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I have recently picked up a Victrola and would like some suggestions on records and songs. I am unfamiliar with the music of the time and would like to know if there are certain selections that I should keep my eyes open for. I have some records to play for now. I looked at a vendor that has a lot of records, some in good shape some not so much. I am kind of looking blindly right now until I become more familiar with the music. I know it can be subjective but it would be a starting point.

Thanks Gary

You might start by searching YouTube for things like "Victrola", "Diamond Disc", "cylinder record", "78", etc. just to get a feel for what's out there. Many of us have YouTube accounts and there's a thread with all the info, just use the search feature on the forum.

You may also want to consider attending one of the various record and phonograph shows around the country and see what you can find. Many dealers will be happy to let you play their records on their machines.

You will probably find out quickly that you will gravitate towards certain artists, rather than specific types of music. I, for example, and far more likely to want to hear a record by Billy Murray than the same title by Joe Schmo.

Also be aware than 78s in general are pretty inexpensive. You will rarely need to pay more than a few dollars for a record and you will often be able to pay mere cents.

Happy hunting!

What model Victrola do you have? And what sort of music are you interested in?

It is best, of course, to start a record collection with material that you really enjoy, whether you're into jazz, ragtime, popular songs, classical or opera…

And let's just say that it's a good idea to make sure the mechanism is cleaned and lubricated, including the reproducer (gaskets and all), to insure you can enjoy your records properly.

Also, keep in mind that certain records may be more compatible with certain machines than with others (you wouldn't want to play Diamond Discs on a regular 78 player unless you have a vertical adapter and a proper stylus - and you wouldn't want to play vinyl 78s from the 1950s on an acoustic machine from the 1920s).

Hope this info is of some help.

Bill

To add to Lucius' comments,

You won't go wrong in terms of "compatability issues" if you start-out with Victor and Victrola records with the "arch" label ( also referred to as "bat-wing" label ), Columbia records with the blue & gold "magic notes" label...

Avoid "red label Columbias" ( with the CBS / Microphone label, ie: 1940's Frank Sinatra and the like), Later RCA-Victors (red or black label with silver/gold rings at the edge), and any "Soft, vinyl" 78's; genre-wise, this would include most big-band & swing music, and most country/western stuff ( Hank Williams, Eddie Arnold, etc.). These records were all made from a "softer" shellac formulation, designed to work with "modern" electrical phonographs with light-weight pick-ups and semi-permanent sapphire stylii. Playing them on an early acoustic phonograph with a steel needle will cause the record to wear quickly, and with some smaller machines with weaker motors, may drag or even stop during play-back.


Somewhere around here ( or on the interweb ) is a "label glossary" that shows pictures of most record labels from 1900 - 1950, and can give you an idea of what to look for.

Also, be sure and use a steel needle only once ( just one side of a record ). Trying to stretch a needle over two sides or more will result in poor sound quality, and probable record damage.

Good hunting !

yd328 wrote:I have recently picked up a Victrola and would like some suggestions on records and songs. I am unfamiliar with the music of the time and would like to know if there are certain selections that I should keep my eyes open for. I have some records to play for now. I looked at a vendor that has a lot of records, some in good shape some not so much. I am kind of looking blindly right now until I become more familiar with the music. I know it can be subjective but it would be a starting point.

Thanks Gary

I often advise new collectors to buy job lots of records, which usually cost next to nothing at flea markets or car boot sales. These will typically contain a mixture of repertoire on various labels and from several eras, most commonly 1920's to 1940's.

This will enable you to decide what you like, and equally importantly what you do not like, without incurring much expense.

Once you have decided to specialise, then is the time to buy records singly.

Thanks for all of the tips it will be helpful in my search and getting familiar with the records.
I have started with a VV-90 and have cleaned and greased the motor including the springs. I am going to work on the reproducer next, which is a #2.
I am hoping to go to a show in Wayne NJ in April and any others I can find within a days travel.

Gary

yd328 wrote:Thanks for all of the tips it will be helpful in my search and getting familiar with the records.
I have started with a VV-90 and have cleaned and greased the motor including the springs. I am going to work on the reproducer next, which is a #2.
I am hoping to go to a show in Wayne NJ in April and any others I can find within a days travel.

Gary

There is a phonograph show in Danbury, CT every year. The date for this year's show has not been announced. Visit intertique.com for more info.

epigramophone wrote:I often advise new collectors to buy job lots of records, which usually cost next to nothing at flea markets or car boot sales. These will typically contain a mixture of repertoire on various labels and from several eras, most commonly 1920's to 1940's.

This will enable you to decide what you like, and equally importantly what you do not like, without incurring much expense.

Once you have decided to specialise, then is the time to buy records singly.

I would like to second this suggestion. As I gather is the case with you from your opening comment, I had only a nodding acquaintance with music of the pre-big band era when my old phonograph collecting began. I watched Craig's list for estate sales with 78 collections and prowled around thrift shops and bought a few large lots. Except for the occasional seller who has no idea of market value, they are very cheap--usually well under a dollar a copy when bought in lots.

This enabled me to get a broad overview of music genres and artists and learn what appealed to me and what did not and gave me a much sounder foundation for building my collection. As for the ones you acquire that way that you do not like, you can just sell them off or give them away or (like me) keep them around to play for the enjoyment of friends who may stop by and like them. This experience is also a way to learn a lot about what to look for in terms of condition issues for future purchase.

By the way, often 78s you pick up this way will be quite dirty--often having spent much time in attics, basements, closets, or storage sheds. Always wash and dry them first. For shellac 78s I use warm water, Joy dish detergent, and a soft old terry dish rag; rinse thoroughly; and dry with a soft towel. Don't soak them during the first stage. Just hold them over the sink and wipe with the soapy rag in circular motions following the groves. Frequently old 78s have no sleeves, or sleeves that are dirty or in tatters, but there are several sources for clean new sleeves of good quality at reasonable prices--which should be installed before putting the records away. Store them vertically on shelves or things like sturdy milk crates. There are several threads on this forum that deal with storage issues.

Clay