New to Collecting - Advice on Maintaining 78s?

Hi everyone! I am hoping this is the right place for this discussion but my apologies if I'm off-topic. I am very new to record collecting (about a week! aha. I'm a long-time toy collector, though), and I was hoping some more knowledgeable and experienced record enthusiasts may be able to offer me some guidance. I have been reading as much as I can, but I'm afraid I've dove into collecting head first and am not learning as quickly as I need to be!

I have been wanting to collect records for some time, so when my record-collecting uncle agreed to lend me his new record player I jumped on the chance without actually having any knowledge about records, or even having ever listened to them before. It was very silly of me but I've been having great fun and I've definitely got the bug now. The records are lovely and the act of playing them delightful. However, I have one very obvious problem that is causing me more distress than anything else - the record player I have borrowed is a Crosley (you may cringe, it's alright. I dislike it too aha). Obviously it's a pretty terrible machine (especially for audiophiles!) but having no previous experience with what records are supposed to sound like, I have been enjoying it anyway. I find myself noticing it's obvious flaws more and more every day, though, especially the more I learn, and I'm horrified that it might damage my new collection of 78s, which are currently my pride and joy, and which I would very much like to preserve.

Firstly, as I'm sure everyone knows, the plate (platter?) is plastic. Very cheap, warped plastic. It does not spin true, and lifts up on one side with every rotation. This seems to be fine with lightweight vinyl LPs (and none of my LPs are particularly worth preserving anyway), but with the heavier 78s, you can hear it scuffing/scrapping when it rises. The platter also has no mat.

It's also only got an LP stylus/cartridge, and I'm concerned it might be hurting them, since it's not the correct size (or weight, I would imagine). I'm still learning so I can't just order a new stylus right away because I don't know what to get yet.

In summary, will I damage my my (post-1930s) 78s by playing them on a cheap reproduction turntable until I'm able to get a better one?

Obviously my goal is to eventually have a nice set up, but I can't just wish one into existence immediately, unfortunately! But I'm happy to put off playing the 78s until that happens if they're at risk of harm.

 

In terms of the 78rpm disks:

• Don't drop them!
• Store them on their edge, not flat. Don't let them drop on the edge as they could chip.
• Keep alcohol away from them - it will dissolve the shellac (this included many cleaning solutions which would contain some alcohol of solvent)
• I wouldn't play them on a gramophone.

A 78 stylus has a larger diameter than a microgroove (LP) stylus. So your LP stylus will play lower in the groove, and would probably sound a lot noisier.

The RIAA equalization built into your phono amp was designed for records produced from the late 1950's, earlier records (incl. 78's) used different equalization. There are some specialised phono preamps which have eq suitable for 78 reproduction. I believe that our host Steve is happy to use the RIAA. The eq will affect the tonal balance.

If you use a stereo cartridge (on a turntable better than the Crossley) push the mono button on your amp when playing the 78's or mono LP/singles. If you don't have a mono button on your amp get an rca mono switch adaptor or double-y rca cable so you can play back in mono. This will improve the sound and reduce noise. There are several threads on this forum about these topics, the search function should find them.

Some other hints:

• Get a better turntable
• Look at some of the websites dedicated to 78 playing
• Enjoy the music!

 

projects can play @ 78rpm & will not damage your 78s & change the supplied ortofon stylus to a 78 version
clean 78s with organic cleaning fluid ( do not use alcohol based cleaners )

 

I'd be concerned about the platter warpage. If it ran true, it may not be the worst thing in the world, 78s were designed to handle some abuse... but like you said, it's a Crosley. I'd make sure to at least be using the proper stylus, which is available but it means you won't be playing LPs or 45s on it (probably for the best, really)


As for the records themselves. Keep them clean. A little soap and water goes a long way with 78s. Avoid wetting laminated discs, and avoid using any alcohol-based solutions on shellac. Learned that one the hard way. Storage is really the main thing. Buy new quality sleeves for each disc, clean them and insert them into new sleeves. This keeps them clean and makes handling/storage less of a chore. If you have any records stored in old albums, just be careful that the discs don't slip into the binding before flipping through the pages.

 

querty basically gave you the definitive answers. I'd stress that you should not play any records on the Crosley, not 78's, and not Lp's. It'll ruin them. It isn't the platter so much as the tonearm and stylus arrangement. The geometry is wrong and the stylus is crap. Buy an older turntable that has 78 speed and then get a new cartridge mounted and aligned on it by someone who knows how. You'll need at least a cheap old receiver and a pair of speakers to connect it, but it'll sound way, way better than any "record player".

I'd buy a jug of distilled water and put a few drops of dish liquid in it, maybe a good six to ten drops. That will clean up the crusty old 78 records and rough Lp's. Since the 78s are very hard and brittle, you can't drop them or they will crack or shatter. I learned the hard way that you can't even clean them o a semi-hard surface with any force. I pressed down while scrubbing one on my mattress when i was a kid and the thing broke in half. You need to use a hard work surface such as a desktop or counter top with only a single layer of a towel a a double layer T-shirt between the surface and the record. that'll support it fully so that you can scrub it a bit, but I'd still be cautious about using too much pressure. Lp's are more durable there but I'd still use the same surface to clean those.. Store them upright like books in a library, not flat in a stack.
-Bill

 

It's great that you are enjoying what you are hearing.However with a decent turntable and the right cartridge/stylus you will be taking quantum steps in reproducing the sound.Are you damaging your records?Beats me I never owned a Crosley,but they sure have a bad reputation in collectors circles.
All the advise given so far is a good place to start,I only would add that if you can wait,get your self a good set up before you get too deep.

 

If you haven't already done so, at least get a 3 mil 78 stylus for it until you get something better to play your records on. It will definitely sound (a little) better and be better for your records. If you play 78s on your Crosley (shudders) using a proper 3 mil 78 stylus, you are not likely damaging them. 78s were made in an era when most record players tracked in OUNCES instead of grams. I however would not play any LPs of 45s you care anything about on it, though.

 

Thanks for all of your advice, everyone! I am reading it all and taking it to heart!

Don't worry, they are being stored safely at the moment! Upright in a good clean, sturdy box with a padded bottom, paper between all the records (they came to me without sleeves or in dreadfully musty, damaged sleeves that really can't be used, and it'll be a little while before I can get some), and padding again in behind to make sure they don't lean. I got that far on my own, aha. So far I handle all my records on the floor with a soft blanket down as well just in case anything slips! They do need a bit of cleaning, though (they were not treated so kindly in their previous homes), so I thank you for that suggestion of distilled water, @KT88! I had forgotten there was such a thing, but was a little too nervous to just try tap water on them. I have a distiller so that should work nicely! I will be sure to clean them on something hard, as well. Not breaking them is of course a top priority, aha.

I'm surprised by the consensus that the Crosley would be damaging to any kind of record! Or, well, not surprised exactly since I'm well aware it's dreadful, just... perplexed that a product really could be that terrible to be harmful for it's intended use. I'll be sure to not put anything else in it that isn't already damaged and worthless, and give my Uncle the heads up. I myself am looking into vintage turntables for my first, something from the sixties or seventies perhaps, because I like the idea of having an authentic "vintage" sound. But yes, the stylus ought to come first! I'm going to check out some local record shops after this weekend and see if they have anything (or if they at least won't laugh me right out of the store!) before I consider ordering one online. It's probably quite silly of me, but I prefer to conduct my business in person if possible.

 

78 cartridge/styli are very specialised, so I think you would be unlikely to find a retailer who stocks them. You will have more luck online. Styli are available for the Stanton 500 (aka Pickering) and some Shure cartridges, Ortofon also make one.