The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

This might cause controversy and consternation, but I will ask anyway. I just bought a VV-IX that I was assuming that I would be able to play everything I needed. I found out the front won't exactly clear 14" records. If I stack up records to go above the edge, then it will interfere with the arm. I was contemplating how bad an idea it would be if I cut out a section in front of the cabinet just enough for the record to extend through. I would want to make it so I can remove it and set it back in place for normal records. If I get a lot of hate I will come up with some other alternative.

Purchase a machine that has the clearance to play 14 inch records. Altering the machine cabinet to play records of a size not usually found or used gave me a gut sick feeling. Maybe keep an eye out for good priced Victor 5 or Victrola that gives the space you need. Give it a month or so and see if you still think it’s a reasonable thing to do?

tim w wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2024 3:57 pm This might cause controversy and consternation, but I will ask anyway. I just bought a VV-IX that I was assuming that I would be able to play everything I needed. I found out the front won't exactly clear 14" records. If I stack up records to go above the edge, then it will interfere with the arm. I was contemplating how bad an idea it would be if I cut out a section in front of the cabinet just enough for the record to extend through. I would want to make it so I can remove it and set it back in place for normal records. If I get a lot of hate I will come up with some other alternative.

As a suggestion, look for a Pathé upright. Pathé sold 14" records, and its uprights, or at least many of them, were designed to play them. They have a universal reproducer setup that will let you play both Pathé vertical cut and standard lateral cut disks. (Of course, for the former, you'll need the sapphire ball stylus.) These machines are generally not much in demand, so if you can find one it shouldn't set you back much cash. The prices asked for Pathé upright machines on eBay are silly; watch your local CraigsList and such.

[Edit] I'm adding a couple of photos showing mine, which was my very first spring phonograph, with a 14" Pathé record. (Yes, some prior owner amputated some elements from the center of the grille.) The machine is a No. 100, which I think is basically the same thing as a Model X. Note the angle at which the reproducer's stylus linkage is set; it will respond to both vertical and lateral cut. You can also rotate the reproducer for more direct alignment. Moreover, the cabinet is proportioned to store 14" records.

One further thought: if you're talking about 14" Victors or Fonotipias or the like, those are uncommon/rare disks, and I'd think more than twice about inflicting steel needles on one. Pathé 14" discs aren't exactly commonplace, either, but they can be more safely played on an acoustic machine as long as you have the sapphire ball stylus.

OK, yes I agree. Even though I could probably get a thin cut and make it so I could slide in and out of place, the grain and finish is too nice to mar. I could go back to playing them on my VV-50. The only problem is I need to replace the mainspring and the usual suppliers haven't been responding to my query. I'm not sure where else to get a mainspring. I also have two sapphires for my Pathés.