Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

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These are a list of answers to the questions we've commonly received from this website for the past 20+ years.

Simply click on the question below to be linked to a response.

HINT: If you read the GETTING STARTED Sections, the majority of these questions will be answered.

Respectfully: If you don't have sufficient time to read though the GETTING STARTED sections, please don't expect us to copy the answer off our website and send it back in response to a question.

For a little fun, have a look at our "Annoying Repetitive Questions" page for a review of the most common questions we receive.

Have an unusual question? Just email us at inquiries@victor-victrola.com.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RECORDS

• Can I play "vinyl" records on my Victor or Victrola?

• What kinds of records can I play on my Victrola?

• I have a lot of old 78 RPM records, what are they worth?

IDENTIFYING MY MACHINE

• What is the difference between a "Victor" and a "Victrola"?

• Aren't all old phonographs called Victrolas?

• What is an "RCA Victor" phonograph? Why don't you cover them on your website?

• I have an Edison (or Columbia or Pathe or Sonora, etc., etc.) Victrola. Do you have information on this machine?

• How can I tell if my Victor or Victrola is a fake?  How can I tell if it is original or restored?

• My Victor or Victrola is not covered on your website

DATE OF MANUFACTURE OR AGE OF MY PHONOGRAPH

• My Victrola has a "1904" or "1906" date on the plate. Is it really this old? What about those dates on the sticker?

• When was my machine made?

MACHINE REPAIRS

• Who can repair my Victor or Victrola?

• Can you provide me with instructions on how to fix my phonograph?

• I purchased a portable "Victrola" electric phonograph (to play my vinyl records) from Kohls, Amazon or another retailer. It isn't working correctly and they list this website for repair services. What should I do next?

MACHINE VALUE OR APPRAISALS

• I have a Victor or Victrola Model "XYZ" in great shape. Please tell me what it is worth.

• Pleeeze...can't you just shoot me a general ballpark valuation? I just need 2 seconds of your time!

• How can I determine the approximate condition and value of my phonograph (on my own)?

• I have an "Electrola" (VE) Victrola with electric motor. Is it more valuable than a standard spring-wind version?

OPERATING AN ANTIQUE PHONOGRAPH

• How do I get my Victor or Victrola to work correctly?

• What about needles? Which should I use? I found a bunch of them inside my Victrola

• How many turns of the crank should be made?

• How do I set the speed?

BUYING NEEDLES, PARTS and SUPPLIES

• Where can I buy new needles?

• Where can I buy parts for my machine?

TRANSPORTING MACHINES

• How can I safely move a Victrola?

RESTORATIONS

• Who can restore my Victor or Victrola? I want it it to look like new!

• Should I restore my Victor or Victrola, or should I leave it original?

• I want to restore my Victor or Victrola myself. What do you recommend?

TROUBLESHOOTING

• My Victor or Victrola won't crank (or the turntable won't turn). What would you suggest?

• The turntable spins, but the sound is terrible. What could be the problem?

BUYING OR SELLING PHONOGRAPHS

• Where should I sell my phonograph?

• I want to purchase a nice Victor or Victrola

ABOUT THE VICTOR-VICTROLA WEBSITE

• Why don't you respond to my email inquiries?

• You used to restore and sell phonographs.  What happened?

• What is the Victor-Victrola Survival Database? Why should I enter my machine into the database?