The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

With our old bugaboo "shelf shortage" staring me in the face, I have in mind to copy and then "deaccession" a sizeable bunch of jazz 78s that came to me from the family of a college buddy maybe 20 years ago. As a starting point for the experiment, I've chosen Columbia album C-144, "Bix and Tram," which contains late '40s CBS Columbia red label pressings of records originally issued by OKeh in 1927, 1928, and 1929. (Most of the records in this bunch are like that--later reissues, doubtless "hot" musically but not as collector's items.) I enjoy traditional jazz in a casual sort of way, but I'm primarily a classical/opera collector, and my knowledge of jazz records is limited; hence, I have a few questions for those who are better informed.

(1) Are these Columbia red label sets repressings? Or are they dubs? (If the latter, there's a good chance I won't bother with them after all.)

(2) Columbia in that period still regularly recorded at 80 RPM, at least for its classical issues. How about OKeh?

(3) Any thoughts about the best starting point in choosing EQ curves and stylus sizes?

(4) Just to confirm, am I right in thinking sets like this are of relatively little interest to the "serious" jazz collector?

Thanks for any and all guidance offered to this clueless wonder!

Most of the discs in the Hot Jazz Classics series that I've heard are master pressings, with the odd dub scattered in the mix.

For late 1920's recorded on Okeh or Columbia, use the Western Electric EQ curve, unless something else sounds better to you.

Stylus, depends. Speed, I'd go from 78 rpm and adjust up or down as seems appropriate.

These sets may be looked down upon by some for not being original pressings. But they are a good way to get some classic jazz titles (like Louis Armstrong Hot Five) on 78 for less money than clean original pressings go for these days. Those 1940's red Columbia laminated records are not really "Victrola" appropriate though, IMO. Unless you want to wear them unduly.

Wolfe wrote: Tue Feb 07, 2023 6:19 pm Most of the discs in the Hot Jazz Classics series that I've heard are master pressings, with the odd dub scattered in the mix.

For late 1920's recorded on Okeh or Columbia, use the Western Electric EQ curve, unless something else sounds better to you.

Stylus, depends. Speed, I'd go from 78 rpm and adjust up or down as seems appropriate.

These sets may be looked down upon by some for not being original pressings. But they are a good way to get some classic jazz titles (like Louis Armstrong Hot Five) on 78 for less money than clean original pressings go for these days. Those 1940's red Columbia laminated records are not really "Victrola" appropriate though, IMO. Unless you want to wear them unduly.

Thanks!