My New Rather Expensive Hobby...

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artcurus

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Odessa
What's so crazy is that I don't even LIKE 78 rpm. But watching that black, yellow and Specialty label spin. And don't even get me started on Sun and Jerry Lee Lewis.

 
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Yeah, it wouldn't let me edit. Should have been more clear.

What I mean is that I have a rather large collection of 45's. I never really liked 78's, too brittle and the sound, while can be very good, falls apart quickly on a poorly cared for record.

However, for some reason, I'm really digging these Little Richard 78's. It's fun watching that Specialty black, yellow, and white label spin on the turntable. Plus it freaks my 20 something cousin right the hell out, who has just discovered vinyl and has never seen anything like a 78.

The problem comes in with the rarity of original label/original artist 50's R&B, like Little Richard on Specialty and Jerry Lee Lewis on SUN. Jerry Lee Lewis can easily fetch $120 miminum.

There's a lot Canadian/UK pressings (Quality, London, Etc), but it's just not the same.
 
I think there size makes it more impressive than a 45. I got my '52 rock-ola box just cause I like the wood cabinet for in the house and it actually sounds great with original amp and speaker. Have fun but dont waste money:) I'm going to get new reproductions with newer rock tunes later to switch around cause 78's weren't my era...
 
There's a guy that's selling deadstock jukebox 78's on Epay right now. I have to admit, I've been impressed, and most of his records appear to be in very good shape. Though they aren't the orginal labels, (again, Canadian/UK pressings)

Many major 50's hits.

 
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78 rpm records

i see 78s at my local thrifts on occaison-i only have a few 78s to play on my '32 gloritone radio/phono and my '46 philco HiFi.A local shop once had a 1938 wurlitzer jukebox they were playing 78s on,but the needle was badly worn and ruining the records they were playing in the jukebox-black bakelite dust all around the turntable!
 
I had a decent collection of 78s for years.  I started in 1969 when you could find them for a nickel or a dime each.  Got myself a floor model Victrola to play them on for $30 that same year.

 

I wasn't listening to them much anymore and the Victrola was a large item taking up valuable space, so I added it and all of my records to the merchandise of my mom's estate sale back in 2008. 

 

I have a 1960 Rock-Ola and prefer collecting 45s for it.  They're smaller, thinner, not as brittle, and have better sound quality than 78s.  There's also the small detail that Bill mentioned above.  78s pre-date the music I was listening to on the radio when I was younger.

 

Then again, you're not likely to find any Hal Kemp, Leo Reisman or Isham Jones hits on 45s either.
 
Artcurus-- I remain a big fan of the 78-rpm format, even after parting with my collection. The large grooves and 78 speed allowed for a big, loud sound. Of course, those attributes were accompanied by a fair amount of inherent surface noise and the inevitable scratches, pops and clicks of repeated plays...but I still have a nostalgic fondness for those brittle, old discs.

I love the music from that era as well, and there some really fantastic classical recordings along with all the great pop, jazz, and easy listening. I even had a "Learn French" set, which was fun.

Unfortunately, I was moving frequently at the time and tired of dealing with boxing and schlepping them from one apartment to the next, so I gave a bunch away and took the remainder to an antique shop, figuring they'd find loving homes.

On the upside, I have many of those great songs thanks to iTunes. They sound so different without all the surface noise! The most difficult album to replace was eventually found as a Russian import on CD: Rachmaninoff's 2nd Symphony in e-minor by the Minneapolis Orchestra under the direction of Dmitri Mitropoulos. That version remains my favorite to this day.

Anyway, enjoy your new hobby...and invest in some good, strong shelving, LOL.
 
I luv 78s

Problem with so many people is they never heard a brand new old stock 78,they sound better than most 45s,plus you have to have a good machine for playback.I have a huge 1935 Capehart,I play it alot my friends are so amazed at the sound and clear loud volumn.Of course during the war alot of records were melted down and reused as tires etc.Needles were in short supply,folks used them till they were blunt as a coat hanger and they ruined many records.Guy on e-bay sells Nos 78s Bartrade is his name,I have bought many from him .Victor orthophonic recordings were great first electric amplified recordings.Also Just Victor and Bluebird. Good Luck Bobby
 
Surface Noise

The majority of 45s in my jukebox are thrift store finds.  They range from well worn to nearly pristine.

 

The copy of Elvis Presley's melancholy ballad, "That's When Your Heartaches Begin" has scratches and pops that, for me, only add more character and sentimentality to the song's sad story of betrayal.  I wouldn't want to listen to it any other way.

[this post was last edited: 12/19/2014-15:12]

 

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