The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

It has a radio so its probably not too valuable. Of course there are exceptions.
The cabinet is pretty nice though. anyone know the model? thanks.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/atq/1785950339.html

This is either an Electrola Radiola 9-16 or 9-17. The cabinets were the same for both models. I don't know much about the later phonographs so I can't add much as to the value. I know that I haven't seen many if at all any of these before. I'm sure someone else can give more details on value, rarity, etc.

Either way, the description says in great condition and will sacrifice for best offer. I would take a shot at it if I lived nearby. I think it has quite a presence.

Here are some more pics.

I believe it's the Victor 9-18, listed on p.195 of the current edition of Baumbach's "Look For the Dog". Either that or the 9-16, which used the same cabinet. I think the only difference between them was the more expensive Radiola 64 used in the 9-18. Both were supposed to have the multi-colored albums (same design as in the 8-35 and 7-11) in the album slats.

I like these late machines and think they are really attractive. I have a 7-26 that I had restored and it is great, but not as nice as this one. I'd be interested but a 20 hour drive is a little bit far.

This is the 9-18, with the Radiola 64.

This set has much more power, and far greater fidelity than the 7-26, as it was considerably more expensive.

In past times, the 9-18 was known to sell for around $1200-$1500. These days $750 would be about right.

Note that the power amplifier/ power supply of these machines was highly stressed, and oft times the
power transformer has "gone West". These parts are seldom, if ever available used, but are being reproduced
for around $250.00. The restoration of the 9-16 and 9-18 sets tends to be a bit ticklish, but their performance
and beauty fully justifies the effort and money spent reviving them.

If the motor board / tonearm hasn't been messed with it's probably a very late manufactured 9-18. It has the phono parts from the 1929-30 RE-45 / RE-75
model Electrolas. I had one with this setup a while ago, the ID plate just had the number "727" stamped on it. It also came from California.
Would like to see if this one says "9-18" or some other number stamped on it.

Chuck

I had one of these 9-18 sets about 25 years ago, the amp had been rebuilt sometime in the 1940s and the phono portion sounded really great. It was my "daily driver" for playing orthophonic records for a few years. There was a tube in the chassis that had a gas in the top that would glow a bluish color and would pulse along with the bass notes in a bouncy dance record. Mine had the earlier tonearm & horseshoe pick-up assembly, unlike this one shown here. The little button on the divider strip (behind the speaker door in the photo) is a small glass jewel that would light up when the set was switched "on". One day I switched it on to play a record and ----nothing. Dead. I didn't have the skills to trouble shoot this, and was advised by another collector that it was unrepairable and I should be rid of it. So---I sold it to a radio collector nearby. Always regretted it, too. A few years ago, there was an empty cabinet of a beautiful 9-18 for sale just a few blocks from here. I bought that to use it to house the stereo equipment. The cabinet is a real beauty and with the combination of various woods and the inlay sections, it's a real testament to the skills of the Victor cabinet shop.

Brad, I'd go for it if you had the money. A man on another forum I frequent spent $700 on one. I think that's about what they are worth in todays economy.

SignatureSeriesOwner wrote:Brad, I'd go for it if you had the money. A man on another forum I frequent spent $700 on one. I think that's about what they are worth in todays economy.

The guy said everything works except the "tip" of the tone arm, so I guess it needs a stylus. I am concerned about the costs of replacing a stylus on one of these. Also although the turntable may turn it may have an amp problem for the phonograph that would not be discovered until the stylus was replaced. I think the radio being functional is a big plus however. Hmm... lots to think about.