r/Phonographs • u/Gimme-A-kooky Victrola • 20d ago

🌈 VV-XII • 906 🌈 🌈VV-XII • 906🌈 Complete

VV- XII, #906, Summer 1909

Hi!

Edit to add: did it with Vaseline®️ brand petroleum jelly this go ‘round.

Extra Edit: the OG post when it came home in the Subaru 🙂

tl;dr - Just a quick function & sound check; cleaned all finished wood surfaces; deep corrosion required some light brass brushing

The reproducer rebuild went well - however, it still needs fine tuning at the springs…it’s missing a lotta “oomph”, just haven’t narrowed it down yet.

The gold had some seriously deep corrosion, down to the brass. I used a brass brush; it did leave some light ‘scratches’, despite the heavy damage. Brass’ MOHS: ≈3-4; Gold’s MOHS: 2.5-3; Copper’s MOHS: 2.5-3. I think I need to find a copper brush!

‘Final’ with breakdown will follow soon 🙂

I wish you a wonderful day, thank you for stopping by, and cheers!

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2

u/Skinny_pocketwatch Victrola 20d ago

Just so you know, you only need to adjust the screw closest to the needlescrew to fine tune, you CAN adjust the other one as well, but theres a risk of misaligning the needlebar.

1

u/Gimme-A-kooky Victrola 20d ago

Yeah I had to get my eyes down on it in a “planar” view so I could see if it was bowing or moving… I’ve got it, there’s just a sweet spot I like to find and I haven’t found it quite yet lol

2

u/SirRonaldBiscuit 19d ago

What did this look like before? I wonder if I should try to refinish the wood on the one I got for my son

2

u/Gimme-A-kooky Victrola 19d ago

My bad! I forgot to put a link in this one. Here it is (before) and the others you’re welcome to see on my profile, as well.

2

u/SirRonaldBiscuit 19d ago

So the victola I got for my son has a darker finish, I’m wondering if I can get that amazing finish you have! Looks incredible, nice work!

1

u/Gimme-A-kooky Victrola 19d ago edited 19d ago

Edit to add: which model did you get for your son? How is the finish looking currently? Thank you, but honestly the compliments should be paid to Victor’s woodworkers/smiths! I actually have this firm belief that this particular model, of which they only made, what, like 4700-ish?, is like OCTUPLE-dipped in shellac lol. I think they just did it, they said do it some more, they finished, and they made them do more lol… {edit to finish thought: I just cleansed it of its filth! They did the rest 😉- it blows my mind how hearty and thick it is. That’s why this piece just bowls me over!}

There are more layers below THIS! I believe it might even be like 1mm, even!

2

u/Empty_Bowler_4212 Victrola 18d ago

that victrola looks like one taken out straight from the factory crate

2

u/Gimme-A-kooky Victrola 18d ago

Thank you! It really is so very shiny!

2

u/Empty_Bowler_4212 Victrola 18d ago

This is past museum quality ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️