The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Looking for Xmas discs, I pulled out an unplayed Walter L. Schott Co Standard Test Record, Cat No 726. Thought I'd give it a spin. The Credenza X is basically untouched except for some resealing around the tone arm base - I can't figure out how to remove the horn grille without wrecking the cloth, so horn leaks are unknown. Using a reproducer from a 2-65 portable, as I prefer its sound to the brass Ortho that came with the machine.

Results: 10,000 cps just barely audible with the lid open; some of that could be my aging ears. 8,000 clearly audible, but not at all through the horn. 7,000 about the same, but just barely audible through the horn. 6,000 down to 100 - good and loud, both near the soundbox and through the horn. 70 & 50 essentially silent, with just a hint of something happening to the needle.

I'll hafta try this with the brass Ortho, a pot-metal one, and the Audak.

Odd: the label claims to have a 78rpm @ 60Hz strobe, but I had to set the turntable at 80rpm to get the bits to stand still ! Maybe my electricity is screwy.

Edisone wrote: Odd: the label claims to have a 78rpm @ 60Hz strobe, but I had to set the turntable at 80rpm to get the bits to stand still ! Maybe my electricity is screwy.

Unlikely, as electricity is fairly consistent in this day and age. If your electricity was not running at 60 cycles, any clock with a synchronous motor wouldn't be able to keep time. I would be more inclined to blame the turntable or the strobe disc.

Edisone wrote: Odd: the label claims to have a 78rpm @ 60Hz strobe, but I had to set the turntable at 80rpm to get the bits to stand still ! Maybe my electricity is screwy.

A question: How do you "set the turntable at 80 rpm"? Are you using one of these gadgets (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004Q8L894/ref ... SC_3p_dp_1 )? Perhaps something is out of calibration, which might explain the anomalous results.

Henry wrote:

Edisone wrote: Odd: the label claims to have a 78rpm @ 60Hz strobe, but I had to set the turntable at 80rpm to get the bits to stand still ! Maybe my electricity is screwy.

A question: How do you "set the turntable at 80 rpm"?

No gadgets used to measure - I count revolutions against the clock.

They probably just put the wrong strobe pattern on the label; I'll check that when I get home tonight.