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Good morning all, I saw this in an auction, I’m wondering if this is modified. I have a VV-VI that looks just like this except mine has an internal horn . Did they make a VV-VI with an external horn? It has the doors like mine?
Thanks
Dan

Sorry Forgot photo

Frankenphone. It has the doors of a Victrola but also a horn, and the lack of the tapered tonearm is something victor never did. do not buy

Unfortunately it has five bids and the bids have already reached $600.

DanP58 wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:05 am Good morning all, I saw this in an auction, I’m wondering if this is modified. I have a VV-VI that looks just like this except mine has an internal horn . Did they make a VV-VI with an external horn? It has the doors like mine?
Thanks
Dan

This site -- http://victor-victrola.com/ -- shows and describes nearly every model made by the Victor Talking Machine Company and is an excellent reference guide for those starting out in the hobby. Here's the frame with the list and jumps to the model descriptions -- http://victor-victrola.com/new_page_2.htm

It's sometimes confusing for a new-bee, since Victor sold two different models containing the "VI" model number, but they were entirely different.

The most deluxe Victor outside horn model was the Vic. VI (or V VI) described here -- http://victor-victrola.com/Victor%20VI.htm -- It was referred to as the "Victor the VI".

The far more common table model Victrola (BTW, "Victrola" is used to describe the models with enclosed horns) was labeled the VV-VI ("VV" for "Victor Victrola") and is described here -- http://victor-victrola.com/VI.htm -- It was referred to as the "Victrola the Sixth".

As for the "Frankenphone" shown in the photo, I've seen dozens over the past 50 years. Why the conversion was done most likely has to do with the fact that an outside horn model will sell for three or four times more than a commonly found enclosed horn model.

It's sometimes confusing for a new-bee, since Victor sold two different models containing the "VI" model number, but they were entirely different.

So true! That's why I avoid using the expression "Vic" when describing a machine even if it's one that is not confusing like a Victor II.
Jerry B.

Thank you I knew something wasn’t right with it , I wasn’t buying it, but someone likes it for $600.
Dan

mrvic2 wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:19 am Frankenphone. It has the doors of a Victrola but also a horn, and the lack of the tapered tonearm is something victor never did. do not buy

Actually, the first Victor rear-mounts utilized tubular tone arms (October 1902-April 1903).

George P.

phonogfp wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 12:55 pm

mrvic2 wrote: Thu Jan 23, 2025 9:19 am Frankenphone. It has the doors of a Victrola but also a horn, and the lack of the tapered tonearm is something victor never did. do not buy

Actually, the first Victor rear-mounts utilized tubular tone arms (October 1902-April 1903).

George P.

Rigidarm.jpg

That was a mistake of my phrasing, i mostly meant they never used the type of tonearm that is shown on it. (and definitely not on a later one like a victor 6)

Note that Pathé did make a machine--of which the one under discussion is *not* an example--with both internal and external horns, the Jour et Nuit (Day and Night) model. The idea was that one would play with the open horn for volume during the day and with the smaller, quieter internal horn to avoid disturbing others at night. Some photos are here: http://www.phonographcollector.com/2015 ... ht-or.html