[78-L] Average age

[Dave at Audio Tech Transfer]

Greetings from Big Wonderful Wyoming!

At 53, I'm probably close to the "average age."

Although I'd been collecting LPs since the late '60s, it wasn't until five years ago that I bought my first 78.  I'd purchased a lot of 1,200 records and about 250 of them were 78s.  Most were more common Pop & Classical, but there were also some very interesting Blues and R&B from the early '50s, and a bunch of Billie Holiday records.  So naturally I had to acquire a turntable with 78 rpm capability.  I found a three speed BSR and fitted it with a Stanton 500.  When I started spinning those 78s, I was absolutely amazed at how good they sounded.  In the past few years I've upgraded to a Technics SP-15, a variable EQ phono preamp, and an array of six styli for spinning 78s.  I now have about 6,000 discs.  About 25% of them are white label promo vinyl pressings in beautiful shape.

I was spinning some near mint Phil Harris and Louis Prima discs earlier today.  Great stuff.  I recently cleaned up a pile of Edison Diamond Discs and have been enjoying those.  Can you believe that some muttonhead obviously played a few of these Edison discs on a Victrola?  Totally destroyed the grooves.  :-(  However, some of these Diamond Discs are among the best acoustic recordings I've ever heard.

My continuing exploration of music from a long by-gone era has been fascinating and very rewarding.  78s are a much cherished part of my collection.

Dave Rose
"Cactus Cowboy"
Powell, Wyoming