Playing "newer" records on Victor VIII

[smitharthur]

The no2 Victor or HMV soundbox is compatible, and being more compliant, it would be better for electrical recordings. And better the no4. The problem with this is that it's far larger than the Exhibition, and the angle of the needle on the record will be far from the recommended value.
There's another possibility which I've used with success, and it is too use the Exhibition with very soft needles. I've found that the RECOTON type (those needles with the thin needle protruding from the thicker shaft) is good for playing modern 78s with the Exhibition. Provided that they are not vinyl based records (i. e. the Victors of the late forties, the later Capitols and Deccas and MGMs, al those staring in their labels that they are pressed in vinylite, Deccalite, Metrolite or similar "unbreakable" material for late 78s; they feel unmistakably plastic, thin and light). The problem with these is that the record material gets destroyed under the heavy soundboxes.
Here's the type of needle I mentioned
s-l300 (1).jpg
49189168573_f2be368a17_b.jpg

Ended up buying a supply of these, 100 in total. Not planning on using them that often, but certainly handy to have for that occasional electrical spin. And, I've been told they sound good for acoustic records, too. Thanks once again for the advice. A

[Inigo]

Yes, they're extra soft, giving a pleasant tone, not too loud, as the standard steel needles. Don't know what you think, but to me, the sound of the Gramophone is too loud inside home in many circumstances... Besides that, the sound is mellow, not thin. With electrical recordings you hear a certain amount of bass. I think that perhaps because of their shape, they filter the midrange and the treble, which are the responsibles for that somewhat ringing tone. The Recoton/Fidelitone type of needles are great for playing electricals on these hard soundboxes as the Exhibition. Glad you liked them. I've not tried them yet with acoustics, though... I only have a box of Laubscher needles that came with my las phonograph, a French HMV tabletop, the european copy of the Victrola VI. I ended thinking that the seller used these needles intentionally for demonstration purposes, to avoid any shrill tones and sell it better...

[smitharthur]

It is very nice to have options. I don't think I would ever use "louds" on my VIII, as it would probably send me running out of the house. And even then, the mediums are very loud indeed. I had the machine out on the front porch this past weekend, and played some Caruso, which showered the neighborhood with his great tenor voice.