The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A VV-VI has become available. It's been laying around unused for years, most likely decades. It's f/s and I don't know its condition, and neither does the woman who's selling it on behalf of her long deceased father. From the little about it I do know, the cabinet is very solid, and it has a crank. The turntable mat is shot, and the reproducer condition is unknown. All that could be relayed by the daughter is that when she was a little girl, she heard it play records, and she says there's no needle. I have time to fiddle with it. What's a fair offer knowing the little about it that I do? And I realize there's so much conjecture. Thanks

Before you make an offer, perhaps the seller can provide a photo or two. The VV-VI is a common model and parts are available. If the reproducer needs a repair, you may want to consider contacting Wyatt Markus.
He does excellent reproducer repair work. Several years ago, I bought a VV-VI in similar condition for $75, but I was able to see it first.
Don

First of all, the VV-VI is a great machine to work on, and much easier than some of the other Victor models. It will also last pretty much forever if you restore it correctly, and take care of it. I bought one at a flea market about four years ago for $40, which I thought was a good price. I did have to get a few parts, but it really wasn’t any problem as they are readily available. Generally speaking, I do think that $75 is a fair price for a common model Victrola such as this. Others may disagree… That’s just my opinion.

Of course, it would be good to know if the springs are in good shape and if it has a reproducer… Things like that.

John

John

John

The VV VI is a great machine to have! They are easy to work with and maintain and good players for a beginner. What's not to love?

Excellent, inexpensive starter machine to see if you're interested in getting more involved. Easy to restore, easy to maintain. Get a nice, rebuilt Exhibition or No. 2 reproducer for it, a packet or two of needles (use each needle once only!) , get some period correct 78s, and enjoy!

You guys are great. Thanks so much for the good advice. And yes, I am a beginner (how d'ya guess)

Speaking of the VV-VI ...
Well, I bought it. And to my surprise it works rather nicely. The motor mech is very gummy and greasy, but nothing that a good cleaning can't remedy, and it's all there. It works and it was $25.

It needs a felt mat, and the reproducer needs to be rebuilt or replaced. The reproducer is a "Royal" brand that definitely requires rebuilding. This leads me to my next question: should I spend for a No 2 or spend to rebuild the Royal? Authenticity isn't my goal, casual listening if anything, and probably not all that often is what this player will be used for.

Opinions, please. I know the player only cost $25, but I still want to do what's smartest. Thanks

If you don't care for authenticity.. this reproducer properly restored and adjusted can do a great job... It's like a period improvement over the original smaller Exhibition soundbox, replaced by this Royal, with a larger mica diaphragm which will give more bass if properly rebuilt. Kind of a mid 20s replacement. Besides that, its needlebar fulcrum arrangement is very similar to the Exhibition: the bar has a plate supported on two knife points protruding from the reproducer body or front ring, by means of two leaf springs and screws to regulate their pressure.
It looks like you'll need new rubber gaskets and a new mica diaphragm, as the current one looks like a plastic circle attached with glue or something... You should clean it carefully and examine it, as it could be still better than it looks now...

Inigo wrote: Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:14 pm If you don't care for authenticity.. this reproducer properly restored and adjusted can do a great job...

Good info, and no, I don't care for authenticity, so I'm more than ok with this reproducer, so long as I can get parts needed to refresh it. Are the parts easy to get?
Thank you

Yes, and not expensive... Although the machine was so cheap that maybe the parts cost more...
Seriously, a new mica diaphragm if needed, of adequate size, and gasket tubing for making new rubber gaskets can cost less than a meal.
The rest for making it sing again and look decent is cleaning, regreasing, oiling, a bit waxing, patience, love and care.
Here you'll find many colleagues advising you and leading you along the work to do, and you'll get an enormous satisfaction from doing all this work yourself and ending with a lovely machine that plays records very well...
As others have said, if you're patient and have some basic mechanical abilities, it's an easy machine to repair and make it look and work nicely.