The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HRRuGnO05Y[/youtube]

I printed off a strobe and timed the machine to the best of my abilities and also oiled it. Any feedback is greatly appreciated

Too fast.

Not terribly far off (it almost synchs-up with a 3:28 version I have on the 'puter) but still a little too fast - maybe .5 to 1.5 rpm . If your strobe indicates 78.26rpm, then it's very possible that this particular record was made at less than that speed - that happened ofen.

The short answer to your topic line is "Yes."

I don't know what key this arrangement is written in, but the recording checks at Ab major, which is a very likely key for a big band arrangement in this era, and the tempo seems just about right for "Star Dust" as it's usually played. So I essentially agree with Edisone.

Note: Concert Ab major (key of four flats) puts the Bb transposing instruments (trumpets, clarinets, tenor saxes) in the key of Bb (2 flats), which is a very comfortable key for these instruments.

It sounds fairly close to the right speed.