A Quick Rebuild of a Victor Exhibition Reproducer from a VV-XI from 1915

Here is a quick rebuild of a Victor Exhibition Reproducer that I pulled off a Victrola VV-XI that I recently picked up. Is it a terribly valuable machine? No, but it's the nicest one I've seen and came with a great collection of records. All from the same collection handed down over generations. It even looks like it had been serviced in its past as the motor doesn't thump and some of the gasket material in the reproducer was still somewhat soft.

One thing I did not show (but went back and re-did) was apply a little bit of synthetic grease to the back of the rubber flange just to seal out any air leaks. My apologies for skipping that part! And as a viewer points out, it may be best to put the seam of the inner gasket at the top of the reproducer so that the two seams won't line up with each other.

I did not remove the needle bar or springs as they remained perfectly aligned with no pressure from the diaphragm screw. Even the mica looked brand new. If I were to guess, this has been serviced within the last 20-30 years.

The record playing in the background is "Who'll Take My Place (When I'm Gone)" by the Club Royal Orchestra under the direction of Clyde Doerr on Victor record 18919 recorded and released in 1922.