The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post so I thought I would introduce myself. I've always liked the style and craftsmanship of old Victrola players. This past weekend, I finally bought one off Craigslist for what I think is a good deal ($150 including a bunch of records and old Victrola Albums). Everything on it works as it should, it just needs a little tidying up and some adjustments on the speed control. I suspect eventually the 3 spring motor will need to have a complete onceover.

Anyways, I know I will have a lot of questions as time goes on and I know I will be reading a lot of threads on this forum.

Thanks for looking and let me know what you think.

Welcome, and congratulations on your Victrola XVI! Yours is a Type F or G version (which were in production from mid-1913 through 1914). This style cabinet (which was also shared with the Type E) was not in production very long, and has a style of its own. The Lyon & Healy decal adds interest too.

If you want to learn a lot about your VV-XVI and the company that manufactured it, pick up a copy of Look For The Dog by Robert Baumbach, and The Victor Data Book by the same author.

Also, if you haven't already discovered it, the Antique Phonograph Society maintains a web site (currently undergoing major expansion). There are Introductory-Level articles about various talking machines and collecting them. You can find the APS web site here:

http://www.antiquephono.org/

Just click on the "Articles" tab to see the articles.

You'll find many helpful folks on this forum to help with any questions you may have.

George P.

phonogfp wrote:Welcome, and congratulations on your Victrola XVI! Yours is a Type F or G version (which were in production from mid-1913 through 1914). This style cabinet (which was also shared with the Type E) was not in production very long, and has a style of its own. The Lyon & Healy decal adds interest too.

If you want to learn a lot about your VV-XVI and the company that manufactured it, pick up a copy of Look For The Dog by Robert Baumbach, and The Victor Data Book by the same author.

Also, if you haven't already discovered it, the Antique Phonograph Society maintains a web site (currently undergoing major expansion). There are Introductory-Level articles about various talking machines and collecting them. You can find the APS web site here:

http://www.antiquephono.org/

Just click on the "Articles" tab to see the articles.

You'll find many helpful folks on this forum to help with any questions you may have.

George P.

Thanks for the additional information and it is definitely a G model. The individual I bought it off of has had it in his family since new when they bought it in Chicago so I guess you could say I am the second owner. Anyways, thanks again for the info and I'll be sure to check out those other sites and books.

Bryan

Congratulations on your purchase. The VV-XVI was the flagship of the Victrola lineup. There were more expensive models but the XVI had the best equipment such as the size of the horn, the most powerful motor, and real gold plated hardware. I'd suggest you use the search feature of the Forum for tips on basic motor maintenance and cabinet cleaning. Most importantly, enjoy your Victrola. Jerry Blais

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on a great Victrola model to own! I have a nice "E" VV-VXI that was the first Talking Machine that I ever purchased. They're very attractive, IMHO, and I haven't regretted buying mine for one single moment.

Best,
Fran

Nice find and at a great time of the year to acquire. Especially nice----around Christmas, to hear early acoustic Christmas songs during the holidays adds a new tradition, you will enjoy.

Ditto what the others have said about your "new" machine! It looks to be in great condition. With a rebuilt and adjusted sound box, it should sound great too.

From the link above, it would appear that the XVI went through more radical cabinet design changes than most, if not all other, Victor models.

It's a bit difficult for me to tell from the photos but, assuming that the casters are present under each leg, be cautioned that rolling these heavy objects across wood floors will surely gouge the floor, and make you most unhappy. I've placed teflon pads under each leg of my XI, allowing the machine to slide much more easily across the floor, without denting the wood.

Enjoy your new toy, and remember to change needles after every play!

Henry wrote:Ditto what the others have said about your "new" machine! It looks to be in great condition. With a rebuilt and adjusted sound box, it should sound great too.

From the link above, it would appear that the XVI went through more radical cabinet design changes than most, if not all other, Victor models.

It's a bit difficult for me to tell from the photos but, assuming that the casters are present under each leg, be cautioned that rolling these heavy objects across wood floors will surely gouge the floor, and make you most unhappy. I've placed teflon pads under each leg of my XI, allowing the machine to slide much more easily across the floor, without denting the wood.

Enjoy your new toy, and remember to change needles after every play!

It is funny you mentioned that because it came with 3 in tact castors and 1 broken one. I went ahead and removed all of them because even the 3 'good' ones were in bad shape. After removing them I went ahead and put felt pads on the bottom of the legs.

You also bring up a good point about needles. I know that they should be changed often, but exactly how often and where is a good reputable place to order replacements?

Snowball wrote:

Henry wrote:Ditto what the others have said about your "new" machine! It looks to be in great condition. With a rebuilt and adjusted sound box, it should sound great too.

From the link above, it would appear that the XVI went through more radical cabinet design changes than most, if not all other, Victor models.

It's a bit difficult for me to tell from the photos but, assuming that the casters are present under each leg, be cautioned that rolling these heavy objects across wood floors will surely gouge the floor, and make you most unhappy. I've placed teflon pads under each leg of my XI, allowing the machine to slide much more easily across the floor, without denting the wood.

Enjoy your new toy, and remember to change needles after every play!

It is funny you mentioned that because it came with 3 in tact castors and 1 broken one. I went ahead and removed all of them because even the 3 'good' ones were in bad shape. After removing them I went ahead and put felt pads on the bottom of the legs.

You also bring up a good point about needles. I know that they should be changed often, but exactly how often and where is a good reputable place to order replacements?

You can actually get Castors for these. I redid the castors on one of my machines. Check with Ron Sitko (search the forum here for his number), there is also George V. at Great Lakes Antique Phonographs in Michigan. They should be able to accomodate you with the castors.

Btw....a nice machine! I actually worked on one of these for a couple here in NW Indiana back in 2012, and they are really well built machines.