The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey guys, does anyone know what machine this is or have any info about it? Thanks in advance.

It's a VV-50 portable. Someone has moved the lid hinges from the back of the lid to the side however.

JerryVan wrote:It's a VV-50 portable. Someone has moved the lid hinges from the back of the lid to the side however.

Agreed. I did a video on these a while back:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCk-m86JmmQ[/youtube]

So it looks like the lid prop is missing, the crank holder and the data plate. Are those something that can be easily obtained? I should also ask if there is anything else missing I may not have noticed. From pictures online it looks as if sometimes there is a spindle holder on the lid as well. By that I mean some late models I've seen seem to be missing the spindle and needle holders. Is it a transitional thing?

There were two generations of this model. The earlier model had the winding key on the front. In 1923 it was moved to the side. There were other changes. The spindle was extended high to accommodate a stack of records, allowing the owner to store records during transportation: I think eight is the maximum. On the lid, there should be a clamp with an eye hole that lines up with the spindle. This was to press down on the stack of records to keep them in place during the jaunty ride to your picnic. There should also be three clips to hold the winding key (crank) and a double-door needle pot. One thing I notice is the colour of the crank, handle and nuts. In the picture, they appear to be gold. If so, someone has spray painted them. They should be nickel. As noted above, someone has hinged the lid on the side of the machine instead of the rear, behind the tonearm. Notice the ramping shape of the lid; how it curves. The lid of the vv-50 is an extension of the horn; the curvature projects the sound forward but it can do that only if it's mounted at the rear. However, with all the items missing and misplaced, this is a machine worth saving. For one thing, it's oak. Most of the vv-50s were mahogany and collectors look for the oak model. This machine should also have a nickel plated No. 2 reproducer.

Thanks and now for the million dollar question; a fair price?

In that condition... and assuming you can find the correct parts... less is better, so $100 or less in my opinion. A complete one in good condition can be found for under $300.

$150 would be my absolute limit and only because it's oak. If it weren't oak, I wouldn't touch it. BTW, it's also missing the lid latch.

That is a lot of hardware to locate. Is the hardware common enough to be able to pick up? Or would I be looking at an uphill climb to retore this example?

Curt A wrote: A complete one in good condition can be found for under $300.

Agreed,

I would walk away and start looking for a good one. Even if you find the parts you still have a damaged case where the new hinges were added. Also the veneer is coming off on the back of the lid and case.

Regards, Larry Crandell