The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm planning to go look at a common VV-XI this week. The pictures I've been sent are in low light, but based on the attached, I'm intrigued. The grain inside the lid suggests walnut, which is unusual on an XI. There is some evidence of walnut grain on the body, but the overall color suggests mahogany.

Thoughts? Opinions?

I'd say Walnut- I've read that it was an option on the later examples. The color exterior color is probably due to age and dirt, and you'll probably find some of the pieces are poplar or some secondary wood stained.

Hard to tell from the photos, but my immediate impression on seeing the top (cabinet) photo was "mahogany." It's true that under the lid doesn't seem to match the exterior, but there are a number of variables that could be in play here, chiefly the light (angle, intensity). Plus, in addition to walnut, the XI was offered in "English Brown (Mahogany)," according to LFTD, p. 92 (see also p. 14), which the underlid photo suggests to me. It'll be interesting to hear what you think after you've seen this one in person. Be sure to let us know!

The under-lid photo shows a grain which is typical of walnut. The other photo is too oblique of an angle to tell what kind of wood it is. A straight on shot, using a flash or bright lighting, would help show what kind of wood it is. From what I'm seeing, I'm leaning toward walnut.

American Walnut.

Doug

I tried brightening the image slightly but I don't think it helped much.
I'm pretty certain it's American Walnut though.

Thanks for all the opinions. I agree this is likely (American) walnut. I am in contact with the seller and hope to be able to see it - and probably pick it up - in the next day or two.

The shot of the playing area looks like American Walnut to me... looks like a post-1917 machine, with the "Fat arm" and # 2 sound box.


Finish looks fairly decent, if a bit dirty...


Please keep us posted.

Made from the wood of the walnut tree.

The seller called me today to tell me that the family has decided to keep the machine.