And one of my favorites from that era...



 

Thanks, David, for reminding me of those beaut recordings.

I listen to Bings 1933 recordings often either digitally, on LP or 78. I believe it’s his finest year as a vocalist. 

Colin Bratkovich wrote:

Yes, I have all the American Brunswick originals. Warning to younger or curious collectors-if found-Make sure you use the correct needle, or you will ruin them.

Are there differing thicknesses of metal needles to play certain 78rpm pressings, Colin? 

Ian / about 78rpm record speed needles/
The short answer is that the needle should be heavy enough, yet firm enough to navigate grooves, more so differing from later 45prm & 33.3 rpm speeds/ That said, NEVER use steel needles. Old phonographs of the pre-1930s with steel needles should be avoided. Some old records look beat up, yet play great, without groove damage Others look great, until you play them-the inner grooves are damaged from needles. / The record players of the latter 1940s-50s usually had a 'flip' needle, used for either 78PRM or for both new 45rpm & 33.3 speeds. / Numerous records were ruined forgetting to 'flip' Later 1950s commercial record players would drop the 78RPM speed with a flip needle for MONO or STEREO...Using the wrong 'flip' was again a poor choice. Yet another needle was also developed just for the 45RPM speed, although for most the same needle was good enough for both. The latter 1960s found companies like SHURE, with mounted tips with separate needles to attach to cartridges even more, for high frequency powered record players-something common by the late 1960s.You can still purchase these specific needles../ For myself, after bothering with all that, I found an old latter 1940s "flip" mono record player, plugged into my high-end receiver, exclusively for playing or recording 78PPM records. It sounds great! /I would also caution to NEVER use rubbing alcohol to clean 78s,45s, LPs. /