The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

(Double-click the video above or click this link to watch the video on YouTube in HD.)

Yea, so I had a viewer, tell me my Victrola was playing to slow. Five years, not one complaint! Machine has a speed indicator that supposedly, shows 78 rpm’s, but is not 78 rpm? I have never noticed this before?

It is unlikely that both the indicator and the phone app would be off.
Your machine is not slow, or at least not much, and anyway, what of it?
(With apologies to Damon Runyon.)
Hoodoo

Hoodoo wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 5:34 pm It is unlikely that both the indicator and the phone app would be off.
Your machine is not slow, or at least not much, and anyway, what of it?
(With apologies to Damon Runyon.)
Hoodoo

(Double-click the video above or click this link to go to the video on YouTube.)

Here is the video, where a viewer said it was too slow.

Paul

Everybody's a critic. Sounds like it is at the right speed to me. Cringeworthy material, though.

gramophone-georg wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 8:25 pm Everybody's a critic. Sounds like it is at the right speed to me. Cringeworthy material, though.

I haven’t had any other complaints? Yea, i will admit the record is a bit much. I don’t have it anymore.

Edisonfan wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 8:33 pm

gramophone-georg wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 8:25 pm Everybody's a critic. Sounds like it is at the right speed to me. Cringeworthy material, though.

I haven’t had any other complaints? Yea, i will admit the record is a bit much. I don’t have it anymore.

It wasn't a complaint as much as an observation. See, I TOLD you everybody's a critic! Right?

gramophone-georg wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 9:14 pm

Edisonfan wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 8:33 pm

gramophone-georg wrote: Mon May 20, 2024 8:25 pm Everybody's a critic. Sounds like it is at the right speed to me. Cringeworthy material, though.

I haven’t had any other complaints? Yea, i will admit the record is a bit much. I don’t have it anymore.

It wasn't a complaint as much as an observation. See, I TOLD you everybody's a critic! Right?

Yes Georg you were right! I guess it was just an observation.

Hi-- So I did a very unscientific test on your "Chicken Pie" video-- but likely similar to how it may have been done in many homes in the late 1910's and 20's.. I started counting revolutions at the 1:00 mark and counted until the 2:00 mark-- For what its worth- I got 72 revolutions for that minute-- It does sound slightly on the slow side to me as well.

I've always played my own machines/records "by ear"---- whatever sounds good-- But when I repair machines for others, I use a digital rpm meter to match the actual speed of the record to the speed indicator when set to 78. Some folks are more concerned about extremely accurate speed than others, so I try to accommodate. I know there were variations in speed when records, particularly earlier records, were recorded... So 78 isn't necessarily the correct speed for all "78 rpm" records.

I don't have the discerning ear that many folks have, so 72...75..79..80 As long as it sounds clear and reasonable, I'm happy.

Brad Abell

Paul,

You really have two questions.
1. Is the record playback speed correct?
2. Why doesn’t the needle indicator point to 78 if the turntable is rotating at 78/min

The first question can be answered by tuning the record to a known musical source or by comparing it with the work of trusted transcription engineers. At the time Victor recorded “Bake dat Chicken Pie” the recording standard was pretty well controlled at 78/min
The Historical Library at i78s.org pitches this record (take 1) at 78.3/min. A properly pitched and cleaner transcription can be found here:

https://i78s.org/preview/10c1085ecacf99 ... c587e6998a

The second question can be answered by reading the Victor Owners manual. RTFM is a wonderful thing! Below are instructions for adjusting the indicator. Victor suggested checking the calibration four or five times per year. The instructions are still valid today. There is no excuse for having a machine that is out of adjustment. Yes, a hundred year old Victrola can be calibrated so that the indicator needle gives a close approximation of the turntable speed.

The manual describes using a slip of paper to count the revolutions, your iPhone application seems another valid way. Victor supplied a stroboscopic paper disc for speed checking for a time in the mid 20’s, it was discontinued when it was found to violate a patent. See the Victor Executive Meeting notes at the Hagley museum for this discussion.

I hope these servicing instructions will put you on the right track. Thanks to Peter at Nipperhead.com for the manual page scans.

Mark

Well...
An actual useful thing to use an iPhone for.