From: weissborn@JAS.DALLAS.GEOQUEST.SLB.COM
Subject: VICTORLA QUESTIONS
Reply-To: weissborn@dfwdsr.sinet.slb.com
Organization: Schlumberger Data Services - Dallas
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 20:52:24 GMT

Sorry to send this to the world but I tried sending directly and it keeps
bouncing back to me.  Anyway, somebody may also find this interesting.


Gary,

Hello!  Got your msg about your Victrola.  Sorry, but I am
not familiar with your model.  I can try and "ballpark it"
for you, however.  If it is a floor model, ie, in a large cabinet that stands on
the floor, it can be worth(in fully restored condition) anywhere from $250-$400. 
That is retail pricing, selling to an antique dealer you can figure roughly half
of those prices.

If it is a table-top model, ie, must be placed on a table to see/hear/operate,
then the price will be anywhere from $200-$1000. 

What determines the price?  Well, glad you asked.  In no particular order

1) Demand--Are Victrolas easy to come by in your area?  In the Northeast/New
England area, they are very easy to find.  In the Southwest, not so easy as this
area wasn't as affluent during the time the players were popular.

2) Condition--Original parts and/or finish in "museum quality" definitely will
make the price go up IF the person looking to buy appreciates and/or recognizes
that fact.

3) Style.  Some cabinets were really plain, others minor works of art.  Type of
wood makes a difference to.  Quarter-Sawn Oak ("Tiger Oak") seems to sell real
well whereas Walnut or Mahogany are not currently trendy.

4) Unusuall qualities.  Did the manufacturer build it as an "anniversary"
edition, special-issue, etc.  

5) Play-ability.  I have heard two identical machines play side-by-side and one
will sound ok, and the other just beautiful--beats me as to why.

6) Going price in your area.  My wife and I have had very good luck in selling
the players that we have acquired over the years.  Other antique dealers
couldn't give theirs away.  (Of course, we basically rebuild 'em, ie, new
springs, gaskets, clean finish and/or refinish, polish all the brass or
chrome,etc.)

Sorry, but I don't have any addresses for parts places with me (I'm at work now)
but will look them up and send you another msg tonight or tomorrow.  Do you need
to replace the main-springs?  If so, I would urge EXTREME caution in doing it
yourself.  Those monsters are about 1 1/2" wide, about 25ft long and faster than
a cobra and, once you start winding them into the spring-barrell, strong as an
elephant.  They could cause severe injury if they got away from you.  Don't get
me wrong here, it is possible to do it yourself(with possibly a helper to spoon
in the vaseline/graphite mixture) but you have to have very strong
hands/forearms to keep them from slicing and dicing.

BTW, it sounds like you are about to refinish the cabinet.  If the finish is
original, ie, hasn't been refinished, I might be able to save you a lot of
trouble.  The primary top-finish during that time period was Shellac.  It is
dissolveable(sp?) by alcohol.  To test, get a q-tip and some denatured alcohol. 
Wet the q-tip with the alcohol and swab a small area.  If the finish desolves or
softens, then you have Shellac.  If so, get some more denatured alcohol, some
medium steelwool(those new 3m nylon "steelwool" refinishing pads work well) and
a very well ventilated work area.  Soak the pads in the alcohol and start wiping
down the cabinet.  Use a little elbow-grease but not so much that you scratch
the stain off the wood.  This is a lot easier than using the various paint
removers on the market and cheaper.  A word of caution, 'tho.  Be sure to have
plenty of ventilation or you will end up drunk as a skunk from breathing the
fumes and will have a "hangover" later.  Of course, no open flames either.

To refinish, you can use Shellac-if you want to be authentic, tung-oil, poly, or
whatever you like.  If you use Shellac, use a good brush, not the 5 for $1.00,
and thin the first few coats 50/50 with alcohol.  Shellac can be a little tricky
to apply and not get brush strokes so you might want to practice on some scrap
wood first.

Good luck and enjoy.

Bill W.