The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello all,
I spied this machine online, but can’t tell if the finish is original or not. If I had to guess, I would say that it is not.
What do you all think?

It's a shame they stripped it off.

Look here for more information...
http://www.victor-victrola.com/oak.htm

James.

Roaring20s wrote:It's a shame they stripped it off.

Look here for more information...
http://www.victor-victrola.com/oak.htm

James.

I thought so. It is too bad! It would have been a cool machine to have around. That decal on the lid looks great against the original finish.

Thank you for your help, James!

Looks like the refinisher tried to sand off the inside doors too. that super dark finish is call Flemish Oak, I think. Very rare.

marcapra wrote:Looks like the refinisher tried to sand off the inside doors too. that super dark finish is call Flemish Oak, I think. Very rare.

Is it at all possible to stain the wood to be close to the original? Also, what is this machine worth the way it is? The seller is asking for $175. It’s a 1913 VV-XI.

After looking at sources like the one linked above, I think my machine is Flemish Oak that has faded a little over time, or possible worse, overly cleaned. The inside surfaces look quite dark, despite what the pics may show.

The OP above's machine looks to have been cleaned/"restored" a great deal on the outside, but started out as Flemish oak. I wonder if my machine has had a similar history of aggressive restoration or just overly zealous cleaning (or fading over time due to sun exposure).

Any opinions of the type of finish are appreciated!

Matt

I had a machine that appeared on the outside to be weathered oak, but once you lifted the lid it was clearly the common golden oak. In this case, the weathered appearance was actually caused by weather - years of barn storage, exposure to sunlight on someone's porch, etc. I sold the machine locally but you can see it here:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=36334&hilit=for+sale

mattrx wrote:After looking at sources like the one linked above, I think my machine is Flemish Oak that has faded a little over time, or possible worse, overly cleaned. The inside surfaces look quite dark, despite what the pics may show.

The OP above's machine looks to have been cleaned/"restored" a great deal on the outside, but started out as Flemish oak. I wonder if my machine has had a similar history of aggressive restoration or just overly zealous cleaning (or fading over time due to sun exposure).

Any opinions of the type of finish are appreciated!

Matt

I think it is fumed oak that has faded some, or maybe it's been cleaned a little too much. However, it's also GORGEOUS!