Good for you, Steve. If your modern turntable has a flip over cartridge, the 78 stylus will play these records without damaging them although they may not sound as good as they could. Sometimes you need a stylus that is 3 mil or larger. I think the flip overs are more like 2.7 mil. Your Victrola can be used to play them occasionally if the tone arm moves smoothly and you have had the reproducer rebuilt. Mainly what is done is to replace the hardened gasket material on either side of the mica diaphragm. You should use a fresh steel needle for each play and then discard it. Use the can with the hole in the lid. Ron L -----Original Message----- From: phono-l-bounces at oldcrank.org [mailto:phono-l-bounces at oldcrank.org] On Behalf Of Steve Atkins Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 6:08 PM To: phono-l at oldcrank.org Subject: [Phono-L] A New Collector I have become the guardian of what would seem to be a rare collection of '78s. If the information is acurate, these discs were part of a collection owned by a newspaper columnist in the mid-west, who reviewed these recordings as they were published. The current owner of this collection also has the Victrola on which they were first heard. Some are 12" discs, some are 7", many are single sided, which leads me to believe they may have been demos issued to review or broadcast before distribution. Some of the patent dates are before the turn of the century. I'm still in the initial documentation stage. What little research I have done has stressed caution when attempting to actually play these recordings. So, I'm refraining from allowing them near the turntable without some further advice. I have learned that the 78 rpm speed is only the beginning. The consumer phono I own, no doubt, is without the specialized needle required to preserve the surface and dignity of these grand old performances. In fact, some of the labels warn of damage if played more than once on a single needle. Eventually, I'll want to rent, borrow or obtain a device deemed safe to transfer these recordings. I live in the Portland, Oregon area (USA) if you have any suggestions. Thank you Steve _______________________________________________ Phono-L mailing list Phono-L at oldcrank.org Phono-L Archive http://phono-l.oldcrank.org/archive/ Support Phono-L http://www.cafepress.com/oldcrank