just got my first machine... help!

[victor novice]

Hello,

I just bought my very fist victor victrola, and I was hoping someone could give me more info. The tag at the store said it was a 1914-1915 victor x, but the metal tag in the machine says vv x (it's a little rusty so it might say vvi x). There's a separate metal tag that says the cable piano company. There is no lock on the cabinet. There is a speed gage in the right lower corner of the turntable. I've included some photos. Can you tell what year/model it is?

Also, I played some records that came with it. The needle package says not to reuse the needles. Are there reproduction needles I should buy? There was a lot of background static when I played it. What causes that (machine, records, old needles)? Can I do something to minimize/fix that?

Thank you!

[OrthoFan]

From the photos, though dark, it does look like the upright cabinet version of the VV-X (that's Victor Victrola model Ten). Look carefully at the number to the right of this. That's the machine's serial number. You can use the index on this page to find out when your Victrola was manufactured -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/X.htm

There's tons of information about Victrolas on that site -- about the various models, needles, repair, maintenance -- so it's a good idea to start with the first page, and work your way through -- http://www.victor-victrola.com/

While manufactured by the Victor Talking Machine Company of Camden, NJ, your Victrola was probably sold by the Cable Piano Co. (Oftentimes, the sellers put their shop labels on the machines.)

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You DO hear a lot of surface noise from the old 78s, but part of it may be due to the fact that the sound box (reproducer) is probably in need of an overhaul with fresh gaskets.

As for needles, they are still being manufactured, and there are a number of suppliers. Prices vary, depending on who you buy them from, and how many you buy. Since you should only use a steel needle to play one side of one record--two sides at the most providing you don't remove the needle--most collectors buy several packages at one pop. A number of sellers specializing in antique phonograph parts and repair can be found here -- http://www.proaxis.com/~settlet/record/links.html -- scroll down to the "Accessories/Restoration" section.

HTH,
OF

[alang]

Welcome to the forum. I you browse through this forum you will get lots of questions answered, even questions you didn't know you had.
To get more info about your machine go to http://www.victor-victrola.com/. It will tell you lots about the different models and also when your specific machine was produced. You will need the serial number and model number from the metal tag. I assume it says VV-X. The VV stands for Victor Victrola, which was the name for internal horn machines from the Victor company. Model VV-X (roman for 10) was a popular upright model.
You should definitely use every needle only once or twice, otherwise the tone quality will suffer and the records may be damaged. In general, nearly hundred year old records will have some background static, some more, some less. Changing needles and records would be my first action to see if the static noise is still bad. Replacing old hardened rubber gaskets in the reproducer (needle head) is also something that should be done soon. It will improve the sound quality and reduce wear on the records. Instructions on how to do that can be found on this forum, as well as contacts for experts who can do this for you.
Again, welcome to the forum and enjoy your Victrola.
Andreas

[Brad]

Welcome to the board VN, You will soon learn that you have been bitten.

You can find a lot of detailed information about your machine at the victor-victrola website http://www.victor-victrola.com. You will be able to identify and date your machine by it's model number and serial number.

Yes, needles should only be used for 1, maybe 2 plays. New needles are available from several sources. I buy mine from Wyatts Musical American http://www.wyattsmusical.com. They are also available from APSCO http://www.antiquephono.com as well as others. Playing a record with a worn needle will wear out the record. If you are not sure if a needle is new, best to not use it.

Noise and static are common to this technology. Improvements can be had via new needles, an unworn record, and possible rebuilding the reproducer if it needs it.

These machines are fairly easy to work on and there are several resources. If you intend to work on your machine(s ), a good reference book to obtain is titled "The Compleat Talking Machine".

Poke around the board, ask questions, and jump into the conversations. We have a lot of fun here.

[phonophan79]

Nobody has mentioned the most basic rule for reducing surface noise... close the lid when you're playing records!

[Covah]

Lots of old records are worn out and noisy, even if they do not look worn out. You should assume an old 78 will have a lot of wear. If I am lucky enough to find a low-time record I do not play it on an old phonograph. A "new" phonograph can be cheaply acquired which will not wear records and will sound better, too.

[recordo]

A "new" phonograph can be cheaply acquired which will not wear records and will sound better, too.

Tell of me these 'new' phonographs. Are they made in India? I think they wear the records less! LOLOL
Sorry couldn't resist - my love of the hideousness of crapophones grows by the day!

http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=4968

[Jerry B.]

Welcome to the hobby. You will find plenty of help on the forum. Several posts have mentioned rebuilding the reproducer. Don't be intimidated. It's an easy process. Probably all you need are new gaskets. The gaskets are the tubing material on both sides of the diaphragm (the clear piece about silver dollar size and round). If you send a self addressed stamped envelop, I'll stick some in the mail for you as a welcoming gift to the hobby. I'll make a few suggestions to make the process easy. I rebuilt an Exhibition reproducer a couple of nights ago and it took me about ten minutes to replace the gaskets.

Jerry Blais
3121 Fir Oaks Place SW
Albany, Oregon 97321

[Jerry B.]

I took a second look at your photos. You have an fairly early Victrola X. The one prior to yours is an open sided X with a shelf. (Essentially a table model machine with long spindly legs and a shelf) Next came a machine like yours with record storage behind the lower doors. Your machine originally came with an Exhibition reproducer (the part that holds the needle). Some time in its past the original reproducer was replaced with a Victrola 2 reproducer. That's not a bad thing. The Victrola 2 reproducer was considered a better reproducer and the original owner may have upgraded his machine.
The reproducer probably had hard gaskets and it also may have a broken tension springs. Take a close look at the reproducer. The needle goes into the needle bar. The needle bar is attached to the rest of the reproducer in the center of the diaphragm and at the two tension springs. In my experience the Victrola 2 is prone to breakage at the tension springs. They are cheap and easy to replace when you rebuild the reproducer. Jerry Blais

[Henry]

Your machine originally came with an Exhibition reproducer (the part that holds the needle). Some time in its past the original reproducer was replaced with a Victrola 2 reproducer. That's not a bad thing. The Victrola 2 reproducer was considered a better reproducer....
Jerry Blais

Not necessarily. This article by Paul Edie should be required reading for those of us who make such claims. http://www.victor-victrola.com/Soundbox%20Article.htm

I would further point out that the no. 2 was introduced in conjunction with the introduction of the so-called "fat tone arm," and it may indeed sound better on a machine so equipped, but on a VV-X like the one shown I would like to hear a direct A-B comparison before I came to a conclusion.