Re: THIS JUST IN--Vulcan Records now making 7" discs!
Posted: Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:42 am
donniej wrote:That's the best quote about me I've ever seen! Thank you, I hope you won't mind if I use itVanEpsFan1914 wrote:Market saturation: You mean Don Wilson? He went from zero to a Berliner jobber in what, two years?
Regarding market saturation, the market is dead and we 78 and cylinder makers are simply having fun. I would not have been able to copy 400 scarce, desirable and/or rare records if it weren't for the wonderful people willing to loan them to me, and a little bit of luck. I'm super-excited to see Vulcan entering the disc market and can't wait to see where they go with it. Duncan has been doing this sort of work longer than anyone (I think?) and he certainly knows the market better than I do. But he's not the only one entering the 78 market, I've also been teaching at least one other person who's about to start releasing his own copies of some really desirable 1920's jazz.
The main issue is that as much as people say they want to see new 78's available, not many people actually buy them. The reason is simple, there are *so*many* reissues out there from the 30's to the 50's... UHCA, Jazz Lovers, Moldy Fig, the list goes on and on. Then we get into the revival bands like "Firehouse Five Plus Two" (who I love) and anyone who wants fun 78's to play can find an endless supply for $0.50 - $5 per. But what about some of the big dollar blues records that most people could never afford, even if they could find it? SURELY those must sell? Nope. The average collector doesn't care and the moneyed collectors turn their noses up at anything other than the genuine artifact. Curley Weaver, Pink Anderson; they just don't sell.
Maple Leaf Rag sells. Dixie sells. Drill Ye Tarries Drill sells. 78's of covers or lesser-known songs don't sell. I probably gave away or dumped $1,000 worth of molds that never sold a single copy, these included clean, early 7" Columbias of Sousa's band pieces, hard to find ODJB sides and pre-dog Victors. A march is a march, jazz from the teens sucks, ragtime reminds people of cartoon music and most of the good stuff was reissued or redone in the 40's or 50's during the strike dujour.
Lastly, what is the second thing most collectors say when they mention the great new record they bought? They mention what a great deal they got it for. The thrill of the hunt cannot be discounted as part of the experience, and that's really difficult to do in a retail operation.
Donnie:
Very well said and is spot on with what I have observed and experienced. Basically, we are having fun and that’s what matters. I don’t think we will ever see a time where this hobby made enough to keep it going like the 1980’s and 1990’s. I think Reproduction records would have sold like hotcakes in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Truthfully, the younger generations are not into antiques like previous generations. An older gentleman opened a antique shop in a nearby community. I stopped in there on my lunch hour, he had a well displayed shop, hundreds of beautiful old clocks, cabinets etc. we got to talking and he said the young don’t want this stuff and you almost have to give it away. I think this is where we are. When I was in my teens and obtained my first Wind-up phonograph, it was not long before that you could play 35-40 year old records, for the greater number of younger people, they are out of touch with the music.
I have dozens of Diamond Discs records in the 52000 series that I had paid hundreds for back around 2007-2009, during the big bidding wars. Today, those records will command maybe 25.00 if lucky. I think many collectors are maxed out and have enough records and machines to keep them going. It takes that ”certain” record to peak their interest. Space and money are huge factors, with 200 cylinders, 500 78’s, 150 Diamond Discs, I fit into that category of enough to keep me going. I admit when I can afford it I try and put in a new Reproduction cylinder or disc in here and there.
Donnie, you have really came along way with your records, from early experiments to records that can be played with a steel needle with no wear.