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Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:59 pm
by barnettrp21122
Make: Victor
Model: Automatic Victrola VE 10-35 X
Serial #: 9443
Year(s) Made: 1928-1929
Original Cost: $365.00
Case/Cabinet Size: 40 ½ X 38 ½ X 20 ¾ "
Turntable/Mandrel: 8" Rubber molded, black
Reproducer/Sound-Box: #5 Orthophonic
Motor: Induction Disc
Horn Dimensions: Large metal re-entrant
Reproduction Parts: None
Interesting Facts:
Victor's amazing 2nd automatic changer mechanism, unbelievably heavy with industrial-grade cast pieces throughout. The changer alone, weighing in at sixty pounds, brings new meaning to the term "record reject," but actually handles records pretty well. This was Victor's last acoustic changer model made.
Bob Barnett
[youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5o6cy78u-E[/youtube]
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:11 pm
by Lenoirstreetguy
I just watched your Youtube video and that is one of the best recordings of an acoustic phonograph that I've heard on Youtube: that really gives a very fine impression of the sound of an Orthophonic Victrola. Very nice.
Jim
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:17 pm
by barnettrp21122
Thanks Jim. I took extra steps to make sure the sound was better than the typical on-camera microphone.
Bob
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:23 pm
by Nat
wonderful to see and hear. If you don't mind my asking - what do you do for needles? The one in the video looks like a standard steel needle - so I'm assuming you can't go for multiple plays?
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:32 pm
by barnettrp21122
No, in the video it's using a cactus thorn needle, made by myself from barrel cactus thorns. Normally a Victor Tungs-tone needle would be used.
The thorn needles play best on unworn records, and would seem to be easier on the grooves. They're easily sharpened and reused. I can play dozens of records before the needle gets too short to be used.
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Bob
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 6:54 pm
by OrthoSean
That's just great, Bob! This makes me want to get to work on mine even more, but I have a few other projects ahead of this one...
Thanks for sharing!
Sean
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:48 pm
by phonophan79
Awesome! Great quality video! Thanks for taking the time to share.
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 10:51 pm
by wjw
That one's a beauty! How is it there are no repro parts in her? Was casting metal just less of a problem with this model?
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2011 11:03 pm
by barnettrp21122
wjw:
Thanks for the compliment. It's my current favorite machine!
I can only assume that the cast metal formulas must have been adjusted or improved by the time this model was introduced. I recall reading that the later cast metal orthophonic reproducers have remained more stable. The bronze-finish one on this machine was just fine, needing ball bearing replacements and a new isolator mount.
Bob
Re: Featured Phonograph No. 81: Victrola VE 10-35 X
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:04 am
by Kirkwood
Wow. What a great, and great sounding, machine. Thanks for the great clear photos and the Youtube link, I can see why this is your new favorite. I like that elegant, straight-forward simplicity of the walnut cabinet almost as much as wonderful sound.