The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Okay, so i got called out for holding a 78 record incorrectly, in one of my videos. Because, my thumb was on the grooves. I was told I shouldn’t do that as the oil from my hands would make the sound quality not as good. From holding a 78 with my thumb on the groove? Seriously? I have 78’s in my collection that the sound quality was so terrible do to over playing with a steel needle. Also, these records were man-handled more so, before i got ahold of them.

Anyway, sorry for ranting but come on?

People on the internet complain about literally anything and everything. Just ignore them and move on.

You’re right, i should. Thank You!

This is probably the best single reason to frequently wash your hands other than coronavirus! I don't necessarily encourage touching any part of a record other than the label and outer edge, but these records have been around for at least 60 years...if all it took to ruin them was the occasional thumbprint, they would have been destroyed looooooong ago

beat_truck wrote:People on the internet complain about literally anything and everything. Just ignore them and move on.

I can not understand people who see something and have to always find something wrong. People put in an effort to display or write about something and instead of enjoying it they pick it apart for something minor or spelling mistakes. It has happened to me too so to those people skrew you. I do not let it bother me any more. I just think the people are ignorant and want to seem intelligent. Tom

Wow, I just don't think my ear is sharp enough to pick up on the sound degradation caused by oil from a finger print. In fact, considering the condition of the majority of my records, I'd say a thumbprint is the least of worries.

Literally the whole point of 78s is that they're more durable than vinyl. I used to have vinyl records: the Victrola was an improvement!

Probably the same people who complain about playing records on a acoustic machine (even if it’s period correct for the machine) will rip them up. Yeah, if you use a steel needle more than once on a unrestored soundbox maybe. Granted, I wouldn’t play any Beatles Indian 78s or a Charley Patton paramount on one either. But if they play a Sousa record on a 1910 machine and follow the rules, they’re not hurting anything.

Edisonfan wrote:Okay, so i got called out for holding a 78 record incorrectly, in one of my videos. Because, my thumb was on the grooves. I was told I shouldn’t do that as the oil from my hands would make the sound quality not as good. From holding a 78 with my thumb on the groove? Seriously? I have 78’s in my collection that the sound quality was so terrible do to over playing with a steel needle. Also, these records were man-handled more so, before i got ahold of them.

Anyway, sorry for ranting but come on?

Your armchair critic probably thinks that 78's are made of vinyl and has never heard of shellac .

Edisonfan wrote: Because, my thumb was on the grooves.

Was that a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down review of your record?