The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

(J.M.J.)

Proper speed control setting for 77.60rpms finally?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNvmU5l2NE0

Sounds pretty close, maybe it could run a tad slower.


Kind of hard to tell through the wobbly pitch. Maybe it's an off centre pressing, or there's something wrong with your gramophone.

(J.M.J.)

Hey, what kind of wobbly sound are you hearing, on my computer I don't hear any wobbly music on this recording. BTW/ New gaskets in sound box reproducer, turntable spins freely, spring motor recently overhauled, new spring in onr of the two barrels, vcan't imagine a machine problem. Needle Medium tone thighten at common length in, not loosened, record grades conservative VV+ condition. Don't know what you mean----Wobbly pitch sound???? Expalin further or check your computer sound system???
BTW/ A typo showed this wrongly as far as rpm speed, should read 76.60 rpm not 77.60rpm. Sorry.

(J.M.J.)
No Wolfe, It is not an off-center pressing, that is seldom a problem anyway with a Victor Red Seal, Have you ever seen a Victor Real seal with an off-center problem? But let me know about the wobbly effect some more, i cna't tell what it is. 76.60 rpm is correct speed, not 77.60 as per typo.

I mean the pitch is fluxuating a bit on that record, there's a 'wow' on it.

Could be the way YouTube is loading on my computer too, no worries.

Yes, I have seen the occasional Red Seal that isn't pressed true, though it hasn't been often.

Digging up my source on Caruso records indicates a speed of 76.00 rpm as 'correct' for that, so you're right about in there.

(J.M.J.)

Wolfe, i just checked the record by playing it on my electric Califone with a strobe that shows true 78rpm, and then backed it down a tad to approx. 76.60rpm and I heard no "wow", and i think it was about as close as my Fox speed control was set, could maybe have been a tad off but close. BTW/ Wolfe, Thanks to "Ortho_Fan" on this board I have now found out, finally what a relief, that my Fox Phonograph playing this record on the video was manufactured in Chicago 1916-1919 by Mandel which closed in 1921 but made this model only till 1919.
Or possibably, Thanks to "roaring 20s" post on another board, it was parts purchased after they went out of business in 1921. The parts were being sold yet in 1923 by Mandel Phono Parts Co. in Chicago? Louis and Nathan Mandel.