Victor VV-VIII 1913

[orange]

Only in Oregon, lots of new 45s being recorded with unbelievable fidelity. But 78?? Wow!

They are pressing those to take over the world economy. When the Chinese discover they are short on pucks Chinese Communism will finally fall.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Nice to see an old thing loved and used, great for the parlor room, just like in the old days, Craigslist is full of 78's dirt cheap, stock up and enjoy my friend

Thank you sir. I had a bit of a time finding room for it, but it has a new home on top of my record cabinet for now. There are a lot of 78's, but I need to make sure they are the one from pre-1935.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Well. I got caught up in this right from the beginning. I ended up taking this to a cool place in VT http://www.victrolarepairservice.com/
I had the reproducer rebuilt, with new mica and gaskets. They also pulled the springs and replaced the 100 yr old grease from the housings and gears.
[attachment=2:3jv90whj]IMG_0421.JPG[/attachment:3jv90whj]
It now keeps true speed at 78 rpm, set right at the indicator and no longer "clunks"

I also picked up a product called "Kotton Klenser". It reminds me of Go-Jo, which is great for cleaning black grease off your hands. This thing really needed a deep cleaning, without stripping off all the old finish. It's in progress, and the lighting is different, but now you can actually see that this is oak!

Before:
[attachment=1:3jv90whj]Before.JPG[/attachment:3jv90whj]
After:
[attachment=0:3jv90whj]After.JPG[/attachment:3jv90whj]

I left the inside cover completely alone as not to mess with the old victrola decal and also because it was in really nice shape. It served as a good reference for color.

This a little more clean up, but the original finish is maintained without stripping, back to factory sound and operation. I did toss a replacement knob for the motor board too.

 

[laatsch55]

Joe , That is a beautiful thing right there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pure_Brew]

Thanks, I have a few more touch ups but it sure is lookin' purdy. After it's completely cleaned, I'll use a light finish restore then some feed-n-wax. Should be brilliant.

Edit: Measured 103.8db at the horn...

 

[laatsch55]

Pretty loud.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Final Restoration:
[attachment=5:2leq6jel]A-Closed.JPG[/attachment:2leq6jel]
[attachment=4:2leq6jel]B-Open.JPG[/attachment:2leq6jel]
[attachment=3:2leq6jel]C-Closer.JPG[/attachment:2leq6jel]
[attachment=2:2leq6jel]D-Lid.JPG[/attachment:2leq6jel]
[attachment=1:2leq6jel]E-VV-VIII 39641c.JPG[/attachment:2leq6jel]
[attachment=0:2leq6jel]F-New Gaskets-Mica.JPG[/attachment:2leq6jel]

 

[speakerman1]

Very nice.

Larry

 

[orange]

You'll be shelling the lacs with the best. Sweet Victor(y)!

 

[laatsch55]

Absolutely Gorgeous Joe.

 

[Pure_Brew]

I'm amazed how it came out. Took about 5 hours to clean it using 0000 steel wool and the cleanser, about 2-3 hours more to bring back the original finish and an hour or two to protect it with a beeswax formula.

I've never worked with antique wood before. No sanding, no stripping, no stain, no poly or shellac etc.

Someone put something on it, not sure of what it consisted of, but it was darker and there were old drips all around the corners. I'm going to guess it was at least 50 years ago, not sure, but both the original and whatever was put on it was flaking off from the veneer on the crank side, which you can see on the video. Fortunately it all came off and what was left was the finish that matched the inside of the untouched lid. The lid is still untouched.

The pics are pretty accurate, but it looks so bright because there are 6 little spotlights on it. But yup that's the color under bright light.

The white ring is the new gasket on the reproducer with the new mica. The center attaches with a tiny screw and is sealed with melted beeswax. Sounds much better now too.

 

[speakerman1]

That is why I like working with wood. It can be very pretty with some work.

Larry

 

[Elite-ist]

What a remarkable piece of audio history! You have done a fine job in restoring it Joe. And it's a working model, no less. Big dilemna, though: I wouldn't be able to recognize you should you happen to be featured in the Antiques Road Show if they tape in your area, and you decide to test the waters.

Nando.

 

[stereorob]

cool score man! i had an old victrola from 1925 floor model, it had a electric motor but a acoustic pickup. got it at a garage sale for $20. so douchebag tried to "modernize" it in the 1950s -i guess, and painted the whole thing puke neon green. -probubly why i got it so cheap. it still worked!

 

[Pure_Brew]

cool score man! i had an old victrola from 1925 floor model, it had a electric motor but a acoustic pickup. got it at a garage sale for $20. so douchebag tried to "modernize" it in the 1950s -i guess, and painted the whole thing puke neon green. -probubly why i got it so cheap. it still worked!

Thanks man. There were optional electric motors available for the victrola as far back as 1913. It didn't quite catch on until the 20's as many folks didn't have electricity. So it could have been original. (unless there was something otherwise more obvious)

Cheers

What a remarkable piece of audio history! You have done a fine job in restoring it Joe. And it's a working model, no less. Big dilemna, though: I wouldn't be able to recognize you should you happen to be featured in the Antiques Road Show if they tape in your area, and you decide to test the waters.

Nando.

I Promise to have a T-Shirt made that says "Hi Nando - It's Joe" made before I go to one!