WTB: Old Victrola in working condition

madmax

I Know, what the hell is a Victrola. If you have one you probably know what it is. I'm willing to spend the cash on the right one.
Thanks!
madmax

steveinaz

disregard last transmission....

faster100

shipping from china, $350 :eek:

Spawndn72

That auction just screams of rip-off. $350 shipping and he only has 8 feedbacks

chenj16

wtf... the shipping is $350?? I have friends come from Shanghai from time to time. but I guess even within a luggage, it has to be very well packed..

steveinaz

oops, my bad. Didn't see that.

madmax

I'll pass on that one. From what I hear what I should be looking for is one with a big cabinent at the bottom, not a horn. Something like orthonic?? I really don't know much about them.

One thing I do know is that a few years ago there was one at an antique place. My first experience. The guy said "Would you like to hear it" after he saw me looking. In my mind I was thinking "why the hell would I care". Well, he put a record on it and I was imediately in a different place. After hearing a few songs I finally returned to reality. It is something you just have to experience to understand. I took a trip back to the '20's. And I enjoyed it a lot!!! I think something around $400 to $700 is reasonable for the right one. It really was an experience I would like to visit much more often! Thanks for looking for me!!!

madmax

RuSsMaN

Orthophonic. You are looking for a tube powered mono version, vs the exponential horn that is connected DIRECTLY to the needle. Think about that, the output of record PASSIVELY amplified through a horn, cool. No hifi, but cool.

Something to spin those 78's you picked up today eh?

masanz1

did a local craigslist search for one and here is what I turned up.

Victrola

some look nice. Maybe you can find one near you. I'll be more than happy to check out any of these

madmax

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Orthophonic. You are looking for a tube powered mono version, vs the exponential horn that is connected DIRECTLY to the needle. Think about that, the output of record PASSIVELY amplified through a horn, cool. No hifi, but cool.

Something to spin those 78's you picked up today eh?

I think I am wrong then. The one that really turned me on was wound up and had no electronics whatsoever. I think the Exponential horn within the cabinent is what I want.

Man, what an experience! I remember my mom telling me she was trying to get my attention and I just appeared to be totally out of it. I remember her asking "Are you OK?"

madmax

Skynut

I know what you are saying, I got the phonograph my Grandparents listened to before electricity.
It is an Edison model 250 in excellent or pretty damn good condition and came with around 50 10" records.
I had to buy a new stylis but that was only $150.00 which is nothing to spend to listen to the music they used to listen to.
I drift away to a simpler time and imagine them dancing in the parlor. (thats what they used to call the front room the phono was in).

I say go for it, it is real cool listening to the old **** recordings with all the pops and crackles that go with them.

One night the power was out here for a couple of hours and I just kept cranking the handle and changing discs.
Way cool.
GO FOR IT.

madmax

Yes,
A phonograph for my parlor is exactly what I'm looking for. Man, I still remember the feeling when I first heard one. I'm still beating myself for not picking it up at the time. If I get one I'll write a nice long review.

madmax

Skynut

Originally posted by madmax
Yes,
A phonograph for my parlor is exactly what I'm looking for. Man, I still remember the feeling when I first heard one. I'm still beating myself for not picking it up at the time. If I get one I'll write a nice long review.

madmax

Look into it for a while before you buy. As with all equipment some are better than others.
Mine came with a stylis from a victrola and the needles were steel and had to be changed after every 2 or 3 plays.
You could actually see the wear on the needle.
The records I have require the Edison Stylis which is a diamond stylis and is designed to fit the grove in his records.
I only have 1 record that is not an Edison and I played it enough to go through 2 or 3 needles before I got the right reproducer and stylis.

Unfortunatley with my new wife comes 2 young kids and I do not want this thing damaged so I am going to park it at my moms house for a few years. I will not be able to enjoy it till they are grown and hopefully out of the house.

RuSsMaN

You have a parlor?

Do you have a gift-wrapping room too?

F1nut

Chuck you're really starting to worry me.

madmax

Originally posted by F1nut
Chuck you're really starting to worry me.

I'm already wondering if you could use a separatly fed cabinent next to the original to develop an out of phase signal to create the SDA effect. Guess not. Not stereo...


No, I don't really have a parlor. I wish I did though.

Good comment on the research Skynut. I did some research a few years ago but was in the middle of trying to build up my 2 ch rig and didn't follow through. I do need to learn more. :mad:

madmax

Skynut

Thanks

It is well worth it when you are done.

BrentMcGhee

haha... man i have not thought about those things in along time.

I do happpen to have one though. It needs a new needle but other than that it is perfect condition. A few minor scratches on one side of the cabinet but hardly noticble. The legs could also use a good tightning too.

I could post some pics when i get home if you were interested.

Skynut

I would like to see.
I will put some of mine up when my g/f comes out with her camera, before it goes to moms.:(

madmax

I certainly would like to see pics!
madmax

madmax

Originally posted by madmax
I certainly would like to see pics!
madmax

Yes I would!

madmax

Skynut

I will try to get pics up in the next couple of weeks.
I am getting married on Sat and we will not be available for a week after but as soon as we get back I will use her camera and get pics right here.

warlocks1

Chuck, I have a friend who buys and refinishes them. I don't know if he stills has some. I know he does a beautiful job. He is local in No VA. Let me know if you want me to talk to him. I do know that they aren't cheap.

madmax

Yes, talk to him. I've been looking at one on ebay. I'll post the link. All fine things cost money, I realize that.
madmax

madmax

This is the one I've been considering. I'm guessing $700 to $1200. Obviously I would like to get one as cheaply as possible. This one just pulls my strings because it is Tiger Oak. My favorite!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38030&item=6538432997&rd=1

madmax

ND13

MM,

I just read that link on the Tiger Oak Victrola you're interested in, and it will only play records produced before 1926. He says it will ruin newer ones. Just a heads up. It is magnificent, though.

madmax

Originally posted by ND13
MM,

I just read that link on the Tiger Oak Victrola you're interested in, and it will only play records produced before 1926. He says it will ruin newer ones. Just a heads up. It is magnificent, though.

Thanks! The era I'm interested in is 1912 to 1926. Man, if only you get a chance to hear some of the early 20's music on one of these. I also like big band music but I'll stick to my lowly standard turntable for that. The 20's was a simpler time and although I'm not too knowledgeable about the material I have heard some of it and seriously, it will take you to another place and time. It is not true to life sound whatsoever. It is a true to life 20's sound though. Good heads up though!
Thanks,
madmax

BTW, As I told my boss at work about what I was looking at an engineer who sits across from him came walking up. Lets see if I can get this right. A friend of his who used to work with him, the friends dad, was the one who came up with the idea of going from the rolls to a flat disk. He is the one who sold Victor the rights to the flat disk. It was actually his friends dad who owned the dog which was used in the original ads. "The dog who hears his masters voice". Is that cool or what!!!

madmax

ND13

Originally posted by madmax
Thanks! The era I'm interested in is 1912 to 1926. Man, if only you get a chance to hear some of the early 20's music on one of these. I also like big band music but I'll stick to my lowly standard turntable for that. The 20's was a simpler time and although I'm not too knowledgeable about the material I have heard some of it and seriously, it will take you to another place and time. It is not true to life sound whatsoever. It is a true to life 20's sound though. Good heads up though!
Thanks,
madmax

BTW, As I told my boss at work about what I was looking at an engineer who sits across from him came walking up. Lets see if I can get this right. A friend of his who used to work with him, the friends dad, was the one who came up with the idea of going from the rolls to a flat disk. He is the one who sold Victor the rights to the flat disk. It was actually his friends dad who owned the dog which was used in the original ads. "The dog who hears his masters voice". Is that cool or what!!!

Very cool!!

madmax

Let's try that again, Very cool!!

madmax

In the past I've looked at a lot of these. Most are pretty pathetic looking and still run $400 to $700. If this one goes for less than twice that I will probably get it. I have little interest in trying to restore one myself. I'll leave that to the professionals. I saw one that is going cheaper but the drive to get is is aweful. I figure it has been years that I've wanted one so why not go for it.
madmax

ND13

Treat yourself..

tryrrthg

Originally posted by madmax
This is the one I've been considering. I'm guessing $700 to $1200. Obviously I would like to get one as cheaply as possible. This one just pulls my strings because it is Tiger Oak. My favorite!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=38030&item=6538432997&rd=1

madmax

Wow that thing is beautiful!!!

Is Tiger Oak just another name for quartersawn oak? Because I've never heard it called tiger oak before... I love that stuff!