The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just wanted to share some pics of this VV1-70 that I picked up at an estate sale in Jackson, Ms. I really got a good deal on this one at $50.00.

This phonograph cleaned up great. All original except the grill cloth. Even has the original number 4 reproducer in good sounding shape.

Thanks for sharing the photos.

Congratulations! That one looks to be in really nice condition.
Andreas

Not to whine, but you are SO lucky. The last 1-70 I saw in my area was in a Juntique shop. The seller wanted $600 for it (it was labeled as a 1910 "Victorola" ) and wouldn't budge on the price. Unlike yours, the one I saw had a lid that looked like it has been gone over by the cat, along with a crumbling sound box.

Yours looks so nice that, at some point, you might consider replacing the shinny grille cloth with something a little closer to the original. I've spotted a few on this page -- http://www.richmonddesignsinc.com/grill ... oduct_page

Again, congratulations.

OF

Great bargain! These are not cheap and not super common. Is that Reproducer a Victrola "4" or "4A"? If it is a Victrola 4 then you have an even greater bargain, as the "4" is brass and the "4A" is pot metal. You can look at the back plate and it will say either "4" or "4A".

If your reproducer is not in bad shape or is a "4", you can rebuild it with new gaskets from Walt Sommers. His gaskets are on ebay and are a perfect fit for these reproducers.

These Victrola 1-70 machines do a pretty good job playing both acoustic and electric recordings, and the motors are nice quiet.

That's a very nice-looking machine. It looks to be an early one, with the jointed lid stay (rather than one-piece). If you haven't done yet, go to http://www.victor-victrola.com/1-70.htm for more information, and fill out the survey (link at bottom of that page). Enjoy many happy hours of listening!

Serial Number 34815, by any chance? Just curious as it looks very familiar.

You have a sweet little Victrola there. The I-70 is a nice size and as noted will play both acoustic and electric records well. My I-70 is a treasured one as it came out of the estate of a high school teacher I had in the 1970's. It was used as an AV aide in illustrating the 1920's. And it's my bedroom Victrola!

gramophone-georg wrote:Serial Number 34815, by any chance? Just curious as it looks very familiar.

No this one is an early one #7195.

An excellent buy. I paid $200 for one with a broken tonearm bracket this year. Fortunately a board member was able to supply a replacement.

Somewhere on my list of "things to do soon" is "Make a video comparing the 1-70 and 1-90". Not likely I'll get to it before New Year's, but you never know...