The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm just starting out and want to get into the habit now of keeping a discography.
I'm thinking of making an Excel spreadsheet.
Is there an online service?
I'm thinking of those times that I'm at my record store and want to remind myself if I have a selection or not.
Besides artist and catalog number, what info is collected?

I thought about doing that some time in the past... however, never got around to it and now it would be impossible. I used to rely on my memory, but that isn't working as well as it did. Don't worry about whether or not you have a certain title, just buy what you like and eventually you will find that you have multiple duplicates of the same record, which gives you the chance to compare them and keep the best copies... (at least that's what I tell myself when I find I have six or seven copies of the same record...).

Case in point!

Separate listings for each main category i.e one for opera & classical vocal, one for dance & jazz, etc. etc.

Being pre-computer my lists are typewritten, regularly added to, and kept in ring binders. When I am out looking at records I rely on my memory, which is still pretty reliable given that I am in my 70th year. The worst that can happen is either acquiring a duplicate or passing up a record which I thought I had but didn't.

What is Excel? What is a spreadsheet? I neither know nor care .

Is there typically an effort made to keep track of catalog numbers and label style?
I'm reading the Collectors Guide To Victor records in an attempt to understand the system but am thoroughly confused.
There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to the way they kept track of their recordings.

What the hell is the difference between a catalog number and a "matrix" number?

Is there a good online Victor label cheat sheet that I can have with me when I'm picking at my record store?

I created an Excel spreadsheet with multiple "sheets", each with its own label corresponding the manufacturer's name.

There is a wonderful online source for dating many "78" recordings, here:http://78rpmrecord.com/discog.htm AND here:http://www.78discography.com/

Other sources for information can be found, and one widely and highly regarded site is the UC Santa Barbara Cylinder Audio Archive, here: http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/

Generally speaking, the catalog number refers to the record "title" being distributed by the company selling an artists work, and the matrix number more specifically refers to the actual recording. There can be multiple recording "takes" issued under the same record title and catalog number by a company.

Best,
Fran

fran604g wrote: Generally speaking, the catalog number refers to the record "title" being distributed by the company selling an artists work, and the matrix number more specifically refers to the actual recording. There can be multiple recording "takes" issued under the same record title and catalog number by a company.

Best,
Fran

Thank you for clarifying.

I am probably in the minority - but I keep 2 lists. One is by manufacturer, the other by performer.
I enjoy asking questions like:
How many Cameos do I have?
But I also like:
Gee, how many Andrews Sisters titles do I have?
Of course, when people see I collect 78s, they usually have a blank stare.

I just use a very large spreadsheet with everything in it. One thing I regret is only keeping the song titles for the A sides though...

bfinan11 wrote:I just use a very large spreadsheet with everything in it. One thing I regret is only keeping the song titles for the A sides though...

That example is very helpful... thank you!
A few questions for clarification if you don't mind:
What does the double xx in column 1 denote? Is that just a personal notation rather than record info?
Are the numbers in column 2 your own inventory numbers?
And if so, why not keep your list alphabetical by artist name instead? I'm not suggesting that you should mind you, just want to learn why you more experience guys do things a certain way.
Column 10 that has either (mostly 1) or 2, what does that indicate?
I am only trying to get a better idea of what info that collectors keep track of.
I would rather begin keeping all permanent info now rather than regretting latter.