Is anyone listening to OLD 78's?

Between everyone in my family (the "older" generation) I will end up with many, many 78's. While I don't listen to them now, I do plan on building a Lenco to give me that option. My Teres will not play them either. I have played some of then on my aunt's console, just to see what they sound like.

I think there is a whole different sound out there waiting to be revived. And to think: I used to melt them down to make black shellac!

I set up an old Dual 1209 turntable with a Grado mono 78 cartridge just for that purpose. The groove width is much wider on 78s, so you need the correct cartridge/stylus assembly to play them properly. The Equalization is different too -- bass is stronger and treble more rolled off, but that didn't cause too big a problem for me.

Also, many 78's are not recorded exactly at 78rpm; they range from around 74rpm to around 82 rpm depending on the label and time of recording. So, a turntable with a pitch adjustment is a good idea if you have a large collection.

It's really neat to hear some of those old recordings despite the increased noise that goes along with them. It's very nostalgic and always puts me in a good mood. Some folks maintain that the sound quality of 78s is actually better than the LP with it's narrower microgroove cut and slower speed.

You might want to stop playing them on your aunt's console if it doesn't have a decent arm or cartridge. And of course if you decide they're too much bother I would happily give them a good home. :)

Needledoctor.com sells a Stanton TT specially for 78's with cartridge for $250. which I plan to get soon. Don't know if it is adjustable for speed. There is a lot of good though obscure music out there on 78's available nowhere else.