The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have just purchased my first Victor VV-50 phonograph and would like to get some records. Do I have to buy individual records or are there some type of package deals available I could buy. I don't know much about the type of music I want other than something that is fast and dance worthy. Any help ???

Well, since nobody else has stepped up to the plate--welcome to the hobby! With only minimal exceptions, the 78s that your machine was designed to play were last on the market as a standard item of commerce sometime around 1950, but really it is best suited to those that were manufactured up through the mid-1920s, although you certainly can play later 78s as long as they are made of shellac and not the very late ones that were pressed in vinyl. You'll need to hunt out second-hand "antiques" at garage sales, flea markets, on eBay, through single-dealer auctions lists, and the like. Depending on where you find them, you may be buying one at a time or may find whole stacks of them. Browse around the forum to get a feel for which labels are from which periods and so forth. You might try posting an ad on the Yankee Trader part of this forum indicating you want some inexpensive dance records for a newly acquired Victrola; just be sure you read the posting guidelines before putting it up.

A couple of important points: first, your machine plays records with steel needles. You'll need to get a stock of those in hand up front, because to avoid damaging records you must change the needle for each record side you play. They are available on eBay and from specialist dealers. Second, the "reproducer" or "sound box" probably needs rebuilding. The way it works is that the needle vibrates a diaphragm suspended between rubber gaskets, and chances are at a minimum the gaskets have dried out and hardened, meaning the sound will be harsh and blasty. Replacing them and doing any other adjustment/lubrication that is needful will let your nice machine sing. If you search the forum, you'll find resources for getting that job done without paying a fortune.

Quite a lot of us on the board have spare records we can sell for cheap. Let us know where you're located. Who knows, some kind soul might even give you some freebies!

You can also find cheap 78s at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift shops.

And don't be too surprised if a year from now you find you have hundreds of records and half a dozen machines!

Yes, the above post is good advice. You may want to post a message in the Yankee Trader Section.

I posted this on another thread, but it seems appropriate here as well...

If you are new to 78s, you might want to search YouTube for 1920s/1930s music to determine what genre you like... blues, jazz, dance bands, comedy, etc. and which artists appeal to you. It takes time to learn what you actually like...

You can listen before actually buying any records. That way, you learn what to look for and avoid buying a bunch of "duds" or music you really don't like... just an idea. I never buy box lots of records because most of them are boring or not enjoyable. I only buy titles I have listened to. Certain 78s command a premium price because they are exceptional and not just run of the mill recordings.

This also works on a smart phone if you are in an antique shop or flea market and not sure what a record sounds like, just search YouTube and listen before buying. There are a million great sounding titles that aren't worth the time it takes to play them, so don't go by "catchy" sounding titles unless you have heard them first... just my opinion. This may save you a ton of money and also help keep your back healthy by not having to haul them around to get rid of them...