The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm confused about turntable felt, and the different colors it came in originally. Can someone please tell me, for instance, what would have been the original color used on a Victor VI? A Columbia BI or BII? A Brunswick machine from the Ultona era or later? An early Victrola XVI? Did all Sonoras use that dark red felt? What machines would have originally the dark green pictured here, and which would have used the lighter green? The last picture is the turntable of my Victor V, and I believe that felt is original; am I right about that? And what shade would it have been originally?

Thanks for your help!

Your Victor V could well have its original felt. But that felt has been exposed to UV light and environmental conditions that have changed the color in the last one hundred years so it's difficult to speculate the color when new. If your machine was in my collection I would enjoy it just the way it is. If a turntable really needs new felt I go with a pleasant green.

Jerry B.

Thanks, Jerry. I don't intend to replace the felt -- I was just wondering about that one. And still wondering about the other machines I listed -- any idea what colors those would have had originally?

You're good with a green on the Columbia BI and BII, the Victor VI, and the Victrola XVI. I'm not as familiar with the Brunswick.

Jerry B.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is moss green wool felt for most turntables. It looks more authentic than the dark green or any of the synthetic felts...