New 78's Possibilities...

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donniej
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by donniej »

Curt A wrote:"So does this mean you're working from digital files now, with no need for people to send in their prized discs for molding? You can do anything that will fit?

That's my question too...
You bet! I can cut from MP3, WAV, Audacity, etc..

Ps. This machine is configured for cutting laterally, not DD's.
With all vintage discs, I prefer to chemically copy an original but sometimes that's not possible. Either the disc is not available, is a song from a cylinder or DD, or is a modern performance. For all these reasons, I made the investment in the lathe.

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emgcr
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by emgcr »

donniej wrote:
I'm also surprised more people haven't replied... I was hoping for some input on what to release next, now that anything is possible.
I wonder if this has to do with people not knowing exactly what it is that you are offering ?

I too am mystified but your project sounds most exciting. For instance, I would love to be able to buy modern 78s of modern music/speech.

Some initial questions :

1. You are making new lateral-cut 78s (amongst other types) but from what material ?

2. What is the process of manufacture ? "Moulding" is mentioned as opposed to "pressing" ?

3. Can these be played in exactly the same way as traditional 78s ie with thorn, bamboo and steel in addition to diamond etc ?

4. Will your discs last as long as traditional 78s in your estimation ?

5. Do they sound the same as traditional 78s ?

6. Are they as strong/brittle as traditional 78s or more "plastic" ?

7. How would you describe the extent of surface noise---as quiet as say traditional Australian or French pressings ?

8. Are you making 10 inch and 12 inch records ?

9. Can you supply double-sided records ?

10. What is the cost of a disc ?

11. Can multiple copies be bought at cheaper unit cost ?

12. What is the time frame between receiving an original disc or digital information and sending a new copy ?

13. What do you mean by chemical copying ?

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Orchorsol
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by Orchorsol »

Curt A wrote:
Orchorsol wrote:Fantastic!

It might be a very off-the-wall choice, and I'm sure I could think of a lot of older rare records, but personally I'd love a 10 inch two-sider of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnBbjc5hmho (India was still producing 78s long after 1965).
Not sure that fits the style/era most of us have in mind... :roll:
Yes of course - off the wall, as I said!

There are any number of operatic and 1920s/30s jazz 78s (my main tastes) of which I would enjoy facsimiles, as Donnie has already been producing to great acclaim - but the new equipment could offer much wider possibilities.
BCN thorn needles made to the original 1920s specifications: http://www.burmesecolourneedles.com

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe4DNb ... TPE-zTAJGg?

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Curt A
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by Curt A »

I was just messing with you... :lol: Obviously, it is a great thing to have any type music on 78, particularly since finding an original may be next to impossible or may not even exist... Congrats Donnie, but how are you going to price these and are they going to be made depending on the amount of interest in a certain title?
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donniej
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by donniej »

Curt A wrote:Congrats Donnie, but how are you going to price these and are they going to be made depending on the amount of interest in a certain title?
Thanks Curt! That's part of why I'm posting here, to get some help figuring out the details. To make a "shellac compatible" disc I have to make a mold, so as per forum members suggestions, promises of 10 orders are required to get a mold made. I'll try to keep the price the same on these, $20 for 7" or 8" and $25 for 10".

For people who want a custom one-or-two-copy disc cut specially for them, I can cut either vinyl or lacquer. Either will play on a wind-up a few times before it degrades. I'll make these as affordable as possible but don't yet have sufficient info to price them.

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SteveM
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by SteveM »

VanEpsFan1914 wrote:I don't get why more people haven't replied. This is literally the greatest advancement in obsolescence since the replica resin cylinder!

True. This is a new day. I'm sitting here stunned, and will spend most of my productivity today dreaming of the songs I want that have never gotten a shellac pressing ... Tom Waits ballads ... Squirrel Nut Zippers ... the Annie Lennox version of Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye ... and I really really need this Ivor Novello tune, probably my favorite ballad ever:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej5nK6UNs7A[/youtube]

And so much I haven't thought of yet. Thanks Don, you've changed everything!
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donniej
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by donniej »

This sounds like a good first-draft of a FAQ section :lol:

Q1. You are making new lateral-cut 78s (amongst other types) but from what material ?

The 78's I produce are made of a proprietary polyurethane resin, made to simulate the properties of shellac discs.

Q2. What is the process of manufacture ? "Moulding" is mentioned as opposed to "pressing" ?

Discs are copied using silicone molds. The mold is filled with a measured amount of polyurethane resin (weighed out on a scale) and pressure cast in a heated chamber.

Q3. Can these be played in exactly the same way as traditional 78s ie with thorn, bamboo and steel in addition to diamond etc ?

Yes, up to 85*F, at which point they begin to wear as rapidly as a Victor bat-wing at 90*F. I have no data on thorn needles, steel and bamboo work fine, as well as modern turntables.

Q4. Will your discs last as long as traditional 78s in your estimation ?

Shelf life is indefinite. Wear under a steel needle is approximately comparable to a shellac 78. Discs are tested with 150 grams of force on a soft tone needle, which is the heaviest of common weights placed on discs. A revised formula is good to over 200 grams (for front mount machines).

Q5. Do they sound the same as traditional 78s ?

The copies sound identical to the originals.

Q6. Are they as strong/brittle as traditional 78s or more "plastic" ?

For manufacturing reasons, they're much thicker than a typical 78, making them much stronger. The resin is also less brittle than shellac but they're not flexible. They're generally safe to ship in an envelope but can break if abused.

Q7. How would you describe the extent of surface noise---as quiet as say traditional Australian or French pressings ?

That's complicated. The material is as quiet as a good Victor scroll label but a copy made from a disc with high surface noise (like a Berliner, for example) will carry that over to the copy.

Q8. Are you making 10 inch and 12 inch records ?

For cost reasons, I prefer to make disc 10" and smaller. I can (and do) sometimes make 12" but those are much more complicated and therefore expensive.

Q9. Can you supply double-sided records ?

For cost reasons, all 78's are single sided.

Q10. What is the cost of a disc ?

78's are $20 for 7" or 8" and $25 for 10"

Q11. Can multiple copies be bought at cheaper unit cost ?

Prices are already very low, so while I wouldn't rule it out, it's not likely.

Q12. What is the time frame between receiving an original disc or digital information and sending a new copy ?

Original discs are returned as quickly as possible, typically within one week. Copies then ship a week or two later.
A time frame for cutting a new disc from a digital file has not yet been determined.

Q13. What do you mean by chemical copying ?

Silicone mold making.

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SteveM
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by SteveM »

Oh HECK YES PLEASE! :lol:

[youtubehd]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZrRhKVj5j0[/youtubehd]
“The cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing which, as a rule, I particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured cosiness.”

P. G. Wodehouse

donniej
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by donniej »

Steve, I was thinking more "Post Modern Jukebox" style...

https://youtu.be/4Cnm0tdkJEU

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SteveM
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Re: New 78's Possibilities...

Post by SteveM »

donniej wrote:Steve, I was thinking more "Post Modern Jukebox" style...

https://youtu.be/4Cnm0tdkJEU
Indeed ... YES! There's all that stuff too!

I'm IN for a copy of Thriftshop if you choose to do it! :D
“The cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing which, as a rule, I particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured cosiness.”

P. G. Wodehouse

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