The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Well, I bought an L-Door XVI today for $200. Its definitely seen better days but it came with some interesting accessories: the original box for the Exhibition reproducer, a very small rectangular shaped gold plated needle tin, and a nickel adapter for playing diamond disks with its original box.
The motor runs quite well with steady speed and no thumping noticed yet. It also has some kind of offbrander 1920's metal diaphragm reproducer on it. The exhibition repro is in need of restoration but otherwise complete with good gold plate. Original gold needle cup is there too, amazing! The biggest hurtles are the missing veneer near the left bottom side and the back two legs are missing/broke off.So I have some work ahead of me but I think the results will be well worth it.

Congratulations, very nice machine at a give away price! Yes, the results will be well worth it.

BTW. I havent seen many Victrola lids that do not show signs of someones potted-plant, or a hot iron.

Sidewinder wrote:Congratulations, very nice machine at a give away price! Yes, the results will be well worth it.

BTW. I havent seen many Victrola lids that do not show signs of someones potted-plant, or a hot iron.

Thanks, yeah it seems to be a common plant stand apparently. The damage
its pretty bad but I cleaned it up a bit with Kotton Klenser last night.
This one is super dirty, lots of suspended black grime.

Is that missing vaneer at the bottom of the cabinet? Will it be easy to cover up successfully? Looks like a nice machine.

Nice find. I have been looking for a 'L' door to add to my collection for years. I have only seen one in the area and it was gone before I could contact the owners. To get one for that price is great. You definitely have work ahead of you to put it back into the shape it deserves to be in, but it will be well worth the efforts.

Swing Band Heaven wrote:Is that missing vaneer at the bottom of the cabinet? Will it be easy to cover up successfully? Looks like a nice machine.

Thank-you. Yes, its missing veneer unfortunately. Due to my lack of skill with veneer I usually just glue down the loose parts then stain the light colored bare part to match as best as I can. Its a temporary fix that looks ok at a distance, but of course
is still noticeable with closer observation.

Boyle6 wrote:Nice find. I have been looking for a 'L' door to add to my collection for years. I have only seen one in the area and it was gone before I could contact the owners. To get one for that price is great. You definitely have work ahead of you to put it back into the shape it deserves to be in, but it will be well worth the efforts.

Thanks Boyle6! Yeah, its a challenge for sure. I was having second thoughts actually when I saw the cabinet damage but the fact that the motor is good and with the accessories it makes it worth the money regardless of the cabinet issues. I am still wondering about the little square needle tin. Do you know if this was a standard accessory with the XVI? The gold plate is a dead on match to the rest of the parts. It was fun when I found it because it popped out from under the turntable when I pulled
out the motor board.

That Tone-o-phone attachment is awesome. It even looks as though it would track fairly well.
I want one
Is the current soundbox part of this attachment, or just some stray off-brand? The instructions appear to have the Exhibition pictured.

antique1973 wrote:

Swing Band Heaven wrote:Is that missing vaneer at the bottom of the cabinet? Will it be easy to cover up successfully? Looks like a nice machine.

Thank-you. Yes, its missing veneer unfortunately. Due to my lack of skill with veneer I usually just glue down the loose parts then stain the light colored bare part to match as best as I can. Its a temporary fix that looks ok at a distance, but of course
is still noticeable with closer observation.

Veneer repair is actually quite easy and fun! I'll PM you in a day or two and tell you how to do it .

gramophoneshane wrote:That Tone-o-phone attachment is awesome. It even looks as though it would track fairly well.
I want one
Is the current soundbox part of this attachment, or just some stray off-brand? The instructions appear to have the Exhibition pictured.

That's a good question. The soundbox has the usual needle holder for steel needles
as far as I can tell. I have not checked to see if it mates with the attachment, its
quite possible. There is no brand name on the soundbox, it is similar in build to the one on my portable so I assumed it was just an oddball substitute someone slapped on
there. It sounds quite good, but of course it will be on the way out when I fix the Exhibition repro.