The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have some Vocalion sleeves for the red Vocalions that claim "red records last longer." Any truth to that? Any particular reason they make that claim?

Well, the color certainly has nothing to do with longevity. There were various shellac compounds used, and the formulas were often trade secrets. Some compounds were meant to be superior and others were meant to cut costs. I haven't played enough Vocalions to compare their relative durability.

Just a simple observation tells me that they have lasted exactly the same length of time as their black shellac competitors - at least so far... Unless there were as many red Vocalions made as black shellac - if that is the case, then I don't think they have lasted as well, since there aren't as many red Vocalions in existence now.

Wolfe wrote:I have some Vocalion sleeves for the red Vocalions that claim "red records last longer." Any truth to that? Any particular reason they make that claim?

In my experience this claim is correct. I have accumulated a number of red Vocalions exactly for this reason - in our days it is easier to find a good sounding red Vocalion than a black one, which empirically points to them being more resistant to wear than their black counterparts. The reason certainly lies on the specific chemical compound used to make it, and may or may not be linked to its color.

I have also some red Perfects, but not enough to be able to compare with black Perfects. The Perfect pressing was not perfect though, their surfaces frequently are uneven and dimpled.

Jerry Donnell called the red records "sweet potato records.A salesman told him in 1934 that was what they were made from.Of course,he was pulling Jerry's leg! edisonplayer