The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I came across this Victrola VV-IV this morning on eBay. It's expensive (starting price of $225) but perfect in every way!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VICTOR-VV-IV-PH ... 4cfa64850b

I don't see anything pricey about a clean, restored VV-IV for 225. unless you're cheap or just looking for bargains, in which case it's probably better to just stick with whatever you can find for next to nothing and then fix it up yourself (I mean, restoring or just cleaning a machine, rebuilding the reproducer, the motor, etc., does add some value, wouldn't you agree?).

There is a tad bit of corrosion on the ID tag, so it's not *[erfect*

IMHO $225 would be extremely reasonable for this machine, if you could get it for that.

Clay

Look what it cost to rebuild a Victor reprocucer and service the motor - add some turntable felt and a decent cabinet touch-up. $225.00 is not so bad as long as the shipping is within reason. Brian Keith

Seller is from Waynesboro, PA. I went to summer camp around there 35 years ago...

Hi Guys!
I guess there are lots of personal factors at play when placing a value on something involving both a decorative wooden case and a mechanical function like a Victrola. This machine is super, super clean and probably mechanically perfect as well. I guess it depends on what you are wanting to buy and how much you are willing to pay for it.
I wrote that I thought it was "pricey" because mine, even after repairs and restoration, still cost me far less. If the machine was mine and I had done all of that work I'd expect at least $225 as well. I think the asking price is justified if you are shopping for a clean, original, already fully restored machine. My bias came from my preference for clean, original machines still in need of the typical clean-up, reproducer rebuild and felt.
I hope the seller gets a nice price for all of his work. It is after all a stunning machine!

Just a tad off-topic, but I feel compelled to point out that some of us prefer even so-so original felt to new turntable felt. I've decided against buying a few machines for that reason alone. There may be new felt that looks like the old, but I haven't seen it yet, and the new felt sticks out like a sore thumb to my eye.

I have a box of turntables I use just to salvage the old felt, but some shades of green are difficult to find.

George P.

I personally like to find a machine that is as nice of an original as possible, and simply put a little elbow grease in it to make it look as good as possible. Something like turntable felt doesn't bother me, as long as it's the exact, or close to the exact original color. I'd rather have replacement felt that is 98% spot on on a otherwise mint machine, than one with the "ring" dug around it, and little moth holes all in it.

SignatureSeriesOwner wrote: I'd rather have replacement felt that is 98% spot on on a otherwise mint machine, than one with the "ring" dug around it, and little moth holes all in it.

I agree. I just haven't seen replacement felt that's 98% spot on. That's why if the original felt is acceptable, I always keep it.

George P.