The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This Victrola is listed for sale locally. It is a little new for my tastes. I am more of an outside horn guy but it does look interesting.
Can someone please tell me what model it is? Any other information?

Thanks
Pete

Looks to me like an 8-4 (Orthophonic).

Best,
Fran

Definitely an 8-4 -- SEE: http://www.victor-victrola.com/8-4.htm

When introduced, it was next in line to the Credenza (8-30) in terms of sound quality and bass performance, and a well restored model can pump out startling fidelity, even when playing records from a later era:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbXSWRKFC9Q

I should ad that the camera's microphone doesn't do it justice, but there are not many videos of the 8-4 in action.

OrhtoFan

I don't think the reproducer is correct. It looks like it has screw holes in the back, which would be incorrect. It should have a Victor Orthophonic, like this one pictured. Also the back bracket is out. Otherwise looks like a nice machine.

Greg

I bought a legless, junker 8-4 once. It was too far gone (for me) to restore, but before parting it out, I used it a bit. Even with an unrestored Orthophonic reproducer, the sound was seriously good.

If it's at all reasonably priced, I'd say go for it.

Goodmorning fellow TMF members....The video that is posted with OrthoFan's response is my video
of my VV 8-4 which I purchased about six years ago and the reproducer is original to the machine.
It is a brass 7 teardrop and has never been rebuilt it's all original and in super great shape with outstanding
sound. The only thing that has been changed on my machine is the after market (1927) electric
motor that was installed by the original selling company because the lady who bought it did not like
cranking all the time. I located and exact oringinal from a parts 8-4 i bought just for the 4 spring
motor, otherwise it's all original. It is my go to machine for all my records and it has great sound.

Gene

I had one of those machines and I really liked it. I also really liked the space between the front legs to store records between. You can get a lot of records between those legs!

I’ve always wanted an 8-4 (or any type of floor model orthophonic, tbh) but I could never find one close enough to me. I remember seeing one on my local Craigslist about a year ago but in the photo it looked like somebody stuck a tonearm from a pre-1925 machine on it. Hopefully my luck will get better and one within a 20 mile radius of me will show up.

AmberolaAndy wrote:I’ve always wanted an 8-4 (or any type of floor model orthophonic, tbh) but I could never find one close enough to me. I remember seeing one on my local Craigslist about a year ago but in the photo it looked like somebody stuck a tonearm from a pre-1925 machine on it. Hopefully my luck will get better and one within a 20 mile radius of me will show up.

That being where?

drh wrote:

AmberolaAndy wrote:I’ve always wanted an 8-4 (or any type of floor model orthophonic, tbh) but I could never find one close enough to me. I remember seeing one on my local Craigslist about a year ago but in the photo it looked like somebody stuck a tonearm from a pre-1925 machine on it. Hopefully my luck will get better and one within a 20 mile radius of me will show up.

That being where?

The small town I live in near Omaha Nebraska. I’ve only been collecting machines for two years and I’ve been collecting the records for ten. I guess time and patience is a key in this hobby. I mean, If I can find a Philco Predicta TV, I definitely can find a floor model orthophonic! Lol. But it won’t be any time soon.