Very New to Hobby (and these boards) - Purchase Question

Hi all. I'm very new to the hobby, having come from the tube/turntable world; but I am completely enamored with all things phonograph and I am in the market for a starter phonograph. Currently eyeing a Victor IX that's a bit dusty with some scratching to the wood - but nothing too bad, plus he's asking $250 for it; only probelm is there is about a 3 inch by 2 inch wood insert to the side of the unit that has been glued in to cover up a hole or "rip" in the veneer. Would something like this affect the value of the unit? My guess is "yes", but significantly? Also does refinishing a unit affect the value of a unit in the long run?

Lastly - and this one is pretty rememdial - can you play 12 inch records on a unit with a 10 inch platter?

Thanks, in advance, for the help and I look forward to all things phonograph (hopefully sooner rather than later).

Chris,
Welcome !
As to your questions, I'll leave all but the last one to someone who is much more qualified then I --as I know nothing about this subject--but I would guess that if the 12" record would fit on the TT, without touching anything else, and the needle can be placed at the starting grooves of the record, it should play--- Ron Rich

Thanks, Rich! Specifically, I'm wondering if the Victor VIII (w/ 10 inch platter) will play 12 inch records?

Hi Chris:

The Victor VV-IX (see: http://www.victor-victrola.com/IX.htm) is a very common model and pristine examples normally sell in the $250-$300 range, so I'd say that if it has a plugged hole in the side, that would definitely diminish its value. I'm wondering if that was done to plug a redundant winding hole--a sure sign that the motor may have been replaced. I'd recommend that you hold out for a better example in that price range, or get the seller to come down somewhat.

As for your other question, you can play either 10 or 12 inch records on a Victrola equipped with a ten inch turntable. For the VV-VIII, there should be about 3/4 to one-inch clearance between the edge of the record and sides of the cabinet.

HTH,
Ortho_Fan

Thanks H.

What is the general concensus regarding the VIII? I know it was a pretty common model and it is not that rare, but would it make a good first gramaphone? As far as reliability is it something that will last and at the very least be enjoyable or is there a model in the $200-300 range that is a better bet? I'm thinking the IX probably is, but the nicer ones seem to be fewer and farther between and I'm not sure I'm even going to get something "nice" at that price - based on what I am seeing.