A Vic III New To Me
Posted: Fri Jul 19, 2024 9:40 pm
Well, I can't believe the day has finally come, I've only been looking for more than 30 years, I finally have a Vic III sitting in my dining room. I probably paid WAY too much for it as it's missing a couple of little pieces but here it is. Time to scour YouTube and watch nothing but videos of Vic IIIs now so I can get acquainted with it. I've done so much work on Victrolas for myself and other people, it's cool to finally have my hands on an external horn machine. From the data plate I'm thinking this is a 1906 model? Type Vic III Serial no. 12,979
This did come with a matching cabinet that I thought was pretty neat. They really can't be separated because otherwise there's a huge Vic shaped light patch on the top of the cabinet! I've also never seen a reproducer like that before but without the needle bar it's pretty useless. Luckily I have an extra rebuilt exhibition lying around that I can use instead. If anyone knows how to source parts for this Improved Concert reproducer I'd love for someone to point the way!
The main thing missing is the dowel that holds the tonearm in place. Apparently this has been played with and messed around with in the Inn where this sat for many years. I'm just happy it had as many of the parts as it had. If anyone knows where I can source that little pin that would be lovely as well. Otherwise I might have to make something.
The cabinet was pretty full of 1930s and 40s Columbia red labels and Decca records in various states. Those are already in a box to bring to GoodWill. Did save a few Victor scroll labels and a couple of more interesting bat wings. I think this cabinet will be a great place to store my Monarchs and Victor Records, perhaps my handful of early Columbias as well though I do have a Grafonola Favorite in the attic those may be more appropriate for (my first machine when I was 18!).
Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to work the front latch to get it open and trying to stop smiling so much, can't wait to dig in and get this thing up and running. I like patina so I'm going to keep the restoration to cleaning and mechanicals, no re-plating or anything. It's easier to go forwards than it is to go backwards... Cheers!
This did come with a matching cabinet that I thought was pretty neat. They really can't be separated because otherwise there's a huge Vic shaped light patch on the top of the cabinet! I've also never seen a reproducer like that before but without the needle bar it's pretty useless. Luckily I have an extra rebuilt exhibition lying around that I can use instead. If anyone knows how to source parts for this Improved Concert reproducer I'd love for someone to point the way!
The main thing missing is the dowel that holds the tonearm in place. Apparently this has been played with and messed around with in the Inn where this sat for many years. I'm just happy it had as many of the parts as it had. If anyone knows where I can source that little pin that would be lovely as well. Otherwise I might have to make something.
The cabinet was pretty full of 1930s and 40s Columbia red labels and Decca records in various states. Those are already in a box to bring to GoodWill. Did save a few Victor scroll labels and a couple of more interesting bat wings. I think this cabinet will be a great place to store my Monarchs and Victor Records, perhaps my handful of early Columbias as well though I do have a Grafonola Favorite in the attic those may be more appropriate for (my first machine when I was 18!).
Right now I'm just trying to figure out how to work the front latch to get it open and trying to stop smiling so much, can't wait to dig in and get this thing up and running. I like patina so I'm going to keep the restoration to cleaning and mechanicals, no re-plating or anything. It's easier to go forwards than it is to go backwards... Cheers!
