The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I recently picked up a Columbia Grafanola upright model with the record ejector and it came with a bunch of records. There are all kinds of record labels from pre to post 1930. The post 1930 records include labels such as Capitol, MGM, Columbia (Red label with musical note and microphone symbols), Decca, and RCA Victor. Some of the Columbia (Red label) records include Frank Sinatra and Dinah Shore just to give an idea of the time frame. Will playing the post 1930 records with a steel tip needle ruin them? At about what time frame should the 78 rpm shellac records be played on modern turn table with a modern cartridge and not on a phonograph with a steel tip needle? Is there a general rule of thumb?

Thanks,

AR

Variations of this question have been asked dozens of times. Answers and opinions vary. Here's a Google search page for you that will point you to previous discussions.

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Thanks!