The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've noticed that Columbia briefly had feed in grooves on their Viva Tonal records.This occurred in numbers in the early 2200-D's.How long did Columbia do this?edisonplayer

It would've been on Columbia's 10 inch records in numbers between 2200-D and 2300-D.I don't know about the 12 inch. Any comments on this? edisonplayer

Well, 2200-D was recorded in May 1930 and 2300-D September 1930, so it's a short span. I have a couple of them, the two that immediately come to mind is Smith Ballew's "You're Simply Delish" which was recorded October 1930 released on 2320-D, so 2300-D is not the correct cutoff. "Memories of You" by Ethel Waters is the other one recorded in August 1930 and released on 2288-D. I have never seen a 12 inch Columbia from that period with a lead in groove, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

Sean

This is new to me. I've never seen a Viva Tonal with a lead in groove. I thought that came much later, but I'm not saying they don't exist.

marcapra wrote:This is new to me. I've never seen a Viva Tonal with a lead in groove. I thought that came much later, but I'm not saying they don't exist.

I have several- they exist. As another poster pointed out- this just lasted for a few months in 1930. I also have never seen a 12" with this feature. Seems the lead- in groove became standard in late 1935 or early 1936. Seems the eccentric stopping groove became standard across all record brands not too long before.