The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Good morning, new to the forum and phonographs all together. Just received a Victor VV-IX yesterday and wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this machine (Year?). It does still work and play. Also trying to figure out what this item is that is circled in the second picture and if there is anything special I should use to clean it and try to bring back some of the shine, if it's even possible. Not afraid to sand it down and refinish if need be but keeping original would be preferred. Thanks in advance and hope to learn alot from this forum. Will post more pictures soon.

These look like pictures from a sales listing. And the cylinder thing is probably the used needle cup which goes in the center hole in the left hand side.

Thanks van, but they arent from a sales listing, I took them myself before I cleaned it up a little bit. (Not the best at taking photos). I will take a few more when I get home tonight. That cylinder is loose and comes off but is too big to be the needle holder for the cups on the left. Underneath of that cylinder is another cylinder with maybe a spring or something in it. It looks like there are either wires or cords coming from the bottom that run down into the box (Again pics to follow).

VanEpsFan1914 wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:32 am These look like pictures from a sales listing. And the cylinder thing is probably the used needle cup which goes in the center hole in the left hand side.

Van, I stand corrected, that cup does fit the center hole. I’ve also attached pictures of the other “thing” any help would be appreciated. I’ve also added a pic of the reproducer in case anyone can chime in to give anymore info.

Looks like it could have been some type of light maybe powered by a battery inside the motor box.

Seconding the possibility of a bayonet mount light fixture, will have to get my copy of the Fabrizio book out and look. If you can replace the wires and add a vintage bulb that'll be a fascinating accessory.

A light fixture makes sense, there are two wires running down and are just tied off at the moment. I’ll do some googling but any info you might have on replacements would be greatly appreciated

That looks like QUITE the project, I love cleanup projects like that. Yeah, it looks like someone put that needle cup over the lamp fixture probably to keep little fingers from getting a shock.
Can't wait to see what this looks like after you've finished! I'm sure you could wire up a quick switch to that light and plug it into the wall instead of messing with a battery. Good luck!

Thanks dischoard, you haven’t even seen the back yet…need a new veneer. It will be a job but I love learning about new things and hopefully I can restore this fine piece to what it once was. In reference to the light, does anyone have a picture of a 9 with the light? I have yet to find one. Was this installed by victor?

Shaun8484 wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 9:40 pm Thanks dischoard, you haven’t even seen the back yet…need a new veneer. It will be a job but I love learning about new things and hopefully I can restore this fine piece to what it once was. In reference to the light, does anyone have a picture of a 9 with the light? I have yet to find one. Was this installed by victor?

The light was an after-market device. Victor did install lights on their early machines with electric motors. (VE or Victor Electrola). You can find lots of advice here and at the APS forum on how to clean and care for your new project.

As you work on your machine and look for records, you may want to look for records pressed before the late 1930s. They will sound much better than the post war record pictured on your machine and can safely be played with a steel needle, just remember to use a new needle with each record.

Good luck and Welcome to collecting!