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I'm trying to figure out what was the most common finish for Victor's Eight-Twelve. Do any of you know?

The Look For The Dog book says walnut.

The Victor-Victrola site says only in mahogany, with some special finishes available.

I have 4 that are walnut (Serial# 27XX - 18XXX) and only one in mahogany (Serial# 26XX).

Thank you for any input.

I have two, both left the factor as VE 8-12X. Both are Walnut.

One belonged to my great grandmother, who bought it new, and it is in very good unrestored condition. License label dates it to Sept. 1927, s/n in the 5,000s, metal finishes are "gunmetal" or oxidized bronze (very dark),except reproducer which is mirror-nickel, and has the two-hole crank escutcheon ( was refitted with four-spring motor by dealer, as GG-Mother did not have electricity in 1927.

The other, I am not sure on year, but has bright gold hardware, walnut finish.


A friend has two more, one a late model with three-hole crank escutcheon. I will verify wood species.


I am very sure that the majority I have seen in real life / internet are walnut.

Mine is walnut. VV8-12 1137 4 spring, all binders intact. Mostly Original, cleaned,rebuilt motor,busted spring,replaced busted up backing bracket, and had to find the correct reproducer. See picture below.

My suspicion is that the mahogany finish is the rarer finish and was only available early on with the first couple thousand units. Just as the gold finish versus antique bronze was only in the early machines. Though my mahogany has the bronze.

This VV or VE 8-12 mahogany early production versus walnut senerio seems very similar to the RE-45's senerio.

The VV 8-12 was my first phonograph purchase back in 1981. I wouldn't mind finding one again for the collection.

To my knowledge they were all made in walnut with the brown finish. if it was a special customer request the Model Number tag would say "SPECIAL". Can you post a picture of the "mahogany" finish Victor decal and area? Sometimes when they cut veneer walnut can have a "ribbon" figure like mahogany. Is it possible that someone has wipe it with a tinted dye. For example a customer what the machine from a dealer, but wants the color different. So the dealer will accommodate the customer. If it was a dealer job, the color would not be behind the decal. If it is behind the decal, then we have an outlier.

My VE 8-12 serial number 26XX is definitely mahagonay. The paper license is not complete but is the standard one. I will pull it out for photos soon. It appears I should have done a little searching on the subject. Uncle Vanya in the link below, states he has had 4 mahogany 8-12s and there are some good photos:

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... 42&start=0