The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A local vendors has offered me this machine for USD 140. It’s very clean in appearance and works well. I am attaching a picture and video for your review. I have never seen a US made machine coming up for sale in Pakistan as most of the original gramophones marketed here were either British, Swiss or of colonial origins. Should I go for it? What do you think about it?
Regards
Sheraz

Here are some more pictures. I am a bit perplexed about the identity of the model as the lock on the front and the handle on the right side of the case is different from the VV-35 I see on the YouTube. In certain pictures on the internet there is a silver metal covering the sound box deposit cavity but I don’t see that metal in the machine on the offer.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sheraz

I don't have too much to add, except to say that the lid decal is a total fake

Not a VV-35. Here are the specs--

http://www.victor-victrola.com/35.htm

Don't know what it is but I suspect a Frankenphone.

It appears to have an HMV 102 motor and some internal fittings, ie. winding handle clips and Tungstyle needle clip. It looks like a Frankenphone to me.

Avoid at all costs.

Messers Steve, Orthofan, Jerry Van

Thank you very much for your skin deep insight and analysis. I tend to agree that this machine is another specimen of Frankenphone category. I always believed Frankenphones were in wood cabinets but this portable has changed my perception.

Thank you and best regards
Sheraz

NO RCA VICTOR WOULD HAVE ONLY A CUT OUT IN THE SIDE WHERE THE CRANK IS INSERTED TO THE MOTOR.

Yes, this aspect slipped out of my mind in my excitement to find a Victrola, a rarity, for sale in the Subcontinent.

In my view, someone has brought this Frankenphone from Europe, where copies of Victrola decals are available, long time back, (fading colours of the decal tells its age). The assembler might have been some enthusiast and not a regular seller as I do not see many Frankenphone portables out for sale. Had this been cobbled together in Pakistan or India, the assembler, would have loved to cloth it as a HMV portable , whose fake decals are easily accessible.

Steve wrote: Thu Apr 18, 2024 2:44 pm It appears to have an HMV 102 motor and some internal fittings, ie. winding handle clips and Tungstyle needle clip. It looks like a Frankenphone to me.

Avoid at all costs.

Yes, sure, I will not buy it. Even the brake is from HMV 102.

Regards
Sheraz

No.edisonplayer.