The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Lots of people talk about pimping their ride, but how many people talk about pimping their phonograph?? In this instance, I have taken a rusty, unloved 1915 Victor V stored in a Kansas barn for at least 40 years, and put my spin on it (pun intended) to bring it to new life since most of the original hardware was too far gone to salvage. After playing it for nearly two hours straight today, I can say with 100% certainty that, with care and regular maintenance, this machine will easily provide musical entertainment and awesome looks at least for another 105 years. (Yes, this is the same mahoganized Victor V which generated lots of hubbub and controversy when I posted it about five months ago.)

Its new features now include a fully cleaned/re-lubed triple-spring motor, rebuilt black metal Victor #4 reproducer, new turntable felt, new ID tag brad nails, new silver HMV back bracket, and a Hawthorne & Sheble?/Douglas?/Tea Tray Company? 19 ½" morning glory horn. Enjoy!

(Also apologies for the weird camera angles that make the cabinet look like it's made of a block of chocolate, my smartphone is a jack of all trades but master of none when it comes to the camera!)

"Lots of people talk about pimping their ride, but how many people talk about pimping their phonograph??"

The problem with a TV series is exactly what you stated: LOTS OF PEOPLE talk about pimping their ride...
How many people talk about pimping their phonograph?? Answer: NOT MANY...

By the way, yours looks great...

And John, what's the story on that shell horn?

I'm afraid that some machines would wind up like the Diamond Disc machine so infamously "restored" by American Restorations.

Does anyone know if that ever made it to YouTube? There are times when I could use a good cry/laugh...

52089 wrote:I'm afraid that some machines would wind up like the Diamond Disc machine so infamously "restored" by American Restorations.

Does anyone know if that ever made it to YouTube? There are times when I could use a good cry/laugh...

In the UK we had the Edison Opera "restored" by "The Repair Shop" on BBC TV. The one that an otherwise excellent programme got spectacularly wrong.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39911&p=242377&hili ... ra#p242377

epigramophone wrote:

52089 wrote:I'm afraid that some machines would wind up like the Diamond Disc machine so infamously "restored" by American Restorations.

Does anyone know if that ever made it to YouTube? There are times when I could use a good cry/laugh...

In the UK we had the Edison Opera "restored" by "The Repair Shop" on BBC TV. The one that an otherwise excellent programme got spectacularly wrong.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39911&p=242377&hili ... ra#p242377

We just got season 3 on Netflix in the USA. I think this episode is in season 4, so we will be waiting a while before seeing it here.

52089 wrote:

epigramophone wrote:

52089 wrote:I'm afraid that some machines would wind up like the Diamond Disc machine so infamously "restored" by American Restorations.

Does anyone know if that ever made it to YouTube? There are times when I could use a good cry/laugh...

In the UK we had the Edison Opera "restored" by "The Repair Shop" on BBC TV. The one that an otherwise excellent programme got spectacularly wrong.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39911&p=242377&hili ... ra#p242377

We just got season 3 on Netflix in the USA. I think this episode is in season 4, so we will be waiting a while before seeing it here.

Have a glass of something strong to hand when you watch it.

epigramophone wrote:

52089 wrote:I'm afraid that some machines would wind up like the Diamond Disc machine so infamously "restored" by American Restorations.

Does anyone know if that ever made it to YouTube? There are times when I could use a good cry/laugh...

In the UK we had the Edison Opera "restored" by "The Repair Shop" on BBC TV. The one that an otherwise excellent programme got spectacularly wrong.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=39911&p=242377&hili ... ra#p242377

They are apparently smiling in anticipation of the mayhem about to take place by "the gramophone guru"...
Too bad it isn't available for viewing...

I love both the Victor IV and V. They are both creative and interesting. Thanks for posting them.

Jerry B.

I just discovered two segments of "The Repair Shop", where a doddering old fool and an idiot, team up to destroy an Opera's beautiful cygnet horn... Give an idiot a can of stripper and a sander and what do you get? Together they destroyed the value of the Opera which was cherished by the person who brought it in... This is both heartbreaking and disgusting... You can't make this stuff up...

Excerpts from "The Repair Shop" - Series 4 - Episode 21...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I55_KzTZvdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ih4dq0X6qQ