Most of the newly-cut 78s are cut with a conventional LP recording
stylus with a sharp V-tip and are intended to be played with a microgroove
stylus. If you don't hear from the seller otherwise, I would assume that
this record would be like this. If you are using a modern phono cartridge
capable of tracking at 5 grams or less, there isn't much to worry about if
you use the wrong stylus. Depending on the groove width the sound could
vary. A wide groove (typical older 78s had groove widths of around 5 to 6
mils) with a sharp V at the bottom will play properly with either a typical
0.7 mil (or an elliptical) stereo stylus or with a 3.0 mil stylus. A
typical LP sized groove (less than 3 mils wide) will play properly with an
LP stylus. Using a 3 mil stylus on a narrow groove probably will play OK
but you might hear some distortion or even groove skipping on loud passages.
If this is the case, you should use the LP stylus. If the bottom of the
groove is rounded rather than having a sharp V shape, the record is intended
to be played with a bigger 78 stylus. Using a small LP stylus on such a
record will result in distortion. As I said, I would doubt that any new 78s
are cut with such a groove shape. But you shouldn't be inflicting any
damage on the record with either an LP or a 78 stylus so long as the
tracking force is low. So use the type of stylus that sounds the best.
Greg Bogantz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Matthew Bullis" <[email protected]>
To: "Antique Phonograph List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2013 7:44 PM
Subject: [Phono-L] newly-pressed 78 in latest Woody Guthrie box set.
Based on the info in this article, there's a 78 made for this box set of
Woody Guthrie material. I have an e-mail into the Woody Guthrie
organization, asking them if the disc is to be played with a needle made
for 78s, or one made for 33s, since it could be either case. I don't want
to use the wrong stylus. The disc includes a song from the box set, and a
1961 Dylan recording of one of the VD songs Wooddy sang. The press release
from Rounder is here:
http://www.rounder.com/2013/08/news/definitive-woody-guthrie-collection-american-radical-patriot-coming-from-rounder-records-on-october-22
I eagerly await my set, being shipped to me, but I'll not use the 78 disc
until I know for sure.
Matthew
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