9-55 - record compartment question

[Swing Band Heaven]

I have both an early and a late production cabinet for the Victor 9-55 and there are a few subtle differences in the design of the cabinet. One thing I have noticed is that in the early 9-55 cabinet the light for the record compartment has its bulb holder completely recessed within roof part of the record compartment, on the later production the bulb holder is mounted in the same location but on top of the roof part in full view.

Now i am not aware that the light in the record compartment of the 9-55 had any shade for the light like the 10-50 did, but with the early production cabinet the bulb holder is recessed out of sight but there are two small screw holes either side as though something was mounted there. Does anyone know if any of the early 9-55 had a shade over the record compartment light?

S-B-H

[schweg]

[Swing Band Heaven]

Steve,
thanks for the photos. Now what you have pictured is what is in my later 9-55 cabinet but different from the earlier one I have. I will take a picture later of the light configuration to show what I mean.

S-B-H

[Swing Band Heaven]

Here are some pictures of the earlier 9-55 with the recessed bulb holder. It looks original and on the face side there are two screw holes where it looks like something was at one time attached. Could this have been a shade to cover the bulb? Or is it possible that the machine has been altered to have a recessed bulb holder at a later point the the original bulb holder screw holes remain. Any thoughts?

I have also attached photos of the data plate for each cabinet. In the later cabinet the bulb holder is just as shown is Steves photos.

S-B-H

[Skihawx]

No way is that hole or light socket original! The socket is
early, the screws are wrong, the big hole is rough and off center.

The small screw holes visible might line up with the
correct socket. Don't think the 9-55 ever had a shade but did
share the same socket as the shaded version.

[ChuckA]

Got to agree with skihawx, that is a bad light socket installation and not original. I've owned seven 9-55's over the years and restored four others, with serial numbers from around 700 up to around 2000 and all had the same light fixture and no shade.

Chuck

[Swing Band Heaven]

Good to know. I can remove it and replace it with the correct surface mounted bulb holder. The screw holes do in fact line up with one of those of an original bulb holder. Thanks for the information.

S-B-H