The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Yesterday I purchased a spring driven golden oak XVI. I was expecting to purchase it for resale but when I saw it, I was amazed at the condition and I was immediately in love. It is the nicest original Victrola that I've ever seen and must be a 9.5 or better. In two years it will be one hundred years old! My basement is full. If one comes in, another must leave. I have enjoyed another oak XVI for many years. It is also golden oak and very nice, probably a 9 out of 10. Here's my problem. The Victrola that I've owned for years is a VE. Which should I keep, the electric Victrola or the spring driven one that's a click nicer? Thanks, Jerry Blais

Congrats on a great find! I would keep the spring driven XVI. Although I would imagine an electric XVI in oak is more scarce than the spring driven in oak. Wow...that is a dilemma! Now I don't know which I would keep. My vote is to keep both. There's always a way to make room for one more!

Jerry B. wrote:My basement is full. If one comes in, another must leave.

This is a good approach. Each talking machine needs some space around it to have a positive effect on the viewer.

I would keep the new one, especially if in better condition.

That all depends on the one I will pick to buy

I would sell The 9.5 to nipper and keep the VE

Aloha

Nipper

If I had that dilemma I would probably sell the VE if a buyer offered
the right price. Although its a rare model, some buyers may avoid
the VE for being too "modern" leading to problems with liquidity.
Then if you find yet another "gotta have it" floor model you could
have a problem! Just my position, ultimately you have to search
your soul for which machine best fits your needs.

SonnyPhono wrote:Congrats on a great find! I would keep the spring driven XVI. Although I would imagine an electric XVI in oak is more scarce than the spring driven in oak. Wow...that is a dilemma! Now I don't know which I would keep. My vote is to keep both. There's always a way to make room for one more!

If at all possible I'd follow Sonnyphono's vote, to keep them both.

If you have to sell one, the difference between a 9 and 9.5 is not much. I'd probably sell the Spring motor Victrola even though it's in slightly better condition.

The VEXVI has some really cool features, wiring diagrams in the back, battery compartment for ventilation, capability to wire for either 110 or 230V, light under the lid....

Tough choice though...

It's funny this has come up. For years I have held onto my mahogany VE XVI because of it's absolute "cool" factor. It works well, has a really nice original cabinet (probably a 9) and I just love it. Years later I got a wind up fumed oak XVI that's equally as nice. As I've been trying to thin out machines I keep coming back to these two and thinking I should sell one. It's a tough choice, I love both of them, right down to their original albums. I decided to keep both of them for now, but it's a dilemma I've been dealing with for a couple of years now! I guess I'm in the "keep both" camp, if you can.

Sean

Me- I'd keep the VE because I like to have variety in my collection. The electric motor is like an optional extra making it a more expensive machine to purchase originally, and making it a rarer machine.
And I have to admit too, sometimes it's nice to just flick a switch & not have to worry about winding a motor constantly for an hour or two, but still getting that acoustic reproduction of the records.

You- I have no idea how many machines you have, how many might have an electric motor, if you ever play your machines for an extended period, or how you feel about variety in your collection.
Some collectors are happy to have 20 machines all with an exhibition soundbox, a double spring motor, and the only variations are the cabinet style or timber, and perhaps slightly different sized straight internal horns.

Another vote to keep the electric one if you do not have room for both. I have a electric VE-111 and I just love it. It is really nice to play at night because of the light under the top. It makes if very easy to see what you are doing no matter what the rooms lighting is like. I also love how quiet the motor is and as has been stated before, it is a rarer model. Either way, I envy you for the choice you have to make!!!

I would probably keep the eleectric one because it is the most unusual. And sometimes I get tired of winding the machine every few records. A friend of mine has an electric 8-35 and it's just so neat to simply flip tha switch and play as many records as you want. Plus, that interior light is beyond cool.

Jim