New to the forum. Need upright sanora phonograph help!

[phonogfp]

Also.. went to 3 goodwills in town last night.. First 2 had nothing at all in the way of 78s but at the 3rd I struck gold. I found 6 78s total including some Harry James, Rosemary Clooney, Carmen Cavallero, and the Charioteers.

Ian, those records are electrically recorded, which is fine, but your Sonora was designed when there was nothing but acoustic recordings on disc. The significantly increased volume and dynamic range of electrical records will probably overpower your sound box. At the very least, you should use soft-tone needles when playing these on your Sonora.

The good news is that acoustically-recorded discs are very common. By checking around, you should be able to by them by the box-full for a few bucks. Perhaps an ad in your local Craigslist? Many people are happy to give them away.

George P.

[Iantsimpson]

Also.. went to 3 goodwills in town last night.. First 2 had nothing at all in the way of 78s but at the 3rd I struck gold. I found 6 78s total including some Harry James, Rosemary Clooney, Carmen Cavallero, and the Charioteers.

Ian, those records are electrically recorded, which is fine, but your Sonora was designed when there was nothing but acoustic recordings on disc. The significantly increased volume and dynamic range of electrical records will probably overpower your sound box. At the very least, you should use soft-tone needles when playing these on your Sonora.

The good news is that acoustically-recorded discs are very common. By checking around, you should be able to by them by the box-full for a few bucks. Perhaps an ad in your local Craigslist? Many people are happy to give them away.

George P.

George — I’m glad you brought this up. In speaking to one of the parts dealers I found on this forum he also spoke about acoustic vs electric. Will playing these with a soft tone needle cause damage? Also, do acoustic recorded records have noticeable physical differences? Or is dating them the best way to identify?

[phonogfp]

George — I’m glad you brought this up. In speaking to one of the parts dealers I found on this forum he also spoke about acoustic vs electric. Will playing these with a soft tone needle cause damage?

It won't damage the records unless the mica diaphragm is stiff enough to limit the needle's compliance. Non-electric sound boxes designed to play electrically recorded discs typically use an aluminum diaphragm for this reason. Some collectors claim that playing electric records with a mica-diaphragmed sound box will delaminate or crack the mica. I've never seen this happen, but just passing it along.

Also, do acoustic recorded records have noticeable physical differences? Or is dating them the best way to identify?

In the mid-late 1920s, it seems most companies made a notation either in the dead wax or on the label to denote an electrical recording. Victor put a "VE" within an oval (later a diamond) in the dead wax (although all "scroll labels" are electrical). Columbia used the brand name, "Viva-Tonal." Okeh added "Electric: to its label. Etc., etc., etc... It gets easier with later labels which were always electric, such as "red label" or "microphone" Columbias, Mercurys, Decca, and dozens more. You'll also quickly learn when certain artists recorded - - which is how I knew your records were electrically recorded.

It may seem a bit overwhelming now, but you'll be surprised how much you learn in a short time.

George P.

[Iantsimpson]

It won't damage the records unless the mica diaphragm is stiff enough to limit the needle's compliance. Non-electric sound boxes designed to play electrically recorded discs typically use an aluminum diaphragm for this reason. Some collectors claim that playing electric records with a mica-diaphragmed sound box will delaminate or crack the mica. I've never seen this happen, but just passing it along.

Interesting. I was guessing there was a bit of disagreement here based off of what i’ve seen/heard. One of the parts dealers I spoke to didn’t recommend playing 78s after 1945 even with a soft needle. The other dealer said the opposite and that soft tone needles could play electric 78s into the 50s.


It may seem a bit overwhelming now, but you'll be surprised how much you learn in a short time.

A bit overwhelming, reminds me of the phrase, “drinking from a firehose”. With that said, trying to retain it all and certainly appreciate all of the helpful information. I enjoy every bit of it.

George P.[/quote]

[Iantsimpson]

My apologies for lack of quotes... on my phone and wanted to reply quickly.

[VanEpsFan1914]

Hey Ian--

I used to exclusively use a Victrola upright very similar to the Sonora. (Still have it, but added others to the stash.) You know what? When you don't have controls to adjust the sound, you do a few workarounds.

Playing Electrics on an Obsolete Phonograph: Charles' Rules. No Guarantees.

Rule 1. Don't strain it with a big symphonic piece. It will blast. A swing-band record sounds kind of neat though!

Rule 2. Soft tone needles are far better. Loud tone feels like sticking a power drill in one's ear.

Rule 3. Start the machine in the last silent grooves to break in the tip of the fresh needle. This saves the record. I learned this from a Songster record sleeve from the 1930s...so electric era. Also, the Victrola owner's manual advocates it, and I have found records over 100 years old in mint condition except for the last silent grooves. Music still sounds beautiful.

Rule 4. Underwear in the horn works great. Perhaps some records call for a dress sock, others a handkerchief, still more a big pair of longhandles.

Rule 5. Use your clean underwear.


Regarding your PM--I'll catch with you after Christmas if you wanted some records to get your collection up and running!