VV 4-3 / Consolette / VE 4-3 X
The
Consolette (later referred to as the 4-3) was one of four premiere
Orthophonic models that were introduced in the late fall of 1925. This new line
of machines
provided far better sound-quality than any of the earlier Victrola models, with
superior frequency response, higher volume, and a far less "canned" sound
quality than was experienced with the previous generation of acoustic
phonographs. For a description of the Orthophonic machine concepts, please refer
to the page: Basics of
the Acoustic Phonograph.
The Consolette was positioned as the lowest-priced
Orthophonic model, selling for $85.00, which equates to about $1,600.00 in
today's money. Early-production Consolette models (picture on left) used a small
non-folded semi-exponential horn, and did not have a cover over the horn
opening. It also used a basic single-spring motor which must be wound after each
record is played.
While
it sounded great compared to the Victrolas of the past, it may not have
initially sold as well as expected. When sitting on the dealer's floor, it was
likely positioned close to the Credenza, which was the flagship of Victor's product line, and probably
looked and sounded somewhat anemic in comparison. In addition, the low-cost
Orthophonic models may have suffered from the perception of being cheaply made
when put up against some of the newly-introduced competing phonographs that were
available in the same price range. The Consolette's underpowered motor, small
10" turntable, and the gaping open horn cavity that faced listeners could certainly give buyers the perception that the
low-cost Victrolas were of substandard quality. This is especially true when the
ornate cabinets and powerful motors of the previous generation of Victrolas,
which in late 1925 were still available from any dealer at half-price,
were considered as a more economical choice.
Listen to a direct comparison of the Credenza vs. the early Consolette. Microphones were placed 6 feet in front of the horns, playing the same record and using the same soundbox in the same room. No gain or equalization adjustments have been made.
In late December 1925, a grille cloth
was added to cover the Consolette's horn opening, the turntable size was
increased to a full 12", and a vastly improved double-spring motor
was added to enhance its appearance and performance (these same
improvements were also made to the Colony model).
The retail price was increased by $10.00. However, for unknown reasons,
these updates were rolled-out inconsistently at the Camden plant; therefore it
is common to find Consolette models with serial numbers as high as 40000 with
only some (or none) of the aforementioned upgrades being included. It is quite
possible that the factory pulled-back those Consolette machines, which were still
in inventory and waiting to be shipped, for a "retrofitted upgrade"; however, machines
which had already been delivered to dealers or wholesalers would have retained the earlier
(non-upgraded) design features. Based on information from surviving examples,
this appears to be the most likely scenario.
By the spring of 1926, the Consolette name was changed to the VV 4-3; with its powerful and quiet
2-spring motor and an improved overall appearance, sales of the 4-3 began to
improve.
In the summer of 1927, the 4-3 underwent a total design change to feature a
larger cabinet with a modern, high-quality appearance (picture on right). Sales
skyrocketed in 1927 and 1928, making the 4-3 one of Victor's most popular models
ever produced. The 4-3 was gradually discontinued from production in early 1929
when low-cost electronically-amplified phonographs became commonly available.
The 4-3 was also available with an electric motor option (VE 4-3) for
$35.00 extra, bringing the total cost to $135.00. Production for these
electrically-powered models began on a low-volume basis in the spring of 1926,
but it was never a big seller. Serial numbers of surviving examples
indicate that at least 8,000 were made.
The Consolette / VV 4-3 was available only in a blended-stain mahogany finish
and bright nickel-plated hardware was provided. A
total of 242,000 Victrola 4-3 (spring and electric) machines were produced.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The "Consolette" model was originally designed and produced in the spring of 1925 using standard Victrola components, months before the Orthophonic machines were introduced later in the year. These machines were identified as "Consolette" on their ID tags, serialized as usual, but were then placed 'on-hold' for shipment from the plant due to the total collapse of phonograph sales during that timeframe. These pre-Orthophonic machines were later sent to Latin America as 'export' models, since they were already obsolete for the US market when they came off the production line. So it is probable that early "Consolette" machines (with serial numbers less than 5000) will have been produced with duplicate serial numbers; one production run using pre-Orthophonic components and a second run with full Orthophonic parts. Versions intended for Latin America will have 'slats' in the horn opening, and will use the older style Victrola No. 2 Soundbox. See the VV 4-1 page for more information. It is interesting to note that while the high-end "Credenza" model utilized a highly-engineered exponential horn design, the Consolette (and Colony) models simply force-fit a smooth horn into the already-designed Consolette cabinet. So there are little, if any, exponential horn design considerations included in these low-priced models. The acoustic benefits (as compared to older Victrola models) are simply due to the use of the new Orthophonic soundbox and electrically-recorded records.
| Manufacture Date | Serial Number Range | Feature Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1925 | 501-30000 | No grille cloth over horn. 10" turntable, single-spring motor. See note above regarding inconsistent production builds during late 1925 and early 1926. |
| 1926 | 30000-65500 | Name changed to "4-3" and turntable enlarged to 12" in the Spring of 1926. Auto brake added at s/n 39501. |
| 1927 | 65500-156500 | Cabinet design modernized at s/n 91000 |
| 1928 | 156500-223000 | |
| 1929 | 223000-234824 | Higher serial numbers have been reported |
| VE 4-3 Electric | ||
| 1926 | 501-4300 | All VE 4-3's have a horn cover cloth |
| 1927 | 4300-6600 | Cabinet design modernized at s/n 6401 |
| 1928 | 6600-7750 | |
| 1929 | 7750-7929 | Higher serial numbers have been reported |
The current survival database shows the earliest existent Consolette (4-3) to be S/N 932 and the latest to be S/N 238070.
The earliest existent electric (VE) 4-3 is S/N 740 and the latest is S/N 8601.
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