New Phonograph Purchaser: Victrola vs. Brunswick

[orthofanatic]

Hello all,

For the past few years, I've been contemplating purchasing a vintage phonograph for myself. Recently after reading through different topics/articles on this forum and watching videos on YouTube, I've decided to take the plunge and look seriously for a phonograph.

The music I mainly listen to is mid to late 1920s and early 1930s, so I definitely want an orthophonic phonograph to play back the electrically recorded discs. After searching the local Craiglist ads, Facebook Marketplace, and eBay, I've found two that I'm considering. One is a Victor VV 4-40 and the other is a Brunswick Seville. Having read through the forum a little already, I would assume the Brunswick is the more seldom machine with the Victrola being slightly more common. Is there anything to specifically look for on each machine? I know theres more information on the VV 4-40 and that one thing to look for is the pot metal soundbox, but does anyone have any more information on what to look for on Brunswicks and more specifically about the Seville model? Appreciate any help/guidance, thanks!

[audiophile102]

Try using your preferred search engine with this: site:forum.talkingmachine.info Brunswick Seville
or, site:forum.talkingmachine.info victrola 4-40
Just copy and paste it into your browsers address bar. Lots of great information on both machines. Good luck and welcome to the hobby.

[Jwb88]

I've owned a 4-40 (a walnut one that looked gorgeous) and I currently own a Brunswick Seville. The 4-40 was very nice and surely sounded technically superior, but my opinion is the small horn, most of which is fairly "raw" wood, doesn't do much for volume/punch. The Seville packs a fantastic punch and presence.

There's the issue of size. The Seville is pretty small. A 4-40 takes up some horizontal space and is fairly low. It has nice record storage though, easily holds 4-6 album books. the Seville has space in the bottom for just a few, maybe two album books.

The Seville has a semi-automatic brake which is reliable and I like it a lot but You do have to adjust it from time to time as it will get itself slightly "off" as you play records with different end positions. The 4-40 has an automatic brake which only works with eccentric-groove records and usually has faint ticking noises while working unless you really work on it with some oil.

All in all they are both fantastic machines. On either, make sure the reproducers are solid and the diaphragms aren't torn/deformed. The Victor probably has the wider reproduction range, but the Seville plays acoustic records extremely well, on top of doing a very good job on electrics. I love my Seville, it's pristine, absolutely beautiful, and I even have a photo of the original owner. That being said, I may be selling it soon due to space concerns and the fact that I have a credenza now (in my opinion, better than either, although huge).

[bigshot]

I have a Brunswick Cortez. The advantage of the late period Brunnies is that they play acoustic records as well as they do electricals. You can't say that about Orthos. Acoustics tend to sound kind of distant and wimpy on those machines. I love my Cortez. Don't need anything else. (except for Edison and a suitcase portable).

[Phono-Phan]

I have a Brunswick Seville and it sounds great with lots of volume. Where are you located? I might make mine available.

[CharliePhono]

I really love my Seville. I agree with all the positive comments made thus far about them. They are very solid, well crafted machines with superlative motors. And yes, they do a fine job on acoustics; it's a good "all-purpose" machine to have, IMHO, particularly if one has limited floor space in their home, as I do. As for being "small," well, that's relative. I used to think so as well, but once you've hauled one around, you realize they really aren't all that small, and being built like the proverbial tank, they have some definite heft to them (think Brunswick Model T machine with the record storage compartments lopped off on either end). A Victrola 4-3 is a like toy built of matchsticks next to one. Even my 4-7 is gathering dust since I got the Seville. I think Brunswick ruled in quality in the smaller phonograph lineup of the day. Again, because of space, I cannot indulge a behemoth like a Credenza or Cortez (even if I could find the latter), but in my present abode have been restricted to small floor or table model machines. My Seville is my daily driver and I couldn't be happier with it.

P.S. The Seville holds two albums under the horn, so somewhat deficient in the storage department, but makes use of the space available, considering its smaller footprint. As well, all comments regarding sound reproduction on the Seville are assuming a properly rebuilt soundbox.

[bigshot]

I've been told that electric era Brunswick reproducers don't need rebuilding as much as Victor Ortho soundboxes do. I doubt that anything has been done to my Cortez since the day it was made, and everything works perfect. Solid machines.

[CharliePhono]

I've been told that electric era Brunswick reproducers don't need rebuilding as much as Victor Ortho soundboxes do. I doubt that anything has been done to my Cortez since the day it was made, and everything works perfect. Solid machines.

I've heard that as well. However, the one on my Seville was crumbling to bits and needed several donor parts, in addition to the usual gasketing, to make it 100%. It plays like a dream now. I share your fondness for the exponential horn Brunnies!

[orthofanatic]

Thank you all for the tips! So it looks like based on the majority of responses the Seville is the machine to go for, but you cant really go wrong with either. I'm planning on going to see them both this weekend, just waiting for confirmation from the sellers that they are available to view. Both come with records and needles already, and both are priced currently at $300. Is that a reasonable estimate for both of these machines? Both listings have either lower quality/limited amounts of pictures so I cant really tell the condition of either yet. I will also make sure to look at the reproducers to check the condition. Eventually I would like to obtain one of the big boys (Credenza, Cortez, Viva-Tonal 800) but right now my space is limited so a smaller model is what I'll have to settle for.

@Phono-Phan - I live in eastern PA so not sure if that's close to you, but based off your location listed I don't think it is

[CharliePhono]

. . . both are priced currently at $300. Is that a reasonable estimate for both of these machines?

My feeling is that unless the Seville is absolutely immaculate with zero issues, $300 is on the very high side for this machine. Then too, I got mine for $75 at a Salvation Army store! Others will weigh in, but personally I'd be hard-pressed to go more than $150 for a Seville unless it came with a boatload of King Oliver records <g>.

Good luck & let us know what you decide.

Best,
CharlieP