The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

My first R - love it

Day one

Congrats!!! The Victor R is a great looking machine. Love the Gibson tone arm. Keep us posted on the progress.

Wonderful!!!

Couple more pics - I am about finished - had to fabricate coupler for horn elbow and spring for brake which broke on me - motor was complete except for speed adjustment screw - threads in metal top same as later Victrola speed control - just had to cut one shorter. Took motor apart and cleaned and lubed it - it will just get through a 10 inch record on one wind. Has long throat Exhibition reproducer - rebuilt and it sounds nice - it is very loud even using soft tone needles.
I like the red felt - lol - but will change that to green - differing opinions from 2 parts dealers on whether original was lighter or darker green. Knowledge or opinions on that are appreciated.
I bought this with intention of restoring and reselling but I am keeping it.

I'm happy for you that you're keeping it. It would be hard to top that one for its condition and less common tone arm.

I would do dark green on the felt. The lighter just looks too distracting and so much brighter than the machine as a whole.

It looks great but I agree with JerryVan. You might consider replacing the felt. I save felt from 12" turntables. On most there is a line where the needle slipped off the edge of a 10" record. The 8" Victor R turntable would be inside that damage circle making many used turntable felts good candidates for your R.

Jerry B.

Hey Jim,
Here is a picture of my R turntable which still sports its original felt.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Bob S.