The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Wow! I just missed out by a matter of minutes on an amazing deal. I checked craigslist about 5 minutes ago and there was a Victrola VV-XVI that was just posted. It is located about 10 minutes from me. The bottom doors were missing and the cabinet needs work, but everything else looks to be there including a gold Exhibition reproducer and all the hardware. The person who has it is asking for a whole $15 for it! I called immediately and talked with him for a minute. He said I was a little bit too late as the person who bought it was pulling out of his driveway as we spoke. I asked him about it and he said it played great but needed doors so he didn't want to mess with it. Check out the pictures...I missed out on a nice XVI for the price of dinner for my wife and I!

(Thanks for letting me vent.)

http://columbus.craigslist.org/fuo/1480815499.html

I don't understand Craigslist. This forum is full of links to Craiglist 'deals', some good, some not, but at least stuff listed, appears to be in genuine listings. It appears that Craigslist everywhere else is full of scams.

As to that machine, I guess your venting over the gold parts? What would you do with that cabinet? You'd never get doors to match perfectly and the machine is not exactly exciting, is it? I know some woodworkers could work wonders on it but would it ultimately be worth their effort?

Don't feel bad.

I believe that's a VV-111. It's not an XVI, for certain. For $15 who wouldn't have grabbed it?

You win some, you lose some.

Sean

I guess I was more amazed than I was venting. It isn't too exciting, however, beats the VV-X that I paid 10 times that much for. I probably wouldn't finish the cabinet. I would put it aside for the time when I need a gold tonearm or gold Exhibition. Or, how many times have you found yourself needing a Victor screw? I am merely saying that for the price of a few value meals I could have had all of those parts for use down the road.

Yup, VV-111...

http://www.victor-victrola.com/111.htm

Hell, this is right around the corner from me! I saw it but play with Edisons (never had messed with a Victor...yet). My annoyance is I just received the Edisonic reproducer I won on ebay...and it needs a lot of work to clean up. At least the stylus on it is in excellent shape, but I'm looking into trying replate it.

Yes there are a lot of losers on Craigslist. But every now and then you get a good one. Here in the Detroit area I found a vic 2 complete and nice, with a black and brass 16 ½ horn working. The guy was only asking $50 I called and picked it up the next day. It belonged to his great grandmother and he didnt want it. Its a great orignal set.

Wow! That's a heck of a find. I love hearing those stories. Thanks for sharing!

Sonny, take a deep breath, take a few steps away from the computer. You cant have them all, I need some too you know Thats the way it go's once in a while. I missed out on a nice Sonora boxy type console last year. It looked to be in the same class as an Orthophonic. Only $40, buy the time I emailed, it was gone. There have been others as well that I missed out on, but you know what, there will be more that come available.

- Jim

I think Jim is right. If I got everything I saw on Craigslist, the house would be so packed I'd have to live in the garage. OK, it's close already, but not quite to that stage..

..and, missing out on some good ones makes it that much more fun when I'm the one who got there first and found a great "bargain" (that the owner thought was a piece of junk and thinks I'm crazy for even paying money for!)

Also, I don't mind driving some to catch a good deal, I have kids about 7 hrs away so if I can combine a trip to pick up an item (most recently an Edison DD A-150) with a chance to see them, it's all that much better.

Steve