The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just purchased this phonograph and could use some help identifying it. I usually only deal with Victrolas so this Victor is new to me. Any idea what model? Are they rare? Does the horn and motor look original? Is this unit a reproduction or does it look like a Victor original mfr.? I suspect it is a copy. Either way it doesnt matter as i got it for a cheap price. Any info would be appreciated.

from what I see it's defiantly not a Victor....

blizz

I hope you can take it back. It is a total faker!


Carlton Smith
Indianapolis, IN

Sorry to say it, but that's just one of many Indian fakes that are out there. Nothing remotely Victor about it.

For starters, see here: http://vivatonal.tripod.com/crapophone.html

That said, at least one site I found indicates at least some of these things can work OK as players--just don't think of it as a "real" antique machine.

It looks like one of the wannabe HMV phonos that were built in India using a hodgepodge of old and repro parts in the 1970s and 1980s.

The problem with some of these early "replica" machines is that parts of them are taken from older phonos, usually low end portables, so they have some legitimate looking parts. Also, the first generation of these machines are around 40 years old now, so they are old enough to have started forming a patina of their own depending on storage and handling conditions.

I've seen many people, mostly antique dealers, try to pass these off as original machines. Some out of ignorance, some out of deceit.

Be careful playing records on a thing like this. The tonearm pivots aren't as smooth as an original Victor's and the reproducer (if it's the cheap HIS MASTER'S VOICE fake that looks like an old Thorens) is probably stuck with pressed-tin bridges instead of pivots for the needle bar, destroying lateral compliance and also all your records.

Yes, it was a fake--but if you want a real horn model Victor I'm sure you'll find one soon enough. But is that a Garrard No. 50 motor I spy in there? Those things run great!

drh wrote:For starters, see here: http://vivatonal.tripod.com/crapophone.html

That said, at least one site I found indicates at least some of these things can work OK as players--just don't think of it as a "real" antique machine.

I wouldn't play anything I cared about on one of these. The records will wear ten times as fast.

I set my ebay sniper late at night and forgot about this one. I should have looked into it closer. I have decided to try to cancel the order. It was listed as Victor.

I need to stick to Victrolas, my specialty, especially the 16s & 17s. I love working on those machines, as of now i have three 17s and four 16s, i had four 17s but just sold one Monday. I also have 4-5 assorted assorted 100s & XIs i was planning on restoring but don't want to put the time into at this point., I am not really into the external horn Victors and really don't know why i even bid on it. Better i leave the Victors to you collectors.