The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Can the ortho guys tell me what they think of this one please? I am
looking for an orthophonic and this one seems pretty reasonable assuming
the reproducer is original and working. Its pretty hard to tell from
the picture what soundbox is on there. The victrola website says these
all have 4 spring motors which is a plus. Thanks for any info.


http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/atq/1904467394.html

typically the 8-12's a great orthophonic phonograph with a nice sized horn and four spring motor. but this one has had it's legs chopped. unfortunately. if you don't have the baumbach book, look for the dog, you should pick it up. it's got photos and descriptions of all the machines... value questions aside, the book would have shown that this one should have had those legs, the absence of which, for most collectors, I would think renders this little more than a parts machine.

I would want to personally inspect it before deciding. If it is not too far from where you live, it is worth considering, but the above comments are good ones to think about.

It should have legs and the hideous red grillecloth must be at least removed to get proper sound. You could use it the way it is, but the price would have to be 'way below what they are asking to make it worthwhile. Check this listing to see what it should look like:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/atq/1897560173.html

Jim

Oh, and a 2 spring motor, too.

J

brianu wrote:typically the 8-12's a great orthophonic phonograph with a nice sized horn and four spring motor. but this one has had it's legs chopped. unfortunately. if you don't have the baumbach book, look for the dog, you should pick it up. it's got photos and descriptions of all the machines... value questions aside, the book would have shown that this one should have had those legs, the absence of which, for most collectors, I would think renders this little more than a parts machine.

I agree with Brian wholeheartedly. It never ceases to surprise me when I read of a new collector considering a purchase - in this case, over a couple hundred dollars - without having first educated themselves. Look for the Dog is an absolute MUST if you're planning to spend your money on antique Victor Talking Machines. Thirty bucks and some pleasurable reading will transform you into a knowledgeable buyer (of Victor products anyway!), prevent you from buying machines missing their legs, and allow you to act immediately when opportunities pop up - - without waiting for advice from geeks on the Internet!

There are equally valuable books on Columbia Cylinder Graphophones (Hazelcorn), Columbia Disc Phonographs (Baumbach), Edison Cylinder Phonographs (Frow), and Edison Disc Phonographs (Frow). No new collector should be without these books if they're planning to spend their (and not waste) money on these machines.

George P.

phonogfp wrote:

brianu wrote:typically the 8-12's a great orthophonic phonograph with a nice sized horn and four spring motor. but this one has had it's legs chopped. unfortunately. if you don't have the baumbach book, look for the dog, you should pick it up. it's got photos and descriptions of all the machines... value questions aside, the book would have shown that this one should have had those legs, the absence of which, for most collectors, I would think renders this little more than a parts machine.

I agree with Brian wholeheartedly. It never ceases to surprise me when I read of a new collector considering a purchase - in this case, over a couple hundred dollars - without having first educated themselves. Look for the Dog is an absolute MUST if you're planning to spend your money on antique Victor Talking Machines. Thirty bucks and some pleasurable reading will transform you into a knowledgeable buyer (of Victor products anyway!), prevent you from buying machines missing their legs, and allow you to act immediately when opportunities pop up - - without waiting for advice from geeks on the Internet!

There are equally valuable books on Columbia Cylinder Graphophones (Hazelcorn), Columbia Disc Phonographs (Baumbach), Edison Cylinder Phonographs (Frow), and Edison Disc Phonographs (Frow). No new collector should be without these books if they're planning to spend their (and not waste) money on these machines.

George P.

You have a good point George. I have been considering getting a couple good books for reference purposes and I think its high time I do so. Recently I was able to break even on a machine I paid too much for when I first started collecting. This was shear luck and demonstrates risks of being clueless.

I agree with all of the above. In the meantime, for a quick reference guide, you might want to bookmark the Victor products page, which includes most of the Victrola models:


http://www.victor-victrola.com/new_page_2.htm


Main Page:
http://www.victor-victrola.com

VV-8-12 -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/8-12.htm

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

Based on comments from Paul Edie, at the Victor Victrola site, and a few other collectors, the 8-12 has rather a "hollow" sound compared with the other Orthophonic models, but I've never heard a restored model in person, so I couldn't say for sure. I've also been told the bass response is comparable to that of the Credenza.

"You have a good point George. I have been considering getting a couple good books for reference purposes and I think its high time I do so. Recently I was able to break even on a machine I paid too much for when I first started collecting. This was shear luck and demonstrates risks of being clueless."


Good for you! There's absolutely no shame in being "clueless" (we all start that way), but it only makes sense to take steps to protect yourself - and that's best done through education. And as the bumper sticker says, "If You Think Education is Expensive, Try Ignorance!"

I tried it...didn't like it. I could have bought an Amberola 1A for $200. I could have bought an oak Herzog "full round" cylinder cabinet for $400. My own ignorance prevented it. Hopefully those things don't happen anymore!

Ortho_Fan wrote:I agree with all of the above. In the meantime, for a quick reference guide, you might want to bookmark the Victor products page, which includes most of the Victrola models:


http://www.victor-victrola.com/new_page_2.htm


Main Page:
http://www.victor-victrola.com

VV-8-12 -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/8-12.htm

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

Based on comments from Paul Edie, at the Victor Victrola site, and a few other collectors, the 8-12 has rather a "hollow" sound compared with the other Orthophonic models, but I've never heard a restored model in person, so I couldn't say for sure. I've also been told the bass response is comparable to that of the Credenza.

Thanks Orthofan, I found the 8-12 section on the VV website but for some reason I did not connect
the dots and notice the chopped off legs!

antique1973 wrote:I have been considering getting a couple good books for reference purposes and I think its high time I do so. Recently I was able to break even on a machine I paid too much for when I first started collecting. This was shear luck and demonstrates risks of being clueless.

Or if you prefer, you can remain clueless and provide dealers with a way to unload the junk that more knowledgeable collectors wisely avoid.

By the way, the 8-12 takes up almost as much floor space as a Credenza, but its performance, while acceptable, is not as fine as an Orthophonic equipped with a larger horn.