The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My next talking machine project is a 1916 Victor VV-VI I just acquired, serial #221633F. The case has been restored and new felt but the rest seems to be original. It is complete as far as I know and a good candidate for a little attention. I love the small size of this machine, it will fit nicely in my shop with little space requirements and plenty of playing as I work on this and that. I will be going through the whole machine to restore it and maybe some first time nickel plating as it is in need of it on the hardware. Believe it or not it sounds good even with the obvious reproducer seal deterioration. I cannot wait to hear it after the reproducer rebuild.

That exhibition gasket looks pretty crunchy! Not to mention the exhibition is a little more tricky to Re-gasket because you have to cut the white rubber a certain length to not let any air leaks come though. A VV-VI is an excellent starter Victrola! Good luck!

It looks like a nice example. Instead of plating, you might want to try cleaning and then polishing with Flitz or similar. It is amazing what you can do with a little elbow grease and the right polish. Just be patient and don’t polish any more than you have to.

Amberola Andy is correct. That Exhibition needs attention and it's a job you can do. Start with a good screwdriver of the correct size for the three screws on the back of the Exhibition. Once you get those screws out it's all downhill. You'll notice the ends of the old hard gaskets are 180 degrees apart. Install your news ones the same way. Enjoy your VV-VI. It's a fine machine.

Jerry B.

Very nice! I own the French Gramophone version, named in UK the style III. A nice and comfortable player!

Thanks guys,
Today I broke down the tone arm. I used MAAS polish on the nickel with very good results. I had enough seal material to work on the reproducer. Cleaned all the dust and grime and surface rush from the reproducer. The diaphragm looked pretty good with only 1 delamination spot on the outside edge. I will probably replace it as soon as I can order one. It looks better than the start and I am sure it will sound better. Taking the tone arm off the horn mount I am missing 1 of the 5 ball bearing in the race at the horn. How does 1 bearing just disappear? I will evaluate this later.

Mine has no ball race, but a semi conical finished surface that simply slides on its counterpart on the horn.

Thanks Inigo, this one does and a horn race formed into the end of the horn plus a track ring to keep the bearings spaced. Ii also has a track in the horn mount.

Inigo wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:52 pm Mine has no ball race, but a semi conical finished surface that simply slides on its counterpart on the horn.

I'm pretty sure that if the conical surface on yours looks like Herderz, then you need the ball bearings as well. Nothing should just "slide".

Herderz wrote: Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:41 pm Thanks guys,
Today I broke down the tone arm. I used MAAS polish on the nickel with very good results. I had enough seal material to work on the reproducer. Cleaned all the dust and grime and surface rush from the reproducer. The diaphragm looked pretty good with only 1 delamination spot on the outside edge. I will probably replace it as soon as I can order one. It looks better than the start and I am sure it will sound better. Taking the tone arm off the horn mount I am missing 1 of the 5 ball bearing in the race at the horn. How does 1 bearing just disappear? I will evaluate this later.20210127_130954.jpg 20210127_131024.jpg

The middle photo seems to show that the cross plate on the needle bar is bent. This would be the plate that rests on the fulcrums. They are often bent due to past "drops" of the reproducer onto the record/turntable/cabinet, etc.