Wanted: Victor 19671 Record-Paul Whiteman & Orchestra

[hearsedriver]

I am searching for Victor 19671 record by Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra.
Side A : Honey Im in Love With You
Side B: Charleston
Must be in E condition or better. Thanks, Cliff

[gramophone-georg]

Cliff, that's a tough and expensive one to find in any condition. Thought for sure I had an extra but I don't.

I also wanted to let you know that is an early electric recording still on the batwing label. Don't know if you were aware of that or not. I am just pointing that out because you have a Victrola IV with an Exposition reproducer, which was never designed for electric recordings. If the gaskets and/ or back flange in/ on your reproducer are old/ hard, and if that reproducer is out of adjustment, you will wear out a very expensive and sought after record very fast.

Even with the Exposition 100% in order, you'll need to use a soft tone needle only,and you may still get some blasting due to the limitations of that reproducer. A Victrola #2 would be better, but a Victrola or HMV non pot metal No. 4 will really perk things up for electrical recordings, and it's just a question of exchanging reproducers- no modifications required.

Meanwhile, if you'd like a recording of the Charleston that's not electrically recorded look for a copy of Isham Jones' "The Original Charleston" on Brunswick 2970. The nice thing about this record is the flip side is "Sweet Man", another hot Charleston clone number- styled as a "Charleston Fox Trot" on the label. I may be wrong about it not being electric, I just reviewed it on my Dual 1009 and it has just a very slight hint of bass. It plays great on the Victor 5 with Exibition and the Vic 1 with Improved Concert reproducers, though, where the Whiteman one has so much "input" it blasts.

[hearsedriver]

Wow! Thank you for that thorough reply! I am a bit ignorant when it comes to the electrically vs. non-electrically recorded records. Generally, if it an expensive record, I use a bamboo needle, thinking that they are easier on the records. Is that a good way to approach playing the more modern recordings on my old IV or IX ? I figured I would have to pay up for the Whiteman recording of Charleston however, I am a fan of Whiteman. I will definitely look for the Brunswick recording though!
I have rebuilt the Exhibition reproducers on both of my machines and they seem to perform fine. I enjoy both of them. The IX is a really fine machine with surprisingly good tone. I like the simplicity (and weight) of the IV.
Again, thanks for your reply!

[52089]

There are no copies for sale on ebay at the moment, but recent sales are in the $35-%50 range, with a "mint minus" scroll copy over $150. Definitely not your typical 25 cent Salvation Army find!

[gramophone-georg]

Wow! Thank you for that thorough reply! I am a bit ignorant when it comes to the electrically vs. non-electrically recorded records. Generally, if it an expensive record, I use a bamboo needle, thinking that they are easier on the records. Is that a good way to approach playing the more modern recordings on my old IV or IX ? I figured I would have to pay up for the Whiteman recording of Charleston however, I am a fan of Whiteman. I will definitely look for the Brunswick recording though!
I have rebuilt the Exhibition reproducers on both of my machines and they seem to perform fine. I enjoy both of them. The IX is a really fine machine with surprisingly good tone. I like the simplicity (and weight) of the IV.
Again, thanks for your reply!

OK, good to know. Yes, the fiber needles will hide many sins, LOL, but doubtless one day you'll want to invest in a Victrola 4 soundbox or maybe an Orthophonic or viva tonal portable or tabletop.

I'm a huge Whiteman fan, too, not so much because of just Paul personally, but because I am a Tram and Bix fan, as well as a fan of the Dorseys, Teagarden, and Gershwin/ Grofe/ Seusse and the other great arrangers/ writers/ players that passed through this band.

It irks me when people dismiss Whiteman as "not jazz"... it's just foolishness. Even before the apex of the Tram/ Bix/ Bing era you have "Charleston" and "Whiteman Stomp", two of the hottest Jazz records out there. Even a lot of the huge band Columbia sides were Jazz trendsetters.

[gramophone-georg]

There are no copies for sale on ebay at the moment, but recent sales are in the $35-%50 range, with a "mint minus" scroll copy over $150. Definitely not your typical 25 cent Salvation Army find!

Interesting- I've never seen a later Scroll pressing. I have a mint Batwing Electric, and if my wife knew what I paid for it I'd be her ex.

[Victrolacollector]

That sure is a hard one to find, I have been collecting for 30 years! I have never seen this record in the wild. I have seen copies from time to time on ebay, which can fetch far more than a typical record, even the Diamond Disc version by the Golden Gate Orch. has fetched over $ 150.00.

I know the Vulcan cylinder company had a 4 minute cylinder copy at one time, however it does not appear on their site any longer.