Phonoland

Do 78s from the 1950s have a different groove width than earlier styles? Seems like those I have from the 50s sound better with an LP needle (ceramic cart) than with the 78 tip.

Many late '50s 78s are vinyl instead of shellac, but use the same large groove as older 78s.

Maybe you are playing a fresh portion of the better grooves made by late '50s cutters, in an area not damaged by heavy 78 rpm player cartridges.

There are some 78s with microgrooves, but they are rare. Most of them were made in the late 1960s or in the 1970s.

And some small-diameter 78s were made with the 2.5 mil groove of a radio transcription.

Edison records have smaller grooves and play better with the LP needle.

Depending on the manufacturer,very early 78s (pre-electric before 1925) not only had different size grooves but also the actual speed could vary from about 65 RPMs up to 85 RPMs. Also the materials used to produce the records were quite varied. It did not become an exact science untill electric recording came into being. There were also lateral and vertical cut records that are not compatible with each others reproducers. There is much written on the internet about these records and it is fun and interesting research.

Most of what I've got (post-war that is) are Aladdins and Specialties. They don't feel as heavy as the earlier shellac, but neither do they feel like vinyl.

Dewey wrote:Most of what I've got (post-war that is) are Aladdins and Specialties. They don't feel as heavy as the earlier shellac, but neither do they feel like vinyl.

Go to
http://78rpmrecord.com You will find alot of useful inromation about the different types of 78s that are out there.

Thanks SJ, I could flip through these old 78 sites all day (especially the ones that have pics!!).