DESCRIPTION:
Victor's 7-26 was a fairly popular radio/phonograph combination, introduced late in 1928 but discontinued already half a year later. It comes in a wonderful walnut wall type cabinet in English style with turned legs, ornate speaker grille and doors banded in black. The set combines Victor's Electrola, used also in other 1920's models, with RCA's Radiola 18 receiver and a permanent magnet speaker also developed by RCA. Centerpiece is the phonograph compartment with its concealed lamp and two record storage compartments on either side. The 4 albums bound in colored buckram with gold stampings are specific for this model, and have been expertly replicated by eBay seller ampico66. The Radiola 18 is one of the first all electric radios. Its escutcheon says it has been supplied by RCA to Victor. It is in mint condition with all 7 tubes lastly serviced and tested on Sept. 20th, 1934 by a company that today is Translink. The permanent magnet speaker used is the same model 100A as sold together with RCA's own Radiola 18, supplemented by a short metal horn. The Electrola was used in a number of late 1920's Victor sets including the 1929 RE-45 console and has Victor's brushless induction disc motor and an automatic brake, that relies on a records last groove to be eccentric. The tonearm is made from the same parts as used for an acoustic orthophonic machine, the head however hosting a horseshoe magnet electric pickup. These pickups need all to be rebuilt, and most of them need a new coil as well. I made a new low impedance coil by winding about 1000 turns of gauge 40 wire around a tiny 12x10x3 mm spool by hand, that after proper adjustment gave quite good amplification. The radio is restored and plays AM broadcast, an mp3 player, and a record by Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls Of Fire". The set is for sale at radio-antiks.com (http://www.radio-antiks.com/IndexRadio-Antiks_Victrola_VE7-26X.htm).