The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

According to data on line, more VI's were made than IV's by about a hundred thousand machines. Yet my anecdotal experience has been that it seems I see at least 3 IV's for every one VI I see, whether I am looking on eBay, Craigslist, etc. Anyone have an explanation? Just curious.

Mike Rosen, Seattle

Well, a very great many Victrola VI machines were sold late in the game, in 1921-25. These machines more often than not were fitted into upright or console cabinets, giving a customer a genuine cabinet Victrola for less than $60.00. Most of the VI machines which were fitted into cabinets were made of mahogany and had their doors removed. The accessory cabinets were as a rule very cheaply made, and I suspect that most were thrown out with the machines inside of them.

I bought a mahogany Victrola VI inside one of those cheap, nasty upright cabinets back in the 1960s for $5. Fortunately, the Victrola still had its doors. I tossed the cabinet immediately since it was flimsy and falling apart. It was the Converto brand.

I think I remember seeing a Lundstrom Converto cabinet in a used furniture store years ago.edisonplayer

I love the Converto cabinet. Wish I had every variation!

I love the VV-IV and VV-VI. I have both of the very early models. They are nice but I think their motors are not as quiet and robust as the later machines. My VV-IV is more of a shelf sitter. I play my records on the VV-IX and Magnola.

In my limited experience, I find 2 or 3 VV-IV's for every VV-VI I come across, though both seem to be readily available.

Cliff

I love (and own) the early VV-IV with the cool metal grille instead of the wood louvers. My VV-IV is also a shelf sitter but plays nicely.

briankeith wrote:I love (and own) the early VV-IV with the cool metal grille instead of the wood louvers. My VV-IV is also a shelf sitter but plays nicely.

Those metal grille models are nice, they are harder to find. I am amazed at the beautiful tiger oak that my VV-IV has, the case is what is so nice.

What's really cool is getting all three - the early metal grille, the cheapo model with no grille at all, and the later louvered wood grille model - then lining them all up on a bookshelf like I have done! That's why my wife makes me sleep in the dogs house