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Hi, who has a good source of records appropriate for the pre-1925 players. I've read that I shouldn't play records that were produced after about 1935 on my old Brunswick. True or not?

Thanks, Andy

In my experience with the VV-XI, not true. Avoid the late-78 vinyls, however!

Suitable old records to play on your machine are common as dirt and shouldn't be hard to find. eBay offers the greatest quantity and variety and that's where I buy many of mine. Also try flea markets, antique shops, yard sales, and phonograph shows.

Your next question may invite mild controversy. While you can play electrically recorded records (made generally after 1925-1927) on an acoustic phonograph, the results may sound harsh or distorted, depending on the reproducer diaphragm. Specifically, reproducers having a mica diaphragm play better with the pre-1925 records. To play electric records, use a reproducer that has a corrugated metal diaphragm; they were designed especially for electric records. Also, try playing the electrics with a "soft" needle. Finally, be sure the reproducer has fresh rubber gaskets.

I'm very happy with the sound quality from my fully rebuilt and (ahem!) "expertly" adjusted Exhibition, on both acoustic and electric. It sounds especially good on the popular song-jazz-big band recordings of the '30s-'40s. Where it comes up short, alas, is in the classical repertory, especially the large orchestral stuff, where the sound tends to be indistinct and muddled. The limited frequency response of the Exhibition, while not especially a drawback otherwise, is a real detriment when it comes to large ensembles. YRMV!

I have a few extra Brunswick Records that would be appropriate for your phonograph. Send a PM if interested or if you have questions.

Andy45 wrote:Hi, who has a good source of records appropriate for the pre-1925 players. I've read that I shouldn't play records that were produced after about 1935 on my old Brunswick. True or not?

Thanks, Andy

As I have said before on other threads, a properly adjusted and maintained pre-1925 soundbox will not damage electrical records, but it will not reproduce them to their full potential.

Pre-1925 soundboxes with rock hard gaskets and overtightened stylus bars can damage records, and bad experiences with them were the origins of this myth.

Thanks for the responses. I do appreciate it. I have a bunch of 78's already but the date thing is why I asked the question.

Andy

Generally speaking, you will be "safe" playing Victor "arch-label" ( also known by some as "bat-wings" ), Columbia "Magic Notes" label ( blue background / gold lettering ), Early Brunswicks...

You might also successfully play early electrical recordings, such as Victor Orthophonic ("scroll label"), Columbia "Viva-Tonal", and other labels with some sort of "lightning-bolt" motif or the letter "E" on the label.

The electric recordings might overwhelm your reproducer, which will sound like "blasting" or distortion during loud passages... a soft-tone needle can help lessens this...

Somewhere around the mid-to-late 1930's, early 1940's, I have heard it said / read that record manufacturers began to reformulate their disc compounds for less surface noise and less abrasion on the "jeweled" semi-permanent stylii for the newer electric pick-ups, resulting in a "softer" disc, that quickly deteriorates when played on an acoustic machine with a heavy sound-box. Post- WW-II vinyl 78's definitely fall into this category.

What style / model Brunswick do you have ? Can you share some pictures ?

Hi Frank, thanks for the usual thorough reply to my post. As pointed out in an earlier post I have a early 20's Brunswick Model 101, serial number 1008** portable. I can e-mail you some pictures but don't know how to do it to the Board. Maybe you can post them for me? I really like the information I've gotten so far from joining the Forum. Many thanks,

Andy