The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

“On This Day in the History of Recorded Sound…”

March 16, 1925: Recording date of the first Victor electric recording to be issued (in the April 1925 supplement): Joan of Arkansas, by the Mask and Wig Glee Chorus (Directed by Nathaniel Shilkret).

https://www.antiquephono.org/#/

They suggest use of the Tungs Tone needle? Isn't that a big needle?

Brand wrote: Mon Mar 16, 2026 9:09 am They suggest use of the Tungs Tone needle? Isn't that a big needle?

No. It is a very fine tungsten wire locked into the tip of a larger diameter needle holder. That's why it looks like a big needle to you. I use a magnifying glass (jeweler's loupe) to see the wire on the end.

Interesting how they suggest using the Tungs-tone needles.

Victor must not have seen the importance of releasing its first electrically recorded record. "Joan of Arkansas, by the Mask and Wig Glee Chorus"? Wouldn't you think they would have chosen a title with more popular appeal to showcase their debut of the first electrically recorded release??

Jerry,
I believe Victor was keeping the introduction of electrical recording on the down-low so that stocks of older acoustically-recorded discs would keep selling. Once Victor Day's hoopla made the new records and machines known to the world, older Victors/Victrolas and records would be cleared out at bargain basement prices.

Did anyone notice how I used 3 cliches in this post?

George P.