The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just bought this victrola and wonder about a few things. I haven't run across many of these in Europe and since I paid little for it, guess it was imported way back when.
First question is, when was it made?
Second, does everything visible look right? The red cloth on the horn looks nice but not original?
The soundbox, is it correct for this model?

This VV-130 looks like a very nice example!
According to the Victor Victrola webpage: http://victor-victrola.com/130.htm
your machine was made in 1922.
The reproducer is correct for this machine.
If there's red cloth over the horn opening it's been added, not original.
Bob

That's a beautiful machine. Congratuations!

According to the book Look for the Dog, the 130 was introduced in 1921 as a renamed VV-XVII. Initially it cost $350, quite a lot at that time, reduced to $275 in 1923. The gold Victrola No. 2 reproducer was standard, as was matching gold hardware. That grille with its red cloth is not original, or at least it does not match the illustration in the book, which shows the usual Victor unadorned slats behind the upper set of doors. I don't know if a machine exported to Spain would have been different, but I doubt it; more likely, some later owner added that in an effort to update the machine and "dress it up."

If the grill comes out easily please take it out. I'm curious about what is behind the grill. Hopefully it is the correct horn. It looks like a lovely machine.

Jerry B.

Thankyou for your answers!! I have not as yet picked up the machine so it will be interesting to see how it looks IRL.
I wonder if Victor exported these machines to Europe (in the past I've come across a Victor that was sold to me by the very elderly descendant of immigrants that came back), usually we see HMV models over here, I'm hoping it won't be in need of big parts from the US!
I'll post again in a few days when I pick it up. The thing with the grill is puzzling...

Don't worry about parts. Most of the parts on this Victor machine are interchangeable with HMV parts. In fact, HMV produced a model using an identical cabinet, but I can't remember the model #. My HMV book is packed away.

The first phonograph I ever bought, some 50 years ago, was a VV-XVII. I still have it and use it. They are very elegant machines. The curved sides are what make the difference. Yours looks to be in very fine condition. You will enjoy it.

Beautiful example (except for the wrong red cloth).

I picked up the Victor today, which was a bit of an ordeal, it seems to be mostly all there. It has a 4-spring motor that runs silently with the occasional little rumble, the tonearm is a little wobbly and I couldn't make out if it just needs a bit of adjusting with the nut on top or if it's missing some ballbearings (do these have ballbearings?). Other issues are: the screws that fasten the motorboard have gone missing, there is a knob to lift the board (should there be two?) but it has nothing to attach it from underneath.
Remnants of circular (felt?) pads are still visible on the rim, to soften the blow when you close the lid, Green?

There is a slight alligatoring on parts of the finish, but it should turn out well with some cleaning and some oil maybe.
It plays just great!

Then there is the question about the grill... I tried finding a way to get it out but cannot see how it could be done without dismantling the wooden part of the horn. It won't go sideways, not down not up. No screws. The silk is old and brittle, but not broken. There are no telltale signs of the horn having been removed or tampered with. Tried feeling for slats behind the silk, but they don't seem to be there. It looks factory-made to my eyes, but not very Victor-ian in design... what do you think?

I initially wondered why there would be a grill in your Victrola. I wondered if the grill was hiding some sort of flaw such as an incorrect horn. The second time I looked and read this thread I thought the grill looked rather nice. I even think the cloth compliments the mahogany finish. This is the third time I've brought up this thread. It looks like the grill has been in place for a long time. Perhaps the owner admired a friend's machine and it had a grill so a minor but attractive embellishment was added. That's a good looking machine. If it were mine and I was convinced the grill was part of the Victrola since nearly new, I wouldn't change a thing.

Jerry Blais