VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:13 pm
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VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
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I found this machine on Facebook Marketplace, (I should stay off of Facebook). Fortunately, the reproducer is not pot metal, but needs a rebuild. The machine is unmolested and has been in the same family since new.
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:30 pm
Congratulations! One of the best all round orthophonics.
The reproducer that shipped with it was indeed pot metal. Count the number of holes, which is the giveaway. If this is all-original and from the family that owned it since new, it would have a pot metal bodied reproducer, in that late-20s burnished looking finish rather than nickel or gold - matching the finish of the tonearm.
Sounds like your reproducer is free of cracks or crazing, and that has led you to conclude it isn’t pot metal. Actually this just indicates that it has not experienced many temperature extremes (repeated hot/cold cycles promote the materials changes that lead to cracking) and/or merely has the luck to come from a good batch of pot metal. This tracks with its well kept appearance, likely always residing in a temperature controlled home.
In any case, send it to Wyatt Markus (mica monster on this forum) for a rebuild so you can enjoy the full experience of that horn!
The reproducer that shipped with it was indeed pot metal. Count the number of holes, which is the giveaway. If this is all-original and from the family that owned it since new, it would have a pot metal bodied reproducer, in that late-20s burnished looking finish rather than nickel or gold - matching the finish of the tonearm.
Sounds like your reproducer is free of cracks or crazing, and that has led you to conclude it isn’t pot metal. Actually this just indicates that it has not experienced many temperature extremes (repeated hot/cold cycles promote the materials changes that lead to cracking) and/or merely has the luck to come from a good batch of pot metal. This tracks with its well kept appearance, likely always residing in a temperature controlled home.
In any case, send it to Wyatt Markus (mica monster on this forum) for a rebuild so you can enjoy the full experience of that horn!
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:54 pm
Beautiful!!!! Congrats!!! I had one years ago and it sounded great. Enjoy!!!
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:15 pm
Really nice! I recently found an 8-9 myself and like the tall narrow look and metal orthophonic horn.
Your pictures rotated below.
Thanks for posting!
Bob
Your pictures rotated below.
Thanks for posting!
Bob
- 59D5EBF5-6FF2-4955-BD89-07F0C629A273 (1).jpeg (106.66 KiB) Viewed 724 times
- B0ED51FA-D282-4EEE-97DD-27E932192BA1.jpeg (114.5 KiB) Viewed 724 times
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 6:36 pm
Wow, that looks really clean and well preserved! Congrats!
I concur with PeterF about the reproducer. I'm quite sure this model was never shipped with a brass reproducer. Spend the money to get your reproducer rebuilt, then play some decent early electrics on it and your jaw will hit the floor!
I concur with PeterF about the reproducer. I'm quite sure this model was never shipped with a brass reproducer. Spend the money to get your reproducer rebuilt, then play some decent early electrics on it and your jaw will hit the floor!
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:29 pm
My 8-9 is 100% original, and all of the metal parts are gold plated.PeterF wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 5:30 pm Congratulations! One of the best all round orthophonics.
The reproducer that shipped with it was indeed pot metal. Count the number of holes, which is the giveaway. If this is all-original and from the family that owned it since new, it would have a pot metal bodied reproducer, in that late-20s burnished looking finish rather than nickel or gold - matching the finish of the tonearm.
Sounds like your reproducer is free of cracks or crazing, and that has led you to conclude it isn’t pot metal. Actually this just indicates that it has not experienced many temperature extremes (repeated hot/cold cycles promote the materials changes that lead to cracking) and/or merely has the luck to come from a good batch of pot metal. This tracks with its well kept appearance, likely always residing in a temperature controlled home.
In any case, send it to Wyatt Markus (mica monster on this forum) for a rebuild so you can enjoy the full experience of that horn!
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:41 pm
This one has gold plated hardware as well.
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:28 pm
Interesting! Let’s get the serial numbers please?
We may be able to detect when the switch was made. I don’t have mine anymore and don’t know the s/n.
Baumbach’s Victor Data Book says there were a little over 9000 shipped (8143 spring plus 994 electric), with the serial #s starting at 501. They would likely have shared a s/n series across the two types of motor. Looks like they sold most in 1928, then closed out remaining stock in late 1930 after declining 1929 sales.
So let’s see whether hardware finishes track across early/late numbers. Estimated s/n at the end of 1928 would be around 6030 (5530 shipped through 4Q28, plus the 500 start point).
These were marketed as trendy and fashionable, with the colors supposedly holding extra appeal for “the American buyer of foreign extraction.”
Hard to say whether a trim change is a cost measure or further such marketing.
Also let us know if the needle cups and tungstone tin holders are in a matching gold finish or something else.
We may be able to detect when the switch was made. I don’t have mine anymore and don’t know the s/n.
Baumbach’s Victor Data Book says there were a little over 9000 shipped (8143 spring plus 994 electric), with the serial #s starting at 501. They would likely have shared a s/n series across the two types of motor. Looks like they sold most in 1928, then closed out remaining stock in late 1930 after declining 1929 sales.
So let’s see whether hardware finishes track across early/late numbers. Estimated s/n at the end of 1928 would be around 6030 (5530 shipped through 4Q28, plus the 500 start point).
These were marketed as trendy and fashionable, with the colors supposedly holding extra appeal for “the American buyer of foreign extraction.”
Hard to say whether a trim change is a cost measure or further such marketing.
Also let us know if the needle cups and tungstone tin holders are in a matching gold finish or something else.
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:54 pm
Here are pics of my very late example. Everything on it is golden.PeterF wrote: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:28 pm Interesting! Let’s get the serial numbers please?
We may be able to detect when the switch was made. I don’t have mine anymore and don’t know the s/n.
Baumbach’s Victor Data Book says there were a little over 9000 shipped (8143 spring plus 994 electric), with the serial #s starting at 501. They would likely have shared a s/n series across the two types of motor. Looks like they sold most in 1928, then closed out remaining stock in late 1930 after declining 1929 sales.
So let’s see whether hardware finishes track across early/late numbers. Estimated s/n at the end of 1928 would be around 6030 (5530 shipped through 4Q28, plus the 500 start point).
These were marketed as trendy and fashionable, with the colors supposedly holding extra appeal for “the American buyer of foreign extraction.”
Hard to say whether a trim change is a cost measure or further such marketing.
Also let us know if the needle cups and tungstone tin holders are in a matching gold finish or something else.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41675&hilit=orthophonic
Re: VV8-9 Found on Facebook Marketplace
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:57 pm
I thought all 8-9's have gold painted, not plated, hardware. I thought the gold plating baths were turned off by 1928. Mine is gold painted and original. The one on Facebook looked painted as well.