The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

First, hello all this is my first post here. I happened into a floor standing VV (my first and only) for which I cannot get the top lid unlocked. I think I have read every related post here. I have tried graphite lube (and another product) with lots of patience, twitching, jiggling, etc. No luck. The key turns a bit more than half way to the right (clockwise) and almost a quarter turn counterclockwise. Which direction turn should unlock it? I do feel slight little clicks of sort at the end of each turn and when pulling up on the lid I can feel a bit of pressure pulling it "closed".

What is the next step for my situation? Could the "wing" mechanism be broken in the open position(locked)?

Forgive a possibly dumb question, but: Do you know if that's the correct key? There was more than one pattern for Victrolas.

If you've checked other similar threads you've probably read:

Turning the key to the left (counter clock) locks the lid. Turning to the right unlocks the lid.

While turning the key gently to the right, have someone press down on the lid or gently lift the lid or do something to release the bind. If the piano hinge screws are tight, it may not seem to do a thing but you are just trying something to release the bind.

Try a different key. A different Victrola key would be best but many antique shops have miscellaneous keys. Buy something similar.

There are probably other phono nerds near you. Ask to borrow a different key.

If not, I'll mail you a couple. (Bad phono karma if not returned )

Jerry Blais

Edisone wrote:Forgive a possibly dumb question, but: Do you know if that's the correct key? There was more than one pattern for Victrolas.

The key in the picture is the correct key. Does the key work on the cabinet door lock? If so, then the key should work in the lid lock.

It should turn one complete revolution to the left to lock, one complete revolution to the right to unlock. It actually locks/unlocks at the ½ turn point, but you have to turn it the rest of the way to remove the key from the keyhole.

The key should stick about ½ inch into the keyhole.

The lock works by raising the "tongue" up into a slot in the lid where two small "ears" then extend out of the end of the tongue toward each side catching on the slotted plate in the lid.

Hope that helps.

Sometimes you may have to press down and push a little to the left or a little to the right while unlocking the key, I had to do this with my tabletop VV-XI

I just don't lock my lid anymore.

Victrolacollector wrote:Sometimes you may have to press down and push a little to the left or a little to the right while unlocking the key, I had to do this with my tabletop VV-XI

I just don't lock my lid anymore.

I had trouble locking the lid on my Edison A250 and I discovered that if I put pressure on the lid towards the back of the machine it would lock. I solved the problem by loosening the hinge screws with the lid up. The weight of the lid shifted the hinge just enough and now it works fine. Changes in humidity also has an effect so take it slow and try to figure out the best direction to apply pressure. I lock my lid without any issues.

When I first got my VV-XI, I found the end of a broken-off key in the key slot; it was not visible from the outside, so I had to remove the latch mechanism from the cabinet, at which point I could fish out the broken end. Could something like this be the problem? Of course, if you can't unlock and open the lid, then that suggestion is not going to work....

some lids bend slightly with time especially in rooms with modern heating this puts pressure on the mechanism in that case its either hard to turn the key or it won't go at all
a thing that works in a lot of times get someone to sit on the lid and try turning the key since you compress there's more space in that case the key will turn and the lock wil un-lock

tino

You might spray some penetrating oil into the keyhole before using your key. The lock on my Victrola XX was rusted and wouldn't turn, however it was unlocked so I took out the lock and cleaned out the rust.

I'm reminded of the advice an old nurseryman once gave me, when I came in asking for tips on how to revive a failing rhododendron. He said, "sounds like you need to shovel-prune it."

Perhaps this phono needs hammer-unlocking. Chisel-access? Crowbar-based de-latchification?