Noob VV-IX Question - Ebay Advice

[Tinkerbell]

First of all, my apologies if this winds up as a double posting... I don't know if it accepted my first post.

I am looking at purchasing my first Victrola, and while I have been to the Victor-Victrola website to glean some general information on the different models and their relative values, I could use some practical purchase advice.

I am not looking to become a collector... I would just like a nice condition Victrola for my own personal use.

I am interested in the VV-IX in this particular Ebay listing, but I am not certain if I would be paying too much for the model at the buy it now price. I like the idea that it has been restored, and that he guarantees his work... as I am not familiar with repair/restoration work myself. (Although that being said, it doesn't look too difficult after Googling it.)

Does this seem like a reasonable price to you seasoned veterans?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... :MEBIDX:IT

There is another seller with the same model who is offering a buy it now for 165.00 less, but it has not been restored and does need the reproducer gasketing replaced (if I understand her terminology correct in her listing when she says: THE ONLY THING THAT WILL PROBABLY NEED TO BE DONE IS THERE IS A RUBBER ROUND PIECE ON THE BACK OF THE NEEDLE THAT SCREWS ON TO THE ROUND PART OF THE NEEDLE HOLDER... THAT RUBBER PIECE ON THE BACK IS WORN AND HAS SOME CRACKS IN IT, WHICH MAKES IT HAVE SOME PLAY IN IT BETWEEN THE RUBBER AND THE NEEDLE HOLDER).

Advice anyone?

Thank you!

[EdiBrunsVic]

Hi...My advice is to ask questions of the seller, get a machine with a good reproducer, and be choosy since it is a very common model. You are welcome to send me a "PM" with any other questions.

[brianu]

fine advice above... but I have to add, 415 (buy it now) is a bit steep for that model even if fully restored... but if you really like it, have the money, and the seller knows what he's doing (in terms of the restoration), then so be it.

[estott]

I'd say that in today's market $400+ is pretty high for a VV-IX, even with a rebuild. I do not know what is near you but for that kind of money it is often possible to get a larger machine AND pay for some rebuilding.

[gramophone78]

My two cents for what it's worth.......if you happen to live close to Boston or know someone that does.There was a very clean Victrola 17 on CL and they are only asking 500.00 OBO.I'm sure you could get it for less.It's all there (no record binders) and seems to be working good.IMHO

[Tinkerbell]

Thank you for everyone's responses. Sadly, I live nowhere near Boston... I am, in fact, in La Crosse, WI where the pickins are slim. Most of the Victrolas available around here via CL and such command a pretty steep price because of their relative scarcity. When they do come up, the estate sale pickers can be pretty ruthless at times.

Up until 11 years ago, I lived in the Los Angeles area where these things were plentiful, though that being said, I am guessing it would be more difficult to determine ones that haven't been cobbled together from multiple sources (or even models).

Thank you again for your advice everyone. Gives me something to think about...

[OrthoFan]

Don't know if this will help. I did an advanced search at CraigLook for

Victrola OR "antique phonograph" OR "talking machine"

within a 200 mile radius of La Crosse, WI

and here's what I came up with:


http://craiglook.com/la-crosse-wi/all.h ... e%22&m=200

Not sure what you're looking at for driving distances, but 100 miles in either direction seems about par for the course.


BTW, if you're mechanically inclined, and a do-it-yourselfer, and want to tackle a partial restoration job, one of the best investments you can make is to get a copy of "The Compleat Talking Machine," by Eric Reiss. It walks you through most basic, and some advanced, repairs. The book is for sale at a number of well stocked booksellers, including: http://www.amazon.com/Compleat-Talking- ... 1886606226


--------------------------------------------


(I spotted this nice 2-65 Orthophonic portable, if anyone's looking for one -- http://appleton.craigslist.org/atq/1820093331.html

Also, someone in the area might want to rescue this 8-35: http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/atq/1828820457.html )

[Tinkerbell]

Wow! Great info! I never even knew about the CraigLook website... guess I'll be bookmarking that.

I actually am fairly mechanically inclined, (even for a not-quite-spring chicken gal), so I don't necessarily shy away from doing things myself. I've hacked my GPS to make it perform more functions and run additional software, tackled rebuilding small engines, so I imagine I might be able to perform my own Victrola repairs with a little guidance.

Thanks for the tips!

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

I've hacked my GPS to make it perform more functions and run additional software, tackled rebuilding small engines, so I imagine I might be able to perform my own Victrola repairs with a little guidance.

Thanks for the tips!

WHOO!!!!!

Go tinkerbell!!

[Tinkerbell]

if you're mechanically inclined, and a do-it-yourselfer, and want to tackle a partial restoration job, one of the best investments you can make is to get a copy of "The Compleat Talking Machine," by Eric Reiss. It walks you through most basic, and some advanced, repairs. The book is for sale at a number of well stocked booksellers, including: http://www.amazon.com/Compleat-Talking- ... 1886606226

Bought the book last night and should have it by tomorrow... enough time for me to make a decision on whether to buy a restored or "project" Victrola before those auctions close. Thanks for the advice!