What records can be played on an acoustic machine without causing significant wear to the record?

[Prisoner_In_Disguise]

I've got a 1918 Sonora Troubadour that I recently started using again. I got this for my 13th birthday back in 2018 and stopped using it around 2019, when I moved it to a new location and lost the crank in the process. Still searching for the crank! Anyways, the machine came with a stack of 78s about two feet tall, ranging in age from 1901 to 1955. Most of the records broke over time, but to be fair to me they were already in horrible shape when I got them. The only reason most of them were playable in the first place is they were Columbia disks with a paper core, which kept them together when they cracked. I found out yesterday that the bulk of my surviving records are actually a lot later than I thought they were, specifically 1939 to 1958. They're all red-label Columbia disks. I was told by some people over Discord that those records, while still shellac, are significantly softer and more prone to wear on an acoustic machine. Is this true? They all still sound quite crisp and clear to me, and that's with a lot of use with soft-tone steel needles and the original and unrestored reproducer. I know Elvis is way too late to be played on these machines (which is a shame, from the clips I've heard on YouTube his records sound great on acoustic stuff, very loud and clear) but my mind just can't process the idea that everything from Crosby, Sinatra, and Miller would be too new for this machine.

Short little anecdote: the first (and newest) record I played on here was Blueberries from Georgia Gibbs. That's a 1955 record! Still shellac though. If you listen to it on YouTube you'll hear it's a very loud record. This is a naturally loud machine. The only needle I had at the time was a loud-tone steel needle. I did not have a sock in it. My ears were ringing for at least 5 minutes after I played it.
The oldest record I played on here was a Victor from 1904. IIRC the label was red. It was one sided and had some stuff etched in the back. Like most of my records, it shattered when I tripped and fell while I was moving it. The same thing might have happened to record of mine from 1901. I can't be sure. I remember very little about that record, just that the label wasn't paper but something etched/scratched on, and that it only had one side. I'll have to sort through my box of records (full of LPs, 45s, and 78s. Quite eclectic!) to see if I can find it.

[52089]

Welcome to the board. This is one of the single most frequently asked questions and has as many answers and opinions as there are board members. I would suggest you use the board's search feature and read up on the topic, then post any specific follow up questions you might have.

And also keep in mind that steel needles were meant to be used only once and then discarded. Fortunately they are easily found from most of the sellers you'll find mentioned in the Links section of the board.

[CarlosV]

Welcome to the collectors realm! given that all records you mention are not expensive rarities, you can play all in your machine, except the ones made in the 50s - as you already experienced, they are too loud for acoustic machines, will sound bad and their shellac is too soft to survive the heavy tonearm. The red Columbias are ok to play, as anything earlier than that. As mentioned above, change needles after playing.

[epigramophone]

As others have said, this subject has been covered many times.
Much depends on the condition of the soundbox. Rock hard gaskets and stiff stylus bar suspension will ruin your records.
An older (pre-1925) soundbox which has been properly serviced should be safe to use on electrical records, but it will not reproduce them to their full potential.

My first gramophone, given to me at age ten, had a Sonora No.2 soundbox with a 1918 patent date. It was death to electrical records, but as a ten year old I knew nothing about repairs or maintenance.

[drh]

Welcome!

I'll let others address the general and instead will focus on one specific: that record with the etched label. From your description, it could very well be an etched label Pathé. Those differed from conventional 78s in being vertical cut, like cylinders, and requiring a special sapphire ball stylus for playback. Many Sonora machines were capable of playing both types--reproducer set to face to the right, conventional lateral; rotated on the arm to face forward, vertical cut--so it's entirely possible a Pathé record or records would be with yours. The etched label ones play from the label out. Later, Pathé went to paper labels and outside start like any other 78 brand.

Do not play Pathé vertical cut records with steel needles. They must be played with the sapphire ball. Steel needles will quickly destroy them.

Note that Pathé later yet released a conventional lateral cut line called Actuelle. If your record is labeled Pathé Actuelle, it's perfectly safe to play with steel needles.

If you're confused about the difference between vertical and lateral cut, you can find more in an article I wrote a while back: https://www.tnt-audio.com/vintage/mono-a-mono_e.html

[Prisoner_In_Disguise]

I'm positive it wasn't a Pathé record. I'm aware of the ability of Sonora machines to play vertically cut records but I'm lazy and cheap and feel no need to buy a stylus for my only Edison Diamond Disc.
The image below has a label that is in a similar style to the record I had, but I'm certain my record wasn't a Berliner. I'd have been ridiculously careful with that record if it was.

[Prisoner_In_Disguise]

Welcome to the board. This is one of the single most frequently asked questions and has as many answers and opinions as there are board members. I would suggest you use the board's search feature and read up on the topic, then post any specific follow up questions you might have.

And also keep in mind that steel needles were meant to be used only once and then discarded. Fortunately they are easily found from most of the sellers you'll find mentioned in the Links section of the board.

I tried to use the search function but it only let me search using one word at a time.
I'm aware of how often you should change steel needles. I choose to use a new needle for every side, just to be safe.
Sorry for any frustration caused by my question. I've decided not to get back into this hobby in the time since I made my post. My records are in poor shape and I don't trust myself with new ones, and there's just too much conflicting information out there for me.

[Inigo]

There is a trick I do when playing 78s with older acoustic machines. I examine the grooved surface under a strong ligh, and if I see many undulated grooves, that is a signal of a strong loud recording. Softer low volume recordings have a much uniform aspect in their grooves under the light, i.e.: no strong passages. Those are much quieter and pleasant to listen to in a gramophone like yours, no stridency, etc. I hate playing strong records with these soundboxes... as exhibition and the like.

[audiophile102]

I enjoy playing electrically recorded 78s with bamboo needles. The volume is reduced to about a half of loud steal needles, and they come with the benefit of no detriment to the records. To get the best result you will have to learn how to sharpen a bamboo needle, (look on You Tube). You will need to wash the record in warm water and dish soap, (also on You Tube). You can obtain bamboo needles by advertising on the trader section or Ebay. If the records are badly worn, you will have to use steal needles. It might take a few plays for the bamboo needle to clean out the grooves for records in better condition, but I think it's worth the effort.