The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just got this VV-100 at the great price of $25. I know it's in bad shape but the guy that sold it to me actually had all the pieces to complete it. The motor runs really good and it appears that someone started to restore it then gave up. It came with a Victor 2 reproducer but it doesn't sound very good with it but when I put on a Symphonic reproducer on it really came to life. I would have normally passed on it but I need to practice my restoration skills and this is a perfect machine to practice on.

Yes, it looks like this will keep you busy for a while. As you point out, it is a great way to sharpen your restoration skills BEFORE you try to rescue that Walnut VV-XVI. Good luck. I'll be interested in seeing your progress.

-Martin

Martinola you call it a VV-XVI but the badge says VV-100, how can I tell what I really have? Thanks for noticing that the cabinet it in walnut and not mahogany the way I originally thought. My biggest concern is the bowed door thats what it going to really challenge me.

Sorry for the confusion, I can see why you read my post the way you did. The pictures you posted looked like you had a beat Mahogany VV-100. It sure does look like Mahogany to me, but if I'm wrong, good for you. I was simply commenting that this cheap machine was a good first project rather than starting on another, rarer, machine like a VV-XVI in Walnut (in case you screw something up). Again, my apologies. As always good luck with the project.

Martin

Ok, I understand now. You had me worried because like you said I don't want to start restoration on a phonograph that is hard to find parts for. I don't have any idea on how to fix that bowed door so the plan was just to replace it. I wanted a cheap phonograph that I can find parts to try and restore that first. Anyway thank you and I'll post pictures as I do the restoration.

As far as the warping goes - you may want to let it acclimatize to your location before trying to glue down and adjust for any warping. On machines with moisture damage, sometimes you can get lucky and as it dries thoroughly, the warping will minimize.
Regards,
Martin

I was planning on taking the door off and clamping it to a straight board and putting it out in the sun for a while and see 8f it straightens out a little. If not I saw a video on YouTube where the used a steam iron and used it to bring back the humidity and then clamping it to the board.