Page 1 of 2
Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 12:31 pm
by emgcr
Has anyone any experience of these products ? Looks like vinyl but...……..?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Custom-Made- ... OSwlw1dupi~
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 1:57 pm
by kirtley2012
Looks interesting, though for the price I'd hope for a little more information or background, or sound examples
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 3:09 pm
by poodling around
The label design reminds me of Polydor ?
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 2:04 pm
by emgcr
I asked the company for full details of their operation and what materials they use for shellac records, suggesting that vinyl was not the thing, and got a one line reply :
"The material is a hard molded plastic similar to bowling ball material. Very durable."
Hardly encouraging, given the price they are asking ! Has anyone tried one of their records ?
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 4:20 pm
by donniej
I'll bet its the same polyurethane I use to make Diamond Discs with. It works ok with a steel needle below around 75*F.
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:02 am
by emgcr
Thank you for that Don and thank you also for being so open about all your caveats, operations and processes---greatly appreciated. Your approach and very helpful attitude is quite the opposite of Custom Records it would seem.
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:21 am
by Orchorsol
It would be interesting to examine one of their discs and see whether they're actually cutting or embossing a coarse (78) groove in the first place, or not.
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 8:36 am
by donniej
Orchorsol wrote:It would be interesting to examine one of their discs and see whether they're actually cutting or embossing a coarse (78) groove in the first place, or not.
I believe I saw a video of one of their records being played. The steel needle is set in the run-out area in the center and run for several seconds to dull it a bit, then the record can be played. It tracked just fine.
Cutting a 78 groove in vinyl (PVC) isn't very difficult with a heat lamp and a good sapphire stylus.
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 9:00 am
by Orchorsol
donniej wrote:Orchorsol wrote:It would be interesting to examine one of their discs and see whether they're actually cutting or embossing a coarse (78) groove in the first place, or not.
I believe I saw a video of one of their records being played. The steel needle is set in the run-out area in the center and run for several seconds to dull it a bit, then the record can be played. It tracked just fine.
Cutting a 78 groove in vinyl (PVC) isn't very difficult with a heat lamp and a good sapphire stylus.
That's interesting Don. I tried to find a UK dubplate cutting facility able & willing to cut a 78 groove a couple of years ago but couldn't find one.
Re: Custom-made shellac (?) 78 rpm records.
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 10:38 am
by donniej
Orchorsol wrote: I tried to find a UK dubplate cutting facility able & willing to cut a 78 groove a couple of years ago but couldn't find one.
Some places will cut a 78 that will play on a 1950's jukebox but it's *really* hard to find someone who has the right feedscrew for 120lpi, 3mil sapphire and has the patience to set the proper depth of cut. I couldn't find anyone capable so I ultimately bought my own vintage lathe and learned how to use it.