The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was out spelunking yesterday, and found a grubby, but fairly sound Victrola IV at an antique shop.

I asked the clerk if there was "any room on the price", and she made me an offer I couldn't walk away from.


I need to do some thorough cleaning and inspection. Rubber back-flange from the Exhibition is completely disintegrated.


Initial question - did the IV ever get the "fat arm" and Victrola # 2 Soundbox ?


( This one has a "skinny arm" and Exhibition soundbox, tab-brake, round-rod crank, and oval-escutcheon speed control at back-left corner of deck. )

Thanks...

The Victor Data Book lists only the Exhibition reproducer, and doesn't mention any change to the tone arm taper.
Bob

I think Victor stayed with the Exhibition longer on the budget models. Jerry Blais

Sounds reasonable.

Thank you.

Did all Exhibitions have a serial # ?

This one is a nickel job, s/n 759484

I have an early nickel round hole reproducer, probably off a Victor at some point, and it has no serial. Perhaps ones sold as upgrades weren't stamped, and ones provided with machines were?

Small update - had brief visit with the machine today... serial 298834 E - early 1917, according to Victor Victrola site.

Will get some photos eventually...

With or without horn slats? I have several different versions of the VV-IV. The one without any slats is a strange bird. The one with the metal slats is even stranger.

Mine is with the wooden slats, according to what I read at Victor-Victrola Page, the slats were deleted sometime during 1917, then brought back sometime in 1918.