The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have been handed a stack of 12" records that my friends grandfather recorded in 1950. They are produced by 'Recorded Sound Ltd' Piccadilly and appear to be an aluminium disc with a thin black coating that has the track. I can tell the base is aluminium as the surface is flaking at the edge revealing the metal. The labels state 'use trailer needles' (which I note that Mike 'Soundgen' has in his ebay listings). Can I just use these in instead of BCN's in my EMG soundbox. Does anyone have recommendation for down force on needle tip as I do not wish to damage the records more than they currently are. Thanks, Iain Warner

In my experience the safest way to play these acetate records is with modern turntables. I tried both thorn needles and steel ones and the results ranged from destruction of the playing surface in some of them, while others played with no apparent degradation. There is really no way to anticipate what is going to happen to the grooves when utilizing gramophones on these records.

Carlos is right, I would never risk acetate records on anything but a modern turntable with a lightweight pickup. As far as I’m they will suffer from wear more quickly than vinyl, since the lacquer coating does not have the same properties as that of vinyl. Most acetate records are therefore not as tough as vinyl and you would not play vinyl records on an acoustic machine.

jamiegramo wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 9:04 am Carlos is right, I would never risk acetate records on anything but a modern turntable with a lightweight pickup. As far as I’m they will suffer from wear more quickly than vinyl, since the lacquer coating does not have the same properties as that of vinyl. Most acetate records are therefore not as tough as vinyl and you would not play vinyl records on an acoustic machine.

Unless you're a blissfully unaware Ebay seller!

CarlosV wrote: Wed Apr 22, 2026 7:59 am In my experience the safest way to play these acetate records is with modern turntables. I tried both thorn needles and steel ones and the results ranged from destruction of the playing surface in some of them, while others played with no apparent degradation. There is really no way to anticipate what is going to happen to the grooves when utilizing gramophones on these records.

I agree with you, Carlos. I tried once over 30 years ago and never again. If you want to play acetates, you definitely need a lightweight electrical pickup.

Thanks for the advice. Will try playing them on my 'modern' turntable (ie 1970's!)
Iain