The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I picked up this 8-12 a couple of weeks ago. The motor is in great shape, and the finish is original with a few dings. My main complait now is that the original finish is there, but lacks the luster and shine that I have seen on some others. I have applied a coat of wax, which helped some. I have also applied 2 coats of lemon oil, which helped a lot more, but did not last. I have read a number of posts here about finishes, but have not found the answer to mine yet. I do not want to refinish it, just give it back some of it's orginal shine. Any thoughts?

I also found this record cabinet that seems almost exactly made for my early VV-VI. There appears to be a needle holder in the door, and what probably used to be a swing out used needle holder just underneath. Has anyone seen this type of cabinet before? Any pictures so that I can try to rebuild the swing out used needle tin?
Thanks,
Matt

Hey Matt.

Your 8-12's finish looks good to me. Not sure I would go any further with it. One question though. Did you clean it with something like Kotton Klenser or GoJo before waxing it?

Clay

That 8-12 looks great i have one in my collection. One of the nicest sounding Orthophonics i have. Congrats on finding it

Most 8-12 machines left the factory with a "dull antique" finish. This phonograph was supposed to look like a two-hundred-year-old Provençal cabinet, not like a new piece from Grand Rapids. I have seen a very few 8-12 machines with a glossy finish, but they were stained in a light "French Walnut", and were very early production.

Matt,

Would you please post more photos of the record cabinet? Sounds like an interesting find!

mattrx wrote:I picked up this 8-12 a couple of weeks ago. The motor is in great shape, and the finish is original with a few dings. My main complait now is that the original finish is there, but lacks the luster and shine that I have seen on some others. I have applied a coat of wax, which helped some. I have also applied 2 coats of lemon oil, which helped a lot more, but did not last. I have read a number of posts here about finishes, but have not found the answer to mine yet. I do not want to refinish it, just give it back some of it's orginal shine. Any thoughts?

I also found this record cabinet that seems almost exactly made for my early VV-VI. There appears to be a needle holder in the door, and what probably used to be a swing out used needle holder just underneath. Has anyone seen this type of cabinet before? Any pictures so that I can try to rebuild the swing out used needle tin?
Thanks,
Matt

Clay,

I wiped it down and then waxed the lid. I do not have Kotton Klenser, but I do have GOJO. I was not sure if it was o.k. to use on this finish. I just really do not want to make it any worse out of ignorance. If the GOJO is o.k. with this finish, then that is what I'll do.

Thanks,
Matt

Ewok,

Here are a few pics of the record cabinet. Anyone who has a good idea how to rebuild the "used needle" tray, please let me know.

Thanks,

Matt

GoJo should be just fine. I just picked up a real basket case 8-12 that needs everything a few weeks ago and I'll be cleaning it with GoJo once I know I can remedy some of the other issues it has first. It's a real project, but it certainly was cheap enough. Mine's an early one with gold plating and it's electric to boot, so it's certainly worth trying to save.

I'll probably be posting some wanted items for it once I know I can go forward!

Good luck Matt!

Sean

There are a few dings, and one small chip. I used a stain pen on those. The veneer is in excellent shape, but overall the finish just looks dull and almost dirty. I will try the gojo and see. I am glad to know that it was never intended to be shiny, that tells me I am not too far off the mark. I got the reproducer from George V. The original was bronze and this one is more of a gun metal. I think a bronze would look better with the other hardware, so I will keep my eye out for one. After that, and a light cleaning of the cloth and turntable felt, I should be done.

I'd use the GoJo, applying GENTLY with some 0000 steel wool going with the grain. (Maybe do a test area first in an inconspicious place.) That will get the years of grunge off. Might require a couple of cleanings given that there is now wax on top of the grundge.

Clay