The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've got her down to $220:

http://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/sop/4887812936.html

Good deal, or a waste for a common console?

Tod

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/atq/4892411345.html

Maybe this one is too far of a drive. But you can show her the ad anyway.

http://longisland.craigslist.org/atq/4881111111.html

This one was even better when it was new! And you get an extra reproducer.

I want to get one nice playing Victrola. If you could only get one, what model would you get?

Tod

If you HAD to get a console (I'm not terribly fond) the third one Earl posted
http://longisland.craigslist.org/atq/4881111111.html
Looks to be Walnut and probably the nicest out of the three (in my opinion).

The one you posted has either been refinished or the exterior has bleached from the environment
(most likely refinished). You can see the vibrant and dark red under the lid and in the speaker/
record storage. Compare that to the dull orange on the exterior.

It's very subjective, but that's the one I would take, if I couldn't get an upright.

If I wanted one early Victrola to play that didn't break the bank, it would be a XVI.

In my opinion there is very little collector interest in machines like the VV-220. If you're going to have one Victrola, make it a great one. For a great looking machine at a reasonable price, find a nice VV-XVII. If you can afford a little more, buy a VV-XVIII. If you like early Victrolas, buy a clean "L door" XVI or VTLA. They are even more unusual and more expensive in oak or walnut. Jerry Blais

Jerry:

You are right - so much nicer. I'm going to skip this one and hold out for something nicer - maybe I can find one at the Wayne show.

Tod

You should be able to find a pretty decent XVI for a couple of hundred. There was a nice one here in Minneapolis awhile back for $75. It was about a 1913 job with the nice carving on the legs. They are pretty common and are very nice machines. I have an oak one I bought last spring for $100. The guy refused to sell me the albums for some reason, but I think he thought the records were extremely valuable because some of them were single sided. The albums weren't in very good shape, so I didn't get too wrapped up over that. I'll have to take a picture of it sometime, but it's one of the earlier styles with nice carving on the legs and the large speed indicator. I think that came out about 1914. You'll certainly be able to find one out where you are. A lot of money was out east in those days.

Awesome - good advice, Thanks.

Tod

If you are looking for just one machine that plays all records well you could do worse than hold out for an Orthophonic Victrola. The medium-sized console versions of these machines are very reasonably priced, and they sound simply wonderful when properly set up.