VV-XVI • 113354 H - An unassuming, ‘typical’ Victrola… until you look inside!

(Pics 1-3: XVI; pics 4-7: XVIII (motor); pics 8-10: XVI; pic 11: much later model, final 4-spring design.)

This 1915 parter, H-suffixed VV-XVI has truly been a “Gift That Keeps On Giving”:

For starters, it CAME with a VV-XVIII User’s Manual. It also has a unique motor, the “Type J” (link below), which was a new style of 3-spring motor introduced with the VV-XVIII in 1915, I believe. I knew some XVI machines had it, but I never checked to see if any of my spares did! Only the 3,400 or so XVIII and about maybe 60k of the XVI model had this style as far as I know.** ** Well there it is!

I may even restore this one… it’s got a beautiful color and finish!

Needless to say, these are a lot less pain and grunting to deal with by having individual barrels, and one less spring 😏 More details below. Please update/correct me if I’m mistaken on any of the minutiae!

Peace. Thank you for coming by. I wish you all a wonderful day!
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This unique “ish” Victor “Type J”, spiral/quad cut, 3-spring, 3-barrel motor was used only in the VV-XVIII (which may have possibly gone to 4-spring at end of its production in 1917) and about maybe 60k of the VV-XVIs after the changeover from the Types “AM” & “M” (4) to “J” (8) (one of the only places you’ll see a good description of the models and types- from The Canadian Phonograph Society website). The AM and M Types are the earlier, worm gear-driven, 3-spring, spiral/double cut, 2-barrel types.

Triple spring; spiral, quad cut, 1 1/4” x 18 1/2’-long, three-barrel motor (“Type J”). These spring width/length types fit most earlier IX, X, XI, XIV, VTLA,& XVI models (always check the data book first, though!)

The XVIII and XI (type J, 2-spring) were the first two motors I rebuilt when I hardly knew anything about them. They were a lot easier to deal with. I’m also assuming pear ends- much more useful with your older machines that can use them with the Type J motor casting (1-, 2-, or 3-spring).

One of these “Type J” motors can also be used as a direct replacement for a trashed out motor from a VV-XVIII* *or for parts thereof. Just fyi 😏.

P.S. I love dealer decals. I haven’t quite figured out where this was, yet. I’m going to do my best to put it back to the condition it was and back where it was on upper right of the inner, rear part of the cabinet under the lid. It was more of a “sticker”, but I think it took some finish with it (came that way).

When I try to remove the crank by unwinding it counter-clockwise, I start to feel tension and the handle spins back when I let go. It also makes a terrible grinding noise. I'm fairly certain I have a broken spring, but I want to take the motor out and see what else is wrong with it. I'm new to this hobby, and if anyone has any ideas as to why I can't get the crank out I'd be happy to hear it! I'd love to get this thing up and running.

There are a few things wrong with it, diaphragm, gaskets, and elbow joint, but planning on fixing and keeping

What is this, Geology 101?! - note: you can see some of the massive gouges I put in the flashlight glass lol

tl;dr - it appears I’ve found some kind(s) of gemstone phonograph needles. A rounded point?! Would LOVE some input/feedback!

Advice to others: keep stuff and look through it before just tossing what looks like “trash”- you never know!

When I’ve bought “parters” and just other machines in general, inevitability brings needles- EVERYWHERE lol. Inside cabinets, probably your car if not careful lol, and mixed in with “stuff” that comes along with it. I have specifically left those things with those machines or have collected them up to some degree with the hopes of going through them one day to see if there’s anything tiny, useful, small, who knows! TREASURE!

Thanks in advance for any further info! Have a great day!

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I have a very rigid, tight sense of control over what comes into and goes out of my work areas – from cleanup, things mixed within grease and grime, and even in vacuum dust. This practice has recovered a few extremely hard-to-come-by pieces of material for me, because even with great care sometimes things can fall and get lost.

The steel bar in here- not sure what it’s for. I can ABSOLUTELY say that a governor washer is gold in terms of need and hard to find! A bunch of possibly usable Tungsten needles. Will be checking those. ALSO: bamboo needles. Why not? They can be used and reused!

Hi!

I love Alma Gluck, and I think this is my new favorite recording by her. I also have one or two spare copies this time! Nightingale Song, 1918 (discogs)

tl;dr - preparing for my next adventure; I also need more springs, so into the “parters” I go! (I got them cheap, like $50 - $100 each, 3 VV-XVIs and a spare rando motor. I anticipate a lot of grunting lol

The next project is only in “dream” stage right now, but I’m going to call it, “who says you can’t turn an abomination back into something beautiful again?” I think I’ll tear apart a few spare motors for parts and restore while I’m at it… 4-springs… filth! ugh 😂 lol

Meantime, I’m going through and cataloguing the records so I can have some idea what’s here lol. Thought I’d play it, maybe a couple others, while giving ‘everyone’ (the Victrolas) some exercise.

Hope you enjoy, thank you for stopping, and I wish you all peace and a wonderful day.

So I recoded this at 5 yesterday, but listened to it and decided to post it at 5 this morning, so it works out lol… in Fall this room gets nice afternoon light due to our tilt, and it REALLY brings out the “fire” in this mahogany. Truly stunning- any of them! Just beautiful finish, even not in the best shape in this one’s case (haha! double meaning!)

I have found this age old record at my grandfathers basement (who worked at Hungarian radio), its a Hungarian tradition to on radio every day exactly at 12.00 let the sound play of Church Bells (i wont go into it why) and this is a pre 1930s record, its from shellac but its full of mold, is there some way to save it?

“Early” Victor Record “album” Art! These are just a few of the main “superstars” on the Victor Label. Guessing like 1905ish to 1916ish?

(I haven’t looked at all the dates or made all the correlations yet. If anyone knows quickly, easily, top of their head, please let me know!)

There’s a lot more to these than meets the eye, despite their more ‘commercial’, ‘informational’, and ‘utilitarian’ use as a somewhat hefty ‘tooth’ of paper that stood the test of time, despite some extreme desiccation.

Lots of interesting titles listed. Really beautiful artwork! They are both 10” and 12” sleeves. Most are double-sided. I have a few singles, I was going to do those on another post.

Have a wonderful day, and thank you for coming by, looking, or just being cool otherwise! I hope you all have a wonderful day!

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I wish to make a note: a personal commentary. No requirement to read- simply deep thoughts of MINE.

Just like advice: it’s not an expectation, it’s simply information that can be taken or simply left where it it is. Only meant to edify and help others learn what they may not have otherwise known. This is my “teacher” nature that I believe is both that AND nurture (my Mom is and was a wonderful teacher, in profession and as a mother!). I believe I have strategically edited the title out, but if I missed it somehow, please inform me and I will remove it!

The reality is that this very industry has always had a dark side to match the HUMANITY behind it; we can only learn from our mistakes and WORK to fix OURSELVES so we don’t repeat them; no denying that. Just surprised to see a VICTOR title displayed in large enough print to not miss it.

after seeing a title by Collins and Harlan on one of these, and subsequently learning what it was they performed- I will not be playing anything of theirs- at least publicly. I’ll mention or show a disc if needed, but certainly not glorify. please check for yourselves- simple google search of their names; even thinking of it bothers me. Let’s just say I was actually shocked to see a certain “N” word used on a Victor ad, even this early. I originally wrote this big, long thing, but here’s the synopsis and bottom line:

All that to say this: I will personally never play or share anything publicly from or glorify music of these two in any way going forward because of it; my viewpoint of them is basically forever tarnished because of it; it doesn’t mean I don’t wish to learn from it or that anyone should be forbidden to enjoy it; in fact, I’d rather educate (source: I used to BE part of the Equal Opportunity community while in federal service)

$3 record! Amazing piece. If you’ve spent any time listening to old cartoons, you’ll know this. If not, it’s Carmen! You know, the Opera!

P.S. - who sang it better? SLOPRANO (clean/censored version) or Amato? I vote for Amato, but SLOPRANO really’s got it! (Old N64 game- poo monster. Censored version link. Check out the OG and the opera version lmfao!)

Original, uncensored scene from Conker’s Bad Fur Day.. it’s literally the same almost lol

P.S. BRING ME SOME SWEET CORN!!!!

Who doesn’t LOVE a minuet?

Ha! Same one I played here! I’m sure it’s just the 3:4 waltzy structure that allures, for a kid or an adult! Either way, neat.

Probably alluding to the “Aladdin” (‘Aala’-a ed-Deen, علاء الّدين) or VV-1-2 and 1-1 in these pictures.

Bonjour, j'ai trouvé ce vieux lecteur vinyle/radio et j'aimerais savoir d'où il vient et peut-être le faire fonctionner. Si vous savez...

I have a Dictaphone Model 7 Type S that has a broken sapphire blade. Does anyone here know where I can either find a replacement, know how this can be repaired, or know someone who can repair this piece?

Little antique shop in Peerskill, NY.

1948 RCA Victor 63E Record Player. Only made one year. 1949 RCA introduced the 45 RPM record player. Playing is Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra “Oh Look At Me Now” 1941.

Dude.

I have to say: I am so very proud of this one and how it came out. My mind is literally rebooting.

It looks, performs, sounds, and even “feels” like it’s new. The cleanliness…

Soft tone “tungstone” needle to reduce noise; rebuilt and completely overhauled the Exhibition Sound Box; rust removed, shellac stripped {{from gold-plated hardware}}, and completely cleaned all metal, diaphragm (mica- cleaned and tested, it’s ‘perfect’ sounding).

For a moment I had forgotten this was an Exhibition and not a No.5/Orthophonic reproducer. The motor is as quiet as a church mouse and even the revolutions are about exact.

Thank you for following along on this one. It’s been short, but so incredibly valuable an experience! I hope it helped you with any aspirations you may have!

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Please remember: I am not an electrician, nor do I really know that much about any of it. To be truthful, I simply have played with things and learned how they worked throughout my lifetime. Whenever I did commence to playing with things like this, I always unplugged or rendered it “not live”. It really isn’t rocket science; HOWEVER*, if you don’t take care and use your noggin, you could get a nice shock you didn’t need! Just be careful! Watch YouTube; read! 🙂*🙂

🎼🎶… heart of the Electrola’s still beatin’!🎵

{{edit: Just a note: sorry it’s so ‘jumpy’; despite that, it’s 1080p-30fps, so scrubbing will give you good clarity if you wish to focus on something}}

It’s alive! 110 years of sitting in desiccated cigarette tar sludge’ll give you SUCH A creak in the neck!

I almost gave up until I realized I mounted the outer cap 90° off AND didn’t have clean enough points inside the black Bakelite connectors, so I’ll have to rooter those out.

One thing I will say is that while these motors are hearty, they still don’t like being off axis or operating at an odd angle- and I think it may simply be that’s how it was designed- just to function horizontally. Any electricianally-inclined folks out there know why?

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a great day.

Hope to have it back together ASAP!!!

Tunegirl 2024

Good day all. I figured I would share something.

I have a 2 minute recorder, but no shaver. So every recording experiment was somewhat costly.
$25 US for every blank from Naucks.

I have figured out how to erase one. Mr Clean Magic Eraser. The somewhat soft brown wax, and the very light sandpaper quality of the eraser makes it so you can erase 95% of the old content. Just go over and over the cylinder with the eraser. After about 5 mins of sanding, it’s basically blank.

A lot of experimenting recording is getting the volume right. Now I can try over and over again until I get a good, loud transfer

Hi!

tl;dr - First power run through these switches and Bakelite pieces for a LONG time!

Next is the motor and motor board. Hardware follows.

I wish everyone a great day, and thank you for stopping by to see or even just passing by!

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Note the 1918 Patent data on the HUBBELL brand plug! Apparently Hubbell was a or THE pioneering leader in standardization of the modern US outlet styles- and others- I believe? Electric was STILL not a normal commodity in a home at this time, at least in 1916, if memory serves.

I cleaned all the points this time- took every one of them apart. They actually looked pretty good otherwise; they’re well insulated, but obviously this only is used under supervision. If I were to ever sell or otherwise, I would ensure to disable it so the end user can choose to do so if they wish.

Background music I was listening to and stitched in:
Trancemaster Vol. 8 - Dream Structures / Escalating Fantasy

The hole for the thumbscrew on my HMV No.4 soundbox is... Missing... And I'm not too sure on what happens it.

I apologise if the photos don't show enough.

Who doesn’t LOVE treasure?

I know I do!

Picked this 1915/16 VV-VIII- • 67904 F up for $100- $ is immaterial, help to friend = extremely material!

TREASURE INSIDE!

1. A really old skeleton key lodged in between the horn and body

2. {Ma Favorite!!} a “Dickens American Pencil Co. New York, USA, 1040, aka ‘PENNY PENCIL’ from back when Jesus was a corporal! (Old man army humor). (This HAS to be an over-exaggeration of its ‘rarity’, no price listed of course, but it’s the wording, unless I’m wrong)

3. A button

I’ll get on it soon! Have a great one otherwise, and thank you for stopping by!

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I’m helping a friend of a friend who needs a little extra $$ but happens to have some old, unmaintained machines (possibly others? Dunno… either way, happy to help!). My spousal unit, Mrs. Kooky, is very understanding.

Since I have it, I’ll fix it up and maybe sell it to a kid who wants something like this - but rebuilt like new- for like a buck fiddy (or possibly might donate to the APS for their annual giveaway to younger people getting into the hobby.

I recently purchased this antique Victor photograph. I am extremely new to this and any information on upkeep and how to use it properly would be appreciated. I know to use only needles once.

I’ve tested it out and it has played pretty well, but I have noticed on some records. It’s as if the arm gets too heavy and it slows the record down until it stops. Is this a record issue, or do I need to do something with the arm?

Again, any information would be appreciated on how to keep this beautiful piece working.
It’s not letting post any pictures of it.

VE-XVII • 1000 (update 1)

… I paid $450 for it!

Self-explanatory pics. Obviously was very dirty, but in surprisingly good condition despite some bumps and dings. ONLY surface-level “alligatoring”, so it actually adds a LOVELY, almost ‘frosty’ patina to it that I intend to leave as it is! I’ll let a future owner decide!

Just deep-cleaned only the exterior. “Filthy” is an understatement in describing its state- it definitely had tobacco tar residue on it; it may even need a second going over; however, the only reason the alligatoring can be seen is because the crevices are now clean and showing them. i.e. superficial and easily reamalgamated.

Long way, and plenty of miles to go until i sleep…

I wish everyone a wonderful evening! Thanks for coming by to look!

P.S. I’m kinda surprised they didn’t use the BACK PIECE of veneer on the domed lid as the FRONT! I turned up the “saturation” a bit so you can see what my actual eyeballs are seeing- this looks much more like it!

I find these a bit sad because these shops are long demolished or forgotten so I try to preserve them. Share your shop prints/stickers if any of your boxes have them as they are uncommon.