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I was wondering if the horn from my Columbia BN would fit on a VV-VI (I have the serial number if that makes a difference)? Thanks in advance.

alienj wrote: Fri Dec 01, 2023 6:12 pm I was wondering if the horn from my Columbia BN would fit on a VV-VI (I have the serial number if that makes a difference)? Thanks in advance.

The short answer is, "no."

The long answer is, if you mean a "Victor VI," which was an open horn machine, no; Victor and Columbia had completely different horn designs. Also, you don't want to go mixing brands; collectors take a dim view of what are known as "frankenphones."

If you really mean a VV-VI, which is to say a Victrola VI, again no; that's an internal horn machine, and even if putting Columbia hardware on a Victor machine weren't a bad idea in the abstract, there's no way you could fit an open horn onto an enclosed horn Victrola.

I think, maybe, it's internal. The add said "missing horn" or "no horn". Something like that. I think I may have caught the bug. I can't stop looking for these machines! This one looks so much nicer than the Columbia I bought and this one is less money and there was a video of it playing and it sounded great. Here's the pictures of it. I'm guessing it's the second type you mentioned bcuz of the serial number. Think its worth two hundred and fifty?

I think $250 is a bit steep for this. Finish has been slobbered over with a coat of shellac(?)

alienj wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 6:22 pm I think, maybe, it's internal. The add said "missing horn" or "no horn". Something like that. I think I may have caught the bug. I can't stop looking for these machines! This one looks so much nicer than the Columbia I bought and this one is less money and there was a video of it playing and it sounded great. Here's the pictures of it. I'm guessing it's the second type you mentioned bcuz of the serial number. Think its worth two hundred and fifty?

The seller seems confused with the nomenclature of phonographs and is using "no horn" to imply an internal horn. The VV-VI is completely different from your Columbia BN in that it's cast iron and sits in the interior of the cabinet connected to the front with wooden slats to direct sound out past the doors. Notice how the back bracket curves downwards into the cabinet and does not support any sort of horn elbow. The VV-VI is (at least in the east coast) an extremely common machine and can be found dirt cheap in unrestored condition. I've had friends give them to me for free from garage sales and shed finds and I usually restore them and flip for about $125. I personally think $250 is way too high if it hasn't been properly restored. I say wait for a cheaper unit to pop up or buy a restored example from a collector.

I have purchased a few of these and really have a hard time selling them for $75 each after I fix them up.

-Travis

Thank you all for this information. I'm an extreme newbie, but I think I'll be around for awhile. Always interested in learning more!

Welcome to the hobby!

The Antique Phonograph Society has several free articles on its website. For newcomers, I especially recommend these:

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/19

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/78

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/collectiondetails/16

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

George P.

Thank you for the links. I've got a lot to learn!

You're very welcome.

You have no more to learn than the rest of us did at some point. And we're all still learning!

Have fun with it - -

George P.