The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Next on my list is this beautiful XVI Victrola in Walnut. Has some sun damage and some aligatored clear coat issues but all will be well once its complete. Won this one on ebay for only $242, came with records (crate full in like new condition), needle tins, original victor oil and grease. Had to drive an hour to get it but well worth it. The lady had it on the porch and wouldnt come out, afraid i may have had the plague.

That is in fairly good shape. It should clean up well. Post some pics when done. I like the faces in the sides. Tom

I'm looking forward to a first class restoration!

Jerry B.

Yes, looking forward to the before-and-after comparisons.

Bill

John Sheff... We're eager again and impatient to see your marvelous work!

American walnut has to be my favorite of all the Victrola veneers. I'm sure it will be a knock out when you are finished.

Beautiful machine---congratulations! Interesting that it has the (apparently original) Exhibition sound box instead of the no. 2 on the "fat" tone arm. Notice also that there is a punch hole in the data plate after the serial number; possibly the "H" designation was removed at the factory? The 159xxx serial number would indicate a machine from 1918, according to the Victor Victrola Page http://www.victor-victrola.com/XVI.htm. You have what appears to be a variant of Iteration Seven. All in all, a machine with some interesting anomalies, as well as a beauty!

Jonsheff finds another beautiful top of the line machine! How many XVIs you got now?

Great find, Jon... Looking forward to its restoration...

Henry wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:54 pm Beautiful machine---congratulations! Interesting that it has the (apparently original) Exhibition sound box instead of the no. 2 on the "fat" tone arm. Notice also that there is a punch hole in the data plate after the serial number; possibly the "H" designation was removed at the factory? The 159xxx serial number would indicate a machine from 1918, according to the Victor Victrola Page http://www.victor-victrola.com/XVI.htm. You have what appears to be a variant of Iteration Seven. All in all, a machine with some interesting anomalies, as well as a beauty!

Henry, you have a keen eye. I did notice the outdated sound box, should have been a number 2. It looks like a fat tone arm, would a number 2 work on that arm? I bought it a couple months ago, this is the first i have had to inspect it. I actually have 3 XVII mahogany Victrolas i was going to do first but couldnt resist the Walnut 16, a diamond in the rough. I always photograph just prior to dis-assembly. I havent gotten to far into this one, got bogged down on a guitar restoration, needed a break from Victrolas and got bogged down on refinishing a Gibson SG faded special and converting to a Gibson SG Standard; adding mother of pearl inlay to the fret board and a rich gloss lacquer to the body and neck. The humidity here is wreaking havoc on my lacquer endevor.