The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hi all,

I'm in a bit of a spot, really.

My current Franken-trola portable, a VV 1-5, snapped it's mainspring last week. The motor isn't original, and is rather difficult to service (plus, the machine itself looks like sh*t, save for the nickel plating), so I've been contemplating something.

There's an auction tomorrow where a VV-35 is being offered for sale. It looks to be a fair original, despite the description saying "restored!" I could either swap the #4 into it, or keep the existing #2, and sell the #4 to justify buying it.

My questions are,

1. What is a original, unrestored #4 brass reproducer worth, in excellent condition?

2. What would be a fair price to pay for a working, original VV-35, that shows some signs of age? ( some cloth wear, minor pitting, etc.)

Thanks guys.

I have seen #4 brass reproducers go as high as $200,00 depending on the market and who is bidding. The most I would bid on an average VV 35 with #2 reproducer is $100.00
Harvey Kravitz

I would, buy the machine and also keep the no. 4. If finances don't permit right now, I'd buy the machine and keep the original no. 2 that came with it.

If you decide to sell the no. 4, send me a pm. I'm looking for a decent one.

I must say $2-$400 (;

Can you post pics if you end up with it ?


nipper

$2-400 for the #4 reproducer, or the machine?


If the reproducer is around that, I may have just crapped myself. If the machine is around that, well, I probably should have bid.


Long story short, I didn't realize I was going to an antique store that held auctions. Their motto appeared to be "We'll start it at $1000, and the lowest we will take is $100 past full blown retail. If you don't like it, tough, it'll sit in our display room"

They said they needed $150 to open the bidding on the Victrola, and the room was dead silent. So, it didn't sell.

I personally was not going any higher than $80 for it. Whoever worked on it last did a pathetic slap-dash job.
They essentially covered the outside in black shoe polish, and left the rest alone. IT did work though, I'll give them that.

I still think, however, if I can't fix the spring on my VV 1-5, I'll sell the brass #4 off it, and just get rid of the rest. Seems a shame, but it was hacked up decades before I got it.

Hopefully, you'll get the 1-5 running again. Restored, they are excellent performers, as this video illustrates --

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccz4vllyMsU[/youtube]

If you're able to pack a little heavy grease around the base of the tonearm, where it pivots, it will really help bring out the bass, which you can hear (somewhat) in the video. The VV-1-5 is the only portable I regretted selling, and that was 25 years ago.

DS

I haven't gotten a chance to get around to it yet, but I'd certainly like to. I'll agree, the sound quality is surprisingly good, it's noticeably better than with a #2 reproducer. I just wish it wasn't so hacked together.