The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently picked up an early VV-IX and was wondering if anyone else has seen an exhibition reproducer with the thumb screw on the left side. The machine has an unusual brake and back bracket as well. Is it some sort of transitional machine, Canadian, oddball?

I've seen hundreds of Exhibitions and never one with the thumbscrew on the left side. Factory error, maybe, but more likely something somebody "messed with". I recently got a really nice oak VV-50 where someone drilled and tapped a new thumbscrew hole in the left hand side like that though. I have no idea why they did that unless the original one got broken. Thankfully, I had a spare Victrola #2 reproducer here, but I'm on the lookout for a new needle bar for the one that came with the machine to replace eventually.

Sean

It doesn't appear to have been modified. Perhaps an early triangular hole reproducer or a mistake. I'm not sure there is enough metal on the right side to thread. It's kind of a strange machine with the odd brake and the taper tube bolt secured with a knurled nut and no horn to speak of.

has anyone considered the reproducer was for a left handed person? that would be the most likely reason

That machine is an early version of the IX. The "horn" was part of the case as in early IVs, the motor hung down into it and the slats were slanted downward. The tonearm support is legitimate as is the unusual brake. Unfortunately, this style of brake is not mentioned in the Victor Data Book, but I have seen a few over the years including a gold one on an L door XVI. Some years ago I owned this same version of the IX except for the left-handed reproducer setscrew, of course. Rizbone, could you please try to post clearer photos of the reproducer, maybe from a couple of different angles? It might help us get a clearer idea of what is going on here.

Jim

I'm with kirtly2012.
I think it's a modification for a Lefty.
-Martin

...and the ones turned by only 90 degrees are for underhanded people

it's a manufacturing mistake. I bet a bamboo needle doesn't work very well in this one.

Logic spoils everything. A bamboo needle would play flat side down. Looks like a mistake. Thanks all.