The Best Records Always Arrive Broken

[oldphonographsteve]

I recently bought a really nice ragtime record off of eBay. Its a 1915 Victor Record of Bon Ton One Step by Luckeyth Roberts, a ragtime composer who wrote the famous Junk Man Rag. I was looking forward to it arriving, and I was dismayed to see what was in the box: a record poorly packaged and split in half. You would think the seller would have known how to package it, but it was just between two loose pieces of cardboard and stuffed into a flimsy flat box. Oh well, I found a recording of the record on Youtube, if you'd like to take a listen to it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLVL6qCHwhs[/youtube]

-Stephen

[gramophone78]

The mistake is assuming a seller knows how to ship a record properly. I have never had a record arrived broken. I always supply a seller with detailed instructions on how 'I' want 'my' record packed. If it costs more to ship in order to ensure there is plenty of space around the record.. no problem.

Not to suggest this is your case....however, many try to have things sent the cheapest way possible in order to save money. Yet, all they end up doing is buying a lot of heartache.

Even more so, shipments to me have to go across a boarder...so more rough handling is expected.

If I had a dime for every thread like this posted on here.....I would be rich... .

That said...sorry you lost a decent record you were wanting... .

[Curt A]

Since your record appears to be a clean break with no missing pieces, it may be able to be repaired using the following instructions which I posted on another thread.

On another record related topic, I found a way to preserve valuable 78's that may be cracked, but not broken into pieces.

The perfect glue for the job is called WeldBond Glue. You can find it by Googling the name and you will probably have to purchase it online, since I have not had much luck finding regular distributors. The key to this method is that WeldBond is a white, water soluble glue, which adheres most types of material - plastic, foam, glass, metal, wood and IS NOT the same as white Elmer's glue or white wood glue.

The method is as follows: place a stripe of the glue along the crack - first on one side - and flex the record slightly while forcing the glue into the crack with a finger. Wipe the excess off with a "damp" - not wet - paper towel while going in the direction of the grooves. Make sure to clean all excess off the grooves, then proceed to do the same on the other side. Lay the record on a glass surface or other smooth flat surface and let it dry for 24 hrs. Then play the record with a steel needle to clean any leftover glue from the grooves and to smooth out the seam. Your record may make a slight sound passing over the repair, but it will be as solid as new and no danger of further cracking or breakage. I have used this method successfully on many rare records, but remember it is extremely important to use WeldBond glue, not super glue or any other type.

In this case you would want to smear glue along the entire break and lay it flat on a piece of glass (don't use too much glue or the excess on the back side will be hard to remove). You can use tape to keep it in place on the glass as long as it is something like Scotch tape and not duct tape... or you can use painters tape which will remove easily. This is not guaranteed to work, but what have you got to lose? Bear in mind, you will hear clicks as the needle passes over the cracks... if it works.

Note: since I originally posted this, I have found WeldBond glue at Michael's craft store...

[oldphonographsteve]

Since your record appears to be a clean break with no missing pieces, it may be able to be repaired using the following instructions which I posted on another thread.

On another record related topic, I found a way to preserve valuable 78's that may be cracked, but not broken into pieces.

The perfect glue for the job is called WeldBond Glue. You can find it by Googling the name and you will probably have to purchase it online, since I have not had much luck finding regular distributors. The key to this method is that WeldBond is a white, water soluble glue, which adheres most types of material - plastic, foam, glass, metal, wood and IS NOT the same as white Elmer's glue or white wood glue.

The method is as follows: place a stripe of the glue along the crack - first on one side - and flex the record slightly while forcing the glue into the crack with a finger. Wipe the excess off with a "damp" - not wet - paper towel while going in the direction of the grooves. Make sure to clean all excess off the grooves, then proceed to do the same on the other side. Lay the record on a glass surface or other smooth flat surface and let it dry for 24 hrs. Then play the record with a steel needle to clean any leftover glue from the grooves and to smooth out the seam. Your record may make a slight sound passing over the repair, but it will be as solid as new and no danger of further cracking or breakage. I have used this method successfully on many rare records, but remember it is extremely important to use WeldBond glue, not super glue or any other type.

In this case you would want to smear glue along the entire break and lay it flat on a piece of glass (don't use too much glue or the excess on the back side will be hard to remove). You can use tape to keep it in place on the glass as long as it is something like Scotch tape and not duct tape... or you can use painters tape which will remove easily. This is not guaranteed to work, but what have you got to lose? Bear in mind, you will hear clicks as the needle passes over the cracks... if it works.

Note: since I originally posted this, I have found WeldBond glue at Michael's craft store...

I was actually thinking of gluing the record, but when I picked up one of the two pieces it broke in half. Now I have three broken pieces and I think that is probably too many to glue back together. I will be sure in the future to tell a seller how to have the record I buy packed. However, this is the first time I have ever had a record arrive broken.

-Stephen

[EdiBrunsVic]

Sadly, it seems that it is true. The best records sometimes meet with accidents. Over the years, several of my favorite records have been broken. Fortunately, the few times that I have had records shipped to me, they were well packed.

To those of you who ship records, please remember that you can easily buy good packing material, but finding another old record of the same title is much more difficult.

[epigramophone]

Unfortunately bad luck such as this is not confined to records which are bought by post. When looking through a pile of records in a junk shop or a flea market, the one I most want is often the one that is cracked .

[audiophile102]

I have had good luck buying 78's on Ebay. Be sure to read the feed back for the seller before bidding. I only had one bad record purchase with condition issues so bad I had to obtain a refund.

[edisonplayer]

I'd rather buy my 78's LOCALLY!The area I live in (NY Southern Tier)is a GREAT place to find 'em! And,you get a chance to look at them!Some people don't know how to pack 78's.Kurt Nauck,in my opinion is one of the BEST for packing! edisonplayer

[Curt A]

If in doubt, advise the seller to use this recommended method:

[Wolfe]

^ I wonder what special disc records the ad is advocating mailing like that. Marconi Velvet-Tone ? Ad looks too early for vinyl / Victrolac, etc.