I'm not much of a radio person but I did rebuild this old record player. Saw your site and thought you might be able to tell me what an old 78 record should sound like. I got the new cartridge from the needle doctor and he says its for 78 records. I only have one 78 and it sounds kind of twangy and scratchy. Hope that makes sense. Its an old Airline mono record player. 1950. Is this what a 78 should sound like?
Rich

Don't know what year or condition your one record is in.
But it should sound a lot better than you are saying.
78 RPM records changed in the way they were made. From early steel needle type, to later cut groves. Try a thrift store, get a few " newer " 78's and try again.

Rich: The early records were acoustic recordings and the sound quality is not so good. Later records (from about 1930 or newer) are electronic recordings and sound much better. Mark from Kalamazoo

:Rich: The early records were acoustic recordings and the sound quality is not so good. Later records (from about 1930 or newer) are electronic recordings and sound much better. Mark from Kalamazoo
:
Oh man, you are taxing my old memory here. 78 RPM used a different size stylus, and when stereo came out, the needle size changed again. As to the sound of a 78, I just have to say pretty bad. A lot of hiss and scratches. If you can find a RCA recording named "High Fidelity..What's it all about." or something from about 1955, you will get an idea of what going from 78 to 33.3 did to the to the ear of the listener.

Lewis

::Rich: The early records were acoustic recordings and the sound quality is not so good. Later records (from about 1930 or newer) are electronic recordings and sound much better. Mark from Kalamazoo
::
:
:
:Oh man, you are taxing my old memory here. 78 RPM used a different size stylus, and when stereo came out, the needle size changed again. As to the sound of a 78, I just have to say pretty bad. A lot of hiss and scratches. If you can find a RCA recording named "High Fidelity..What's it all about." or something from about 1955, you will get an idea of what going from 78 to 33.3 did to the to the ear of the listener.
:
:Lewis
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:
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:This record doesn't have a date on it but the label is OKeh Records. The performer is "Cab Calloway and his Orchestra". Other names on it are "Mercer", "Arlen" and "Harding". Seems like I've heard of Cab Calloway but I don't know when he was popular, if he ever was.
Rich

Cab Calloway was very popular for his jazz style. He was in the " Blues Brothers " Movie, the black guy with the dark sun glasses sang Hi-De-Hi-De-Ho. The record you have was probably made in the late 30's early 40's.

HiDeHiDeHiDeHo sounds like 'Minnie the Moocher'. (See youtube for an early Betty Boop cartoon with this Cab Calloway song. Very spooky and good for Halloween).
They had different thickness styli for different sounds and groove cuts. Some did better at spoken word than music. Raspiness/shrill/harsh sound can be due to loose tonearm components. Tonearm head caster/camber angles are also important. If the tonearm pivots are worn, the needle won't sit right in the groove and cause distortion.

: HiDeHiDeHiDeHo sounds like 'Minnie the Moocher'. (See youtube for an early Betty Boop cartoon with this Cab Calloway song. Very spooky and good for Halloween).
: They had different thickness styli for different sounds and groove cuts. Some did better at spoken word than music. Raspiness/shrill/harsh sound can be due to loose tonearm components. Tonearm head caster/camber angles are also important. If the tonearm pivots are worn, the needle won't sit right in the groove and cause distortion.
:
In the twenties and thirties, in Manhattan, the thing to do after dinner was to go up to Harlem and listen to the jazz in the night clubs. Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Clalloway, et al. The subway train from lower Manhattan was the "A" train, made popular by Duke Ellington's "Take the A train." Which meant "come up to Harlem". Ah, thee things you learn working for a radio station.
Lewis

:I'm not much of a radio person but I did rebuild this old record player. Saw your site and thought you might be able to tell me what an old 78 record should sound like. I got the new cartridge from the needle doctor and he says its for 78 records. I only have one 78 and it sounds kind of twangy and scratchy. Hope that makes sense. Its an old Airline mono record player. 1950. Is this what a 78 should sound like?
:Rich
:
:
:
;Hi! Rich,
I have been able to greatly improve the volume and quality of sound of an old 78 rpm record by washing it .I use dish soap and water and a soft tooth brush.Use water that is just slightly warm. I put the record on a sturdy flat surface to keep from cracking it. Use liberal amounts of soap, with the water, as that is what helps float the particles away.Brush back and forth following the circular grooves in the record all the way around.Rinse under faucet until all suds are flushed away.Place record on dish towel to absorb water then air dry.
: Bob Masse
:
:

Bob,
I use a similar technique except use distilled water as a rinse, and a paint pad vs toothbrush. The paint pad has very fine short bristles, which actually get down into the grooves. After draining on a towel, then blow dry (no hair dryers/heat) No solvents of any kind INCLUDING alcohol should be used.

marv

::I'm not much of a radio person but I did rebuild this old record player. Saw your site and thought you might be able to tell me what an old 78 record should sound like. I got the new cartridge from the needle doctor and he says its for 78 records. I only have one 78 and it sounds kind of twangy and scratchy. Hope that makes sense. Its an old Airline mono record player. 1950. Is this what a 78 should sound like?
::Rich
::
::
::
:;Hi! Rich,
: I have been able to greatly improve the volume and quality of sound of an old 78 rpm record by washing it .I use dish soap and water and a soft tooth brush.Use water that is just slightly warm. I put the record on a sturdy flat surface to keep from cracking it. Use liberal amounts of soap, with the water, as that is what helps float the particles away.Brush back and forth following the circular grooves in the record all the way around.Rinse under faucet until all suds are flushed away.Place record on dish towel to absorb water then air dry.
:: Bob Masse
::
::
:

Don't know if this is a historical fact, but was told that Henry Ford took old 78 Pluto platters (Thick Record) and would crush them. Then put them in acetone, made a paint for model A steering wheels.

:Bob,
:I use a similar technique except use distilled water as a rinse, and a paint pad vs toothbrush. The paint pad has very fine short bristles, which actually get down into the grooves. After draining on a towel, then blow dry (no hair dryers/heat) No solvents of any kind INCLUDING alcohol should be used.
:
:marv
:
:
:Hi! Marv,
The paint pad is an excellent idea.I'll add that to my cleaning arsenal. Thanks for the tip.
:Bob Masse
:
:

Bob,
In addition, wondering if a quality spray bottle that puts out a powerful mist vs flooding with a faucet would be better at dislodging dirt and grime embedded in the grooves. Haven't tried it, and don't know of any way to prove it. Just a thought.

marv

::Bob,
::I use a similar technique except use distilled water as a rinse, and a paint pad vs toothbrush. The paint pad has very fine short bristles, which actually get down into the grooves. After draining on a towel, then blow dry (no hair dryers/heat) No solvents of any kind INCLUDING alcohol should be used.
::
::marv
::
::
::Hi! Marv,
:The paint pad is an excellent idea.I'll add that to my cleaning arsenal. Thanks for the tip.
::Bob Masse
::
::
:

:Bob,
:In addition, wondering if a quality spray bottle that puts out a powerful mist vs flooding with a faucet would be better at dislodging dirt and grime embedded in the grooves. Haven't tried it, and don't know of any way to prove it. Just a thought.
:
:marv
:
:
:
:Hi! Marv,
If you google (DIY record cleaner) it will take you to links for record cleaners. The ones that are commercially available are quite pricey but one guy built his own for under $50. Apparently the best way to dry a record ,after a rinse, is to vacuum the record.I would recommend the vacuum attachment with a strip of fine bristles across the top.I plan on building one for myself as soon as I get my ambition up for it.
: Bob Masse
:
:

Vacuum? Now thats a new twist. Interesting.

marv

::Bob,
::In addition, wondering if a quality spray bottle that puts out a powerful mist vs flooding with a faucet would be better at dislodging dirt and grime embedded in the grooves. Haven't tried it, and don't know of any way to prove it. Just a thought.
::
::marv
::
::
::
::Hi! Marv,
:If you google (DIY record cleaner) it will take you to links for record cleaners. The ones that are commercially available are quite pricey but one guy built his own for under $50. Apparently the best way to dry a record ,after a rinse, is to vacuum the record.I would recommend the vacuum attachment with a strip of fine bristles across the top.I plan on building one for myself as soon as I get my ambition up for it.
:: Bob Masse
::
::
:

I wish that I could post videos of my phonograph playing records. The sound it puts out is thrilling and amazing. 78s sound spectacular if in good condition and if the right needle and cartridge are used. I love playing Benny Goodman/Peggy Lee's 'Somebody Else Is Taking My Place.' The cymbals sound like they're somewhere in the room! ...And the surface on those Okeh records is so quiet! ...But you need the right needle or else those records make a lot of noise.

:I wish that I could post videos of my phonograph playing records. The sound it puts out is thrilling and amazing. 78s sound spectacular if in good condition and if the right needle and cartridge are used. I love playing Benny Goodman/Peggy Lee's 'Somebody Else Is Taking My Place.' The cymbals sound like they're somewhere in the room! ...And the surface on those Okeh records is so quiet! ...But you need the right needle or else those records make a lot of noise.
:
:
:
:Hi! Thomas,
Did you think about putting it on you tube and letting us know about it? I'm interested in seeing what you came up with for the stylus and cartridge and how you put it together.
:Bob Masse
:
:

Still haven't shot any videos. I have to experiment with this camera I have. However, here's a video someone else shot. This is pretty much what my records sound like. The Victors and Bluebirds are superb. Columbias and Okehs can be great, but are a mixed bunch. Deccas are typically a bit noisier, but fidelity can be quite good. Capitols are particularily noisy, but since the treble is pushed a bit, you can reduce it to reduce noise on the output.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL1pBQTsUsw&feature=related

:Still haven't shot any videos. I have to experiment with this camera I have. However, here's a video someone else shot. This is pretty much what my records sound like. The Victors and Bluebirds are superb. Columbias and Okehs can be great, but are a mixed bunch. Deccas are typically a bit noisier, but fidelity can be quite good. Capitols are particularily noisy, but since the treble is pushed a bit, you can reduce it to reduce noise on the output.

If possible, try to find some RCA Red label records. The record itself is red, and under the right conditions can sound as good as an LP. Terry
:
:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL1pBQTsUsw&feature=related
:

I do have Victor Red Seal records in my collection, and they do sound very nice if taken care of.

Some of my favorites are a mid-30s stamping of "Clare de Lune," and a 40s album of Tchaikovski's "Pathetique," one by the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the other by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, both conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

Another great one is Lalo's Symphony Espagnole, with Jean Fournet as the conductor, and Yehudi Menuhin as the violinist.

Columbia Masterworks can be very quiet, but Victors are probably the best.

T.

Ad here it is Thomas:
http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=Benny+Goodman/Peggy+Lee%27s+%27Somebody+Else+Is+Taking+My+Place.%27&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=cDPxSvXeJ6ff8AaT8vmICQ&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CBsQqwQwAw#

:I'm not much of a radio person but I did rebuild this old record player. Saw your site and thought you might be able to tell me what an old 78 record should sound like. I got the new cartridge from the needle doctor and he says its for 78 records. I only have one 78 and it sounds kind of twangy and scratchy. Hope that makes sense. Its an old Airline mono record player. 1950. Is this what a 78 should sound like?
:Rich
:
Rich: At the risk of sound profosorial and showing my age I can tell you a good 78 tracked with a 3 mil conical needle sounds very good to the ear. The technical advantage of a 78 is its high surface speed which makes high fidelity even more possible than on an LP. (similar to 15 ips vs. 7.5 ips tape machines)
You may also notice that the first couple of inches in a standard LP sound the best beacuse they are traveling at higher surface speed than the rest of the record . . .thats the reason that many musicians insisted that their loudest numbers be placed first on an LP.
In the late l940's they did manufacture a few microgroove (1 mil) 78 records about the time the 45 rpm record was introduced. The microgroove 78 really sounded good and contained over twice the play time of the older 78's. However, the 45 and subsequently the LP won due to play time and convienience. RCA made millions selling their little automatic 45 players that many people collect today.
Hope this helps on your 78 rpm question. Tom.

Interesting, too, when you type l940 instead of 1940, because it shows that you were taught on a manual typewriter, many of which did not have a 1 key, especially if portable. I think that I'm the only guy my age that knows this stuff.

T.

Hello Thomas, I have a Model 867, it does sound great, I have many mono albums. What would one sale these items for? I don't want to sell them but, hard times has caught up with me. Thanks for your suggestions. Linda