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I am looking for a Victor Victrola VV4-3 lid. The Victrola was my grandfather's who I assume purchase it new but for some reason removed the lid at some point during his use of it. The machine is currently stored in an attic and has been there since the 1960s or longer but appears to be in good condition except it has no lid. I will be picking it up in a couple of weeks and will start the cleaning process.

Thank you

Try George Vollema at:
victrola 'at' triton 'dot' net

George has an immense cabinet bone-yard and since the 4-3 is a common model, he likely has a good selection from which to choose.

You are fortunate to have a family piece. Of all the phono items in my collection, there isn't a used needle that's been passed through my family. Jerry Blais

Thank you for passing on George Vollema's email address. I just sent him a message and will see what he comes back with concern a lid for my 4-3.

I remember my bothers and I cranking up the victrola in my grandparents' attic and listing to the hand full of 78s that were collecting dust. We did not know any better and used what ever needle we would come across in the needle wells or laying on top of the motor board. Since April 24th (when it was given to me) I have been reading up on the of technology of the day and Victor Talking Machines. Once I have the machine at my house I'll do some simple tests before I divide into cleaning the case and motor. I am hoping that the orthophonic reproducer is not in bad shape. This machine has been in non-climate controlled environment for 50 years or more. I have read that the pot metal reproduce housing on these have a tendency to crack and deteriorate when stored in this manor.

Thank you for the help,

Paul,
Have you found this website yet?
www.victor-victrola.com

Paul,

Depending on when your 4-3 was made, it is possible that the soundbox may be brass. I have the earlier version, the Consolette, and it has a nickel plated brass soundbox.
Like Edison's little Amberola 30, the diminutive Consolette/4-3 gave a lot of bang sound-wise for the buck.
The simplest way to discern pot metal from brass soundboxes is the lettering on the back. If incised, it is brass and raised is generally pot metal.
If it is pot metal and hasn't begun to swell and crack, it most likely won't in the future.

Bill

John, Bill, and others,

Should I move this conversation into the "Machines" forum since we are starting to get into specifics of my victrola? I am new to this group and would like to follow the correct protocol in such matters.

JohnM wrote:Paul,
Have you found this website yet?
http://www.victor-victrola.com

Yes I found the Victor Victrola page right away and have discovered others including this forum. I have also picked up a copy of The Compleat Talking Machine and Look For The Dog. According the Victor Victrola page, my 4-3 (S/N 120848) was built sometime in 1927 and has the redesigned or modernized cabinet based on where the serial number falls in the Victor production chronology. I can't do a detail study of the components yet as the machine is still in my grandfather's attic. I will be collecting it hopefully in a week or two.

The question of what materials the reproducer and other hardware are made off is relevant to my acquisition of a lid. George Vollema has at least two 4-3 lids, hinges, and pairs of lid supports in brass and nickel. Going off memory (not the most reliable thing to do)the tone arm, reproducer, and brake are silver in appearance. Would a 4-3 built sometime in 1927 have nickel plated brass hardware?

Another piece of information I need on the lid are it dimensions. George's 4-3 lids are 19 ⅛" x 19 ⅝" with a hinge that would be 15" long w/6 holes per side. Are these the correct dimensions for the modernized cabinet VV4-3?

Thank you for all your help,