The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Greetings!

I recently opened several plastic storage bins full of Victor Talking Machine records in sleeves and multi sleeve jackets. These were dated back to my grandparents and great grandparents and have not seen use in at least 70 years. In appearance they look in great shape and are mostly opera and classical. My daughter, a mezzo soprano, was over this weekend and was impressed with the collection and the (to her) very recognizable names. We would love to hear these but I am concerned about my lack of knowledge about these old 78 rpm records and I do not want to damage them by playing them on modern turn tables - if that is a concern. Whatever Victor Talking Machine my GGrandparents had was never viewed by me - dating back to the 1950’s. But from what I have read over the last day, it’s a whole nother world to properly play these records on the old talking machines - right machine, right speed, fresh needles, right needle all for the right record. I am hoping that we can enjoy these on current turntables with less worry and without consequence to the records.

Possible?


Thank you and please excuse my ignorance.

No worries playing these on a modern turntable if it has 78 RPM and the correct size stylus.

Yes: as said, very possible. If your family owns one of those radiograms with plastic arm and sapphire tipped stylus, or a contemporary record player featuring the 78 RPM speed and an appropriate 78 gauge pickup/stylus, you can play them without any concern at all.

Thank you!

My son has a recently purchased turntable that plays 78. I may have to purchase one myself. We are excited to begin listening.

If you have the possibility to upload a picture of the turntable, or the ad of the sale if you purchased it online, we will be glad to check for you if the stylus is tipped for 78 rpm record grooves. (In case it's not, it won't damage the grooves anyway, but the sound would be horrible.)

Thank you,

I do not want horrible sound. I am attaching information on my son’s turntable and cartridge.

If I were to buy a turntable new, what would a recommendation be for a turntable and cartridge to get the best playback for these old records?

Your help is much appreciated.

DRT wrote: Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:46 pm If I were to buy a turntable new, what would a recommendation be for a turntable and cartridge to get the best playback for these old records?

You already bought a turntable of very reasonable quality, it's an excellent starting point. You won't get anything "better" than this in strict terms of sound quality out of a 78 RPM record. In the future, you might want to buy a more "phylological" turntable, or even try to play your records on a period gramophone, but that would preminently change the overall listening experience, not the quality in strict terms. However, I suggest that you begin listening with this setup for a while, until you get an idea of how much you are involved into listening to records as old as these.

As I figured, what your setup is missing is a 78-specific stylus. Swapping styli is relatively easy, so in order to get going quickly I suggest you purchase this additional stylus:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATVMN95SP.html

Later, for convenience, you might want to buy a second shell and a second pick-up permanently set up with a 78 RPM stylus.

Thank you,

I just ordered it and I will be visiting my son in a week and give it a try.

I will let you know how it goes. We are looking forward to this!

Sincerely.