicate that someone had a machine with its albums for $2000 and I had offered $1500 for just the albums. Also please note that I was just passing on info from a well respected long time collector and restorer said about the highest ever paid. There will always will be the highest ever paid. Clearly that doesn't mean that is the norm, nor does it mean it can be achieved again. On this special day I would also like to say, I also don't think those that pay the highest (or even the lowest) should be ridiculed either, not even the messenger.

Merry Christmas to all our phono folks, no matter your knowledge level, access, reason, or urgency to buy or sell one.

Victrola-Monkey wrote:While I agrree 100% with the above comments, I can shed some light on the highest side of the price range. I know personally one of our members sold one for $3500 (or $3050, I forget) on ebay with all original albums about a year ago. When I congratulated him, I learned that he had heard of one that was sold for $4500 some time prior. Also around a year ago, I had offered another member $1500 for just the complete set of albums from the VE 8-35 they were selling for $2000 and I was turned down. I believe these albums are unique and were only available with the (VV or VE) 7-11, 8-35, 9-54, and 9-56. I'm not sure if they came in the RE-154 and RE-156. However, I did see a set in a 7-26 for sale recently with them.

It was $3050, exactly 1 year ago in December.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Victrola-VV-8-3 ... 7675.l2557

In a world where a Victor II with a Thorens Motor fetches more than a perfect original, nothing surprises me.

...and Merry Christmas to you as well.

Replica album covers are available. I made them and still have some left.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151492287829?ss ... 1555.l2649

I just paid $500 for my *second* 8-35X here in St. Louis, MO. I sold my first one two hours prior to purchasing my second. My first 8-35X had suffered water damage to the top and was re-veneered on the top. My new one is in great shape, but also missing its original albums. Fortunately… replica album covers are available.

Damon