The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just decided to change my avatar text to one of the 'rules' from the HMV cover from the early 20s ("allow instrument to run whilst winding"). I thought it would be interesting to put the rest of the suggestions here.

1. Disuse is bad for the machine

2. Don't wind spring too tightly. Allow instrument to run whilst winding. Stop when spring offers resistance

3. When starting a record, allow turntable to make several revolutions to attain an even speed, then gently lower needle to outer rim of record and push into first groove

4. SPEED IS IMPORTANT as it vitally affects the reproduction. Occasionally test the speed of your machine, as shown on the Indicator. Ask your dealer to demonstrate to you "His Master's Voice" instantaneous Speed Tester, which has been specially designed and produced in recognition of "His Master's Voice" Records being played at the correct speed. Don't interfere with regulator unless an adjustment is necessary.

5. The sound box is very finely adjusted and should be handled with great care. Avoid the slightest injury to the Mica Diaphragm on which the reproduction depends. If it should be accidentally dropped heavily, or receive a hard knock, don't attempt to repair it yourself, but return it to your Dealer for repair.

6. If motor becomes sluggish, lubricate the bearings of all moving parts with "His Master's Voice" special oil, and the worms of the governor and turntable spindles with "His Master's Voice" special grease.

7. Keep leathers which play on governor friction plate well oiled. This will promote smooth and uniform running of turntable.

8. Never use a steel needle twice. Avoid cheap needles, they ruin your records. Always use "His Master's Voice" needles - Steel, Tungstyle or Fibre.

9. Keep Records free from dust and grit; wipe them over with a "His Master's Voice" Cleaning Pad before playing.

More Records are rendered useless by lack of care in storing and handling than ever become worn out by actual playing. Records are often dumped in a pile, the majority without envelopes or covering of any kind, which pile has to be constantly shuffled through each time a record is wanted.

Under such a system breakages are inevitable, while the constant friction scratches the surface and impairs reproduction.

By the aid of "His Master's Voice" Record Filing Cabinets, Storage Albums, and Carrying Cases, your records can be kept orderly and free from harm.

A pretty good run - they managed to get "His Master's Voice" references in there only 7 times!

photo came up better than I expected:

And these were no idle advices either. Most 78s were worn out not by the amount of times that they were played, but by just the reasons that HMV mentioned. When handled carefully a shellac record will last for a long long time. I've played some of mine repeatedly on my acoustic machine and never noticed the slightest wear. Even not when I played then on my modern equipment. But then I used only high quality steel needles, had a perfectly restored soundbox and changed needles after every side. Of course I didn't play my rarest records on it. I had some of which only one or two copies world wide were known. Some were rejected test pressings, others were catalogued issues that had been withdrawn because of technical problems after issue. No problem nowadays, a big issue then.

I love those 1920/30s HMV sleeves. They also had that series with famous artists posing with their machines. HMV used high quality paper anyhow. If you delve through a box of 78s most sleeves will be damaged. But most HMV sleeves will still be intact. Mind you, they were not cheap. Where most other companies charged 1s6d (1,50 guilders in that period) per record, HMV still wanted 2s6d for their plum label. Only when they seriously lost out on customers did they come out with a cheaper label, the magenta BD series. But by then Decca was firmly established and had most of the 'pop' music in its portfolio. HMV, aka EMI, would remain one of the major names in classical music, but completely lost it in the 1930s by sticking to conservatism.

I always found it interesting that HMV recommended to "allow instrument to run whilst winding", yet Edison recommended that the spring be fully wound before setting the turntable in motion.
I've always done it the HMV way.

gramophoneshane wrote: I've always done it the HMV way.

Me too, Shane. I like all that spring energy to be able to go somewhere and not 'snap'.

recordo wrote:
5. The sound box is very finely adjusted and should be handled with great care. Avoid the slightest injury to the Mica Diaphragm on which the reproduction depends. If it should be accidentally dropped heavily, or receive a hard knock, don't attempt to repair it yourself, but return it to your Dealer for repair.

I wonder where I can find myself a local HMV dealer and how much do they charge for repair?