The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Yesterday I purchased my first Victor phonograph for the low low price of $1,300. The machine is a Victor VI. Overall, the machine is in great shape. The reproducer needs new gaskets and a new flange. The motor needs to be re-greased and oiled. The case is in almost perfect condition, though I'm considering cleaning the machine with kotten cleaner and howard's feed-n-wax.

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I have a question about the rubber gaskets in the reproducer. For every Exhibition Reproducer that I have seen online, the gaskets are made out of white tube-like material. My reproducer's gaskets are pink/orange like the one's you would find in a number two reproducer. Does anyone have information on this type of gasket setup and where I can find the correct pink replacements?



I also noticed that the needle screw is not the typical round type I have on my other Victrola's. This screw is flat on the top. The screw does not appear to fit right into the reproducer. I can't screw it in all the way. I wonder if this screw is original or a replacement?









Does anyone know what year this machine was made? The Victor Data Book was not clear on the exact date. I measured cabinet and based on dimensions and the serial number, I think the machine is a Victor VI type M. Unfortunately, according to the book, this machine was manufactured between 1905 and 1915. From what I read online, there were a number of fires at the Victor factories. Possibly, exact records don't exist?

Looks like the gaskets in your reproducer are petrified. You want to replace them with the white tubing. The thumbscrew in your Exhibition is not correct and looks too large. I'd guess that someone drilled out the hole and tapped it for what they had available. I am curious... when you rotate the reproducer into a playing position, does the needle reach the spindle? It should touch the spindle or come very close. Jerry Blais

Looks like you got a pretty good deal!

To concur, you should choose your gasket material on the basis of performance, not color.

As for the thumb screw, check with George Vollema at Great Lakes Antique Phonograph: he's very likely to have a correct one.

Bill

The white rubber tubing from Ron Sitko has an excellent softness, that will give you the best performance. And I assure you, that you will be surprised by the improvements in sound quality and volume!

If you are concerned about the color, you could seriously try to stain it with red/orange watercolors or even beetroot to give it a proper tint. This white rubber has a good absorptive surface. I would only avoid colors with any solvents or lacquer in it.

I also strongly recommend you to get a new rubber back for the Exhibition reproducer.

A great machine!

WOW, a great buy. Where did you find it?

As to when it was made, it seems reasonable to get an approximation by comparing the serial number with the number shipped each year, which would put yours around 1906.

Clay

WDC wrote: If you are concerned about the color, you could seriously try to stain it with red/orange watercolors or even beetroot to give it a proper tint.

proper tint? I thought white was the proper color.

At $1300, you stole it. Congratulations! That's close to what I paid for my Victor III a couple years ago.

Back in the good old days of the 1960s I was given so many Victrolas that (I'm sorry to say) I used to have to scrap the cabinets and just keep the mechanical parts. I just didn't have room. I found lots of outside horn Victors (though never a VI); those I knew better than to scrap. The point being, I had dozens and dozens of Exhibition reproducers back then, including many gold-plated ones. Without exception, all had white gasketing. And for sure, they were original (and dry as wood). I've never seen red on an Exhibition so I concur with the others who suggest you get some new tubing from Ron Sitko and make that machine sing as beautifully as it looks.

Clearly someone lost the original needle set screw. You can easily buy a replacement, but it's possible the original hole has been re-tapped for a larger screw. If so, you'll need to replace the entire needle bar. That shouldn't be hard to find.

You really stole that machine. It's a fine example. Congratulations!

I've heard from old time collectors, over the years, that the service life of the original exhibition gaskets was about 10-15+ years, depending on the environmental conditions. I'd say it's a safe bet that the gaskets in your sound box are not authentic. I've never seen an Exhibition sound box, in as-found original condition, that was fitted with anything but conventional (petrified) rubber tube gaskets.

Based on what I see in the photo, somewhere along the line--possibly 50 or more years ago--someone rebuilt the sound box using whatever material they could find for gaskets. (They almost look like some type of putty that has hardened with age.)

Along this line, the thumbscrew does not look authentic. Hopefully, the hole was not re-drilled to accommodate it. If it was, you may have to hunt down a replacement needle bar.

But, in any event, I think you got a real bargain! The cheapest I've ever seen a Vic. VI sell for was about $2,000. Most of the junior models, even today, are priced in the range you paid.

DS

Congratulations!

Green with envy....