posted on December 14, 2006 08:12:57 AM new
I am finally at the bottom of my record pile. I have some really old records. The ones I am having problems researching are vinyl on one side and brass? copper? on the bottom. They have hand written labels. Does anyone have a contact that is willing to allow me to pick their brain? Thanks ahead of time
posted on December 14, 2006 08:59:58 PM new
Paloma: We know a guy whose entire apartment is vinyl records. But I can't get a contact e-mail for him until tomorrow morning. I'll try then.
posted on December 14, 2006 09:15:36 PM newpaloma:
Did ye mean to say "hand written labels?"
Perchance yer records were from "arcades" or home-made whosits?
"The first home phonograph disk recorders were introduced by RCA Victor in October 1930. These phonographs featured a large counter-balanced tone arm with horseshoe magnet pick-up. These types of pick-ups could also be "driven" to actually move the needle and RCA took advantage of that by designing a system of home recording that used "pre-grooved" records. The material that the records were made from (advertised as "Victrolac" was soft and it was possible to somewhat modulate the grooves using the pick-up with proper recording needle and a fairly heavy weight placed on the pick-up. The discs were only six inches in diameter so recording time at 78rpm was brief. Larger size Victor blanks were introduced late in 1931, when RCA-Victor introduced the Radiola-Electrola RE-57. These machines were capable of recording at 33 1/3 rpm as well as 78 rpm. One could select to record something from the radio or one could record using the hand-held microphone. The RAE-59 sold for a hefty $350.00 at a time when many manufacturers had trouble finding buyers for $50.00 radios.
The home phonograph disk recorders of the 1930's were expensive machines that few could afford. Cheaper machines, such as the Wilcox-Gay Recordio line, were sold during the late 1940s and early 1950s. They operated at 78 RPM only and were similar in appearance to (and not much larger than) a portable phonograph of the era. One 1941 model that included a radio sold for $39.95, approximately equivalent to $500 in 2005 dollars. The fidelity was adequate for clear voice recordings.
In the past (approximately from the 1940s through the 1970s), there were booths that let the user record their own voice onto a record, when money was inserted. These were often found at arcades and tourist attractions alongside other vending and game machines. The Empire State Building's 86th floor observatory in New York City is one of the locations which had such a machine for a long time." ~ from Wikipedia
posted on December 14, 2006 11:31:43 PM new
Rhoadie, Thank you VERY much. Any help would be greatly appreciated
Tom! THANKS! I think that is what I have. I have the portable phonograph player too (Duosonic Model 201)! That and these weird records that are slightly smaller than todays (or yesterdays) 33 1/3's were with some old old 78s These vinyl records are vinyl on one side and thick but smooth brass colored metal affixed to the bottom of them. I have almost an entire box full! I guess fotos would be good about now, don't you think?
posted on December 15, 2006 02:10:34 PM new
They could also be initial recordings. You need to research what is on the hand written label and perhaps listen to them. There could be something important... like the Velvet Underground early recordings (nice publicity that it was a joke bid).
was soft and it was possible to somewhat modulate the grooves using the pick-up with proper recording needle and a fairly heavy weight placed on the pick-up. The discs were only six inches in diameter so recording time at 78rpm was brief. Larger size Victor blanks were introduced late in 1931, when RCA-Victor introduced the Radiola-Electrola RE-57. These machines were capable of recording at 33 1/3 rpm as well as 78 rpm. One could select to record something from the radio or one could record using the hand-held microphone. The RAE-59 sold for a hefty $350.00 at a time when many manufacturers had trouble finding buyers for $50.00 radios.