The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I found this VV-80 and it's in pretty rough shape so it's a perfect project to try repairing and replacing some of the mahogany veneer. The phono is from an original family owner and was purchased in San Francisco from the Wurlitzer company by his grandmother. It was set in her house next to a window and has had the sun beating down on it for around 40-50 years (if you look at the front, some of the original finish is there and looks wet compared to the rest of the cabinet where he told me another piece of furniture shaded it). The finish on the two sides that faced the sun have most of the original finish gone and the veneer is almost completely lifted off the doors and one side panel. I tried re-attaching the veneer by ironing the panes but there isn't any glue left to bond them. Besides the cabinet damage, this little unit plays quite nicely and looking forward to having it back to a presentable shape. I'll post some of the new veneer attachments when I get them finished but here is a link to the other pics in the photobucket site.

http://s1179.photobucket.com/albums/x38 ... r%20VV-80/

Removed the old delaminating veneer from the doors and the one side and replaced it with the new mahogany veneer using the heatlock type glueing. I found this was a bit easier than I thought and now off to the staining the cabinet to the original colors.

Just a suggestion - The next time you tackle a similar project, I would recommend attempting to match the grain on the left side and right side. As it is now, they are totally different, and anyone knowledgeable about Victrolas will spot this as a re-do immediately.

AZ,
Your absolutely right. The victor company quality was far superior to my attempt but as this unit was destined to be scrapped, I don't think it's to bad of a job as a trial. I think next time I'll see if I can get a bigger piece of veneer to work with to properly match it up.

I don't think that any knowledgeable Victrola person will be fooled for long by *any* refinish job, no matter how skillful and attractive. Given the fact that this case was ready for the landfill, I think Microtrol has brought it back handsomely up to this point. Just hang on to those "before" pictures, and when your project is done you will have good documentation to show the comparison. I'll bet reaction will be "wow, you started with THAT wreck and ended up with this beauty?!" I'll be interested to follow the progress of this restoration as you apply the new finishing materials. Please keep us posted, and good luck!

What you want to look for veneer wise is "book matched" where two adjacent slices when opened like a book show mirrored pattern. The type of cut from the flitch is important too. Most Victors used quartersawn white oak flitches. Also, pay attention to grain matching vertically between doors (looks like you did).

Here is link to some information on Veneers http://www.comptonlbr.com/Veneer.html

I always try and preserve the original finish where possible, however, there machines that are too far gone and need this level of restoration. I am OK with as it preserves and otherwise doomed machine. These can always be given as a gift guilt free to friends or relatives.

I am anxious to see how it turns out. I am sure it was be stunning when complete. Please post pictures!

Congratulations on saving this Victrola from an otherwise certain death. Thank goodness it didn't wind up in my basement with all the others down there - I just use them for parts. Frankly, I'm too jaded to put that kind of effort into a common Victrola, but God bless those who do! I'm being serious.

Speaking of parts, what might be considered "junk" cabinets can sometimes contribute those book-matched veneers mentioned earlier in this thread. Often the sides are book-matched, and a severely damaged or otherwise useless cabinet can become an organ donor.

It may be that at some future point you'll look back and think, "Why did I expend all that effort on a Victrola 80?" The project may seem crazy then, but that machine may well entertain people for another hundred or two hundred years - - all because of your efforts.

George P.

And let's not underestimate the VV-80: it's basically a XI but with a larger horn and the "fat" tone arm ("taper tube" in Victorspeak), and it should sound terrific with a rebuilt no. 2, or even Exhibition, sound box.

Thanks to everyone here on the info on the veneer, If I do another major refinish I will definatley do a better job on the matching. as for this little unit, it is going to a friend of mine who after seeing the 8-12 that I refinished, she wanted one. The coloring will be a dark brown as it will match her room and I think she'll enjoy it as much as I do. I have been only restoring lost causes ( missing veneer, already sanded, or poly urthethaned) and don't mind bringing these ones back. I tend to give them away after I'm done except the special ones I'm lucky to find. I have to say this forum has really provided me with so much info making it so enjoyable to be involved in these wonderful machines, so thanks again

Microtrol, it is great to see someone who wants to preserve these machines. They are a look into how people once lived and what they did for entertainment, or really just a little peek into how it was in those days. I like to do the same thing and it is not important how much this machine may be worth or how much I can get out of it but that it is still around to tell its story of long ago. Congrats on a fine job!!! The machine has not only been saved from oblivion; it has served to enhance your learning and experience and has led you to others who also have expertise and so the next time, the machine that otherwise would have been destroyed will turn out to be even better yet!