Question Regarding Changes in Shellac Record Material...

[RAK402]

I have read, several times, that the shellac compound that 78's are made from changed over the years. In some cases I have read that records manufactured after 1930 or 1935 should not be played on acoustic machines, sometimes I have read that electrically recorded 78's should not be played on acoustic machines (this one seems contradicted by claims from Victor that their Orthophonic, and Brunswick that their acoustic Panatrope series were designed to play electrically recorded discs).

I have Victor records from the early 1940's which state "For best results use Victor needles" on the label, so they must have expected some use of steel needles.

I am looking for actual documentation that the shellac formula was actually changed to be softer sometime after 1925/30/35. Does anyone have any information that would actually confirm or deny that the formula was changed (i.e. that later discs were actually softer)?

I know that this topic has been discussed before, I am just very curious about it.

Thank you all in advance.

[edisonphonoworks]

This would be interesting to me also.

[RAK402]

edisonphonoworks,

You have done extensive work regarding how brown wax cylinders were made and the various ingredients they are made from, I believe.

I have read some very interesting articles in the APS publications that I think are yours (do I have this right?).

[edisonphonoworks]

Yes that is correct. I have to admit that I can no longer discuss formulas of any records only in general and broad terms as I am now under contract with the recording industry:(.

[Phototone]

There were 2 reasons late 1930's and newer 78 rpm shellac records shouldn't be played on early acoustic players. First, as the 1930's moved forward, advances in recording techniques allowed for greater groove modulation, thus causing more wear when played with older acoustic sound-boxes which were not very compliant. Second, due to the run-up to WW2 there were shellac shortages, thus causing manufacturers to modify their formula, which in many cases made for a less durable record.

The use of steel needles continued well into the electric era of the 1930's and 1940's, as the then-new crystal phono pick-ups continued to use the steel needle, BUT they were much much lighter tone arms so they did not wear the records as rapidly.

[Phototone]

Yes that is correct. I have to admit that I can no longer discuss formulas of any records only in general and broad terms as I am now under contract with the recording industry:(.

I fail to understand this statement. Are you "employed" by a record pressing company to exclusively make blanks under their label?

[RAK402]

"Yes that is correct. I have to admit that I can no longer discuss formulas of any records only in general and broad terms as I am now under contract with the recording industry:(."

I understand. Those were very interesting articles. Good to hear someone is manufacturing brown wax cylender blanks and doing all this work to keep the technology alive!

[epigramophone]

There were 2 reasons late 1930's and newer 78 rpm shellac records shouldn't be played on early acoustic players. First, as the 1930's moved forward, advances in recording techniques allowed for greater groove modulation, thus causing more wear when played with older acoustic sound-boxes which were not very compliant. Second, due to the run-up to WW2 there were shellac shortages, thus causing manufacturers to modify their formula, which in many cases made for a less durable record.

The use of steel needles continued well into the electric era of the 1930's and 1940's, as the then-new crystal phono pick-ups continued to use the steel needle, BUT they were much much lighter tone arms so they did not wear the records as rapidly.

In the UK during WW2 the shortage of shellac was so serious that a National Salvage Campaign was instituted to encourage the public to hand in unwanted records for recycling. The recycled mixture resulted in some rough surfaces, and we can only speculate as to the scarce and interesting records which perished in the cause.

[edisonphonoworks]

Yes that is correct. I have to admit that I can no longer discuss formulas of any records only in general and broad terms as I am now under contract with the recording industry:(.

I fail to understand this statement. Are you "employed" by a record pressing company to exclusively make blanks under their label?

Yes.

[HisMastersVoice]

Yes that is correct. I have to admit that I can no longer discuss formulas of any records only in general and broad terms as I am now under contract with the recording industry:(.

I fail to understand this statement. Are you "employed" by a record pressing company to exclusively make blanks under their label?

Yes.

Are you going to share or is it a secret?