Fancy case Victor type D I got for $60

Some months ago, the father of one of my friends called me at school to tell me that there was a phonograph at a local rummage sale. I had him describe it to me and then asked the price. He said it was going for $50 but if I would pay $60, they would hold it for me. It sounded real so I rushed back home after classes were out and found a nearly complete early Type D. It even has a dealers celluloid tag on the fron instead of an ID tag (which was put on the inside of the case). It was missing the back bracket, tone arm, and came with a mismatched crank. One of the supports (or feet) on the bullet brake broke off, the horn elbow is splitting (but I'm sure that can be repaired), and the horn has been painted red for some time now.
At this point, all I need to do is get a few more screws and such, paint and decal the back braket I got, rebuild the preproducer, get the horn and elbow sorted out, and regrease the springs and it will be good as new. The finish was in great shape and was only covered in dust.

Congratulations!

I think, in the life of every collector, a true bargain comes (his/her) way. For me, it was a Vic. V (follow-on to the D) which I got for free from someone who's former" boyfriend had thrown it against the wall, breaking the case and damaging the motor. It took a couple hundred bucks to get it restored and running again, but that was about 1/10 the cost of what a Victor V was going for at the time.

Your Vic. D is in FAR better condition than mine was or is. These are fantastic performers, once you get the sound box rebuilt, and they have the advantage of allowing you to use many of the different model sound boxes Victor produced -- the Concert, Exhibition, #2 and #4.

A good condition, rebuilt #4 sound box will allow you to play the early electrically recorded records with enhanced fidelity, while the #2 is especially good for playing the snappier foxtrots of the early to mid-1920s.

JDS

Believe you me, I got some reproducers to try on this thing. Obviously, I have the Exhibition (with early round hole), but I also have a No.2 that is on my vv-240, an HMV No.4, a Juwel Electro soundbox (Basically a larger no.4), and a Gouldring Equitone with metal diaphragm. I do look forward to hearing it play. I really do lookforward to the Electro too (I have yet to rebuild it). I hear that they out preform the no.4 in most ways and are loud too.

Question: I know that these early motors run louder than the later ones with a worm drive, but is there a simple lubricant that can tone it dowm a bit? The first time I wound it up, it sounded like the motor was about to self-destruct!

Imperial-Guardsman wrote:Question: I know that these early motors run louder than the later ones with a worm drive, but is there a simple lubricant that can tone it dowm a bit? The first time I wound it up, it sounded like the motor was about to self-destruct!

The D models I've heard all had relatively loud motors, compared to the Vic. Vs and others with the redesigned motor gears. I understand that the D's large flat disc gear, with it's angled teeth, is to blame. As long as there are no bumping noises, indicating that the springs need servicing, or clanking sounds--normally made by the governor balls hitting something, it should be okay.

You can try experimenting with different greases. For both my Vic. V and my VV-4-40, I use "Sta-Lube" Disc Brake Bearing Grease -- http://www.amazon.com/CRC-SL3161-Temper ... B000CPJN06 It has done a great job of quieting the motor noises. When I first got it, it sounded like a tractor. Now, it sounds like a tractor with a large pillow on it.

Instead of oil, for the governor friction leather, and lighter gears such as the winding ratchet, I use transmission fluid. (Unorthodox, but it works well and never evaporates or degrades.)

I don't know if felt or rubber washers were used to isolate the motor from the cabinet, but you might also check them. If rubber, they're probably hard as rock and should be replaced. If felt, perhaps another layer would help, as long as it doesn't lower the motor too much, which would cause problems with the crank's alignment, etc. If no washers are present, you might try positioning a thin layer of felt between the motor plate and the wood, which will dampen vibrations somewhat.

JDS

Thanks for the advice. I'll take a peek at the possibility of felt washers when I decide to finish it up in the summer (when I actaully make money). Transmission fluid sounds like a good idea too. I also thought about putting some packing foam in the bottom of the case to absorb some of the sound.