The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Howdy: I have been emailing a guy concerning a VV-XI on Craigslist......it is nicely priced for admitedly the most common model, spring motor is operable, no real gashes on cabinetry, reproducer will need gaskets changed, etc. However, the owner "touched it up" with polyurethane satin clear stain. The one posted photo showed it to be a remarkably shiny machine, which prompted me to ask him the question. Is this the kiss of death.....or more accurately, is it worth my while to strip it and refinsh the whole thing, or live with the "modern" finish, or just pass on it? I'm not in the business of collecting the rarest examples or anything, so a low price for what is otherwise a good looking machine does draw my attention... John

I don't know about it's value due to the current polyurethane finish, I haven't been at this long enough but, as to your question about you possibly doing the refinishing...
I am currently restoring a vv-90 and one of the things I used was an antique restorer called "howard's restore-a-finish" it worked quite well but on the label of its container it specifically stated not to use it when someone had put polyurethane over the finish. This might be something to consider since all products you would need to use will probably have the same warning. All that means is that the method of how you treat the wood may be more invasive and involved than you think it may be if you have to really dig at the wood to get the polyurethane out before applying anything else to restore the finish with an authentic lacquer.

That is part of my concern ...the effort will far outweigh the "savings" on this. I'm sure someone has probably encountered a similarly "refinshed" machine, getting off the poly (paint stripper?) may cause more problems then leaving it as is. Yes, I've used some Howard products also on machines....never to full blown finish stripping though. John

My take on your situation is if you are not buying this particular machine for an investment and if it is a nice looking machine to "YOU" to get it for yourself if the price is right. Try talking the price down by pointing out that to some collectors a poly finish is undesireable and lowers the value in their eyes, perhaps your eyes too.

In my opinion, the modern finish is now part of its history. If it looks nice and you can live with it "as is" and the price is good, you should consider the purchase. If, in your opinion, it needs refinishing, you should consider the time requirements in comparison to the sale price. I would rather spend $225 for a nice original XI than $100 for one that needs refinishing. That's not to say that I don't admire the collector that restores the $100 one. He is probably saving a machine that others might sell for parts. Jerry Blais

Thanks for the advice.....I will personaly be passing on it. The asking price is exactly $100, though my impression is that it could be purchased for less. A search for "Victrola" on Craigslist under Frederick, MD will turn it up. The seller is located in Waynesboro, PA if anyone would be interested. John

Look pretty nice for $100 bucks. If the grain shows nicely under that piano finish, I'd definately buy it for that especially if the hardware looked as good.

You can use 4-0 steel wool and rub the whole machine down to take away the shine.

Then apply something like butchers wax to bring it back to something more suitable for your taste.

My humble opinion.

Blizz

Originally, didn't they have almost a piano finish? I have a XVI that is almost that shiney except in places on the sides where it has some slight alligatoring.

Bizz is correct. Some 0000 steel wool would take that finish down a notch or two. It will level out any imperfections in the finish and make it feel great to the touch. It looks like a good value even with the new finish. Jerry

One more observation... Light should bounce off a piano finish like it does off a mirror. That is because the grain is filled and the surface is smooth. In the photo notice how the white paint on the wall reflects off the finish, From the photo, it looks like a nice piano finish. If you are in the market for a XI, I think it's a good value at $100 or at least an offer. Jerry Blais