I wouldn't worry about playing them on modern equipment. They were talking about steel needles. The original phonogrpahs played with very heavy tonearms, and with a steel needle that really should be changed after every play. This is completely unlike modern equipment.
Based on what you've said, I think you should give serious consideration to joining ARSCLIST: http://www.arsc-audio.org/ When it come to vintage phonographs, you won't find a better group of people than what belong to this list. Is there any vintage equipment associated with the collection? Would love to hear more about the collection! All the best, Tyrone Settlemier Online Discographical Project http://settlet.fateback.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Atkins" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 5:08 PM Subject: [Phono-L] A New Collector >I have become the guardian of what would seem to be a rare collection of >'78s. If the information is acurate, these discs were part of a collection >owned by a newspaper columnist in the mid-west, who reviewed these >recordings as they were published. The current owner of this collection >also has the Victrola on which they were first heard. Some are 12" discs, >some are 7", many are single sided, which leads me to believe they may have >been demos issued to review or broadcast before distribution. Some of the >patent dates are before the turn of the century. > > I'm still in the initial documentation stage. What little research I have > done has stressed caution when attempting to actually play these > recordings. So, I'm refraining from allowing them near the turntable > without some further advice. I have learned that the 78 rpm speed is only > the beginning. The consumer phono I own, no doubt, is without the > specialized needle required to preserve the surface and dignity of these > grand old performances. > In fact, some of the labels warn of damage if played more than once on a > single needle. > > Eventually, I'll want to rent, borrow or obtain a device deemed safe to > transfer these recordings. I live in the Portland, Oregon area (USA) if > you have any suggestions. > > Thank you > > Steve > _______________________________________________ > Phono-L mailing list > [email protected] > > Phono-L Archive > http://phono-l.oldcrank.org/archive/ > > Support Phono-L > http://www.cafepress.com/oldcrank
