[78-L] Collections, lists^

[J. E. Knox]

Greetings from FixitLand!

Steven C. Barr wrote:

> ...It is very possible that means to play 78's will disappear in a
> few years...leaving the records as unplayable "curiosities!"

Dunno why you keep saying that, Steven...there are quite a number of  
100-year-old Victrolas still floating around (maybe not *literally*  
floating...!), and equipment that can play 78s is currently made and  
available (this gear can connect direct to a computer for transfer as  
well as play through the usual analog audio equipment). Even if  
production of this new stuff ceased tomorrow, you've got some  
percentage of a century's worth of phono production still existing,  
and that's not gonna suddenly drop off the face of the earth. If  
anything is "disappearing" during the next few years, it's us older  
collectors, not the 78s nor the equipment to play them. That said,  
it'd be good to stock up on 78 styli and parts for one's turntable 
(s)...or consider learning the machinist's trade.

For that matter, a phonograph record (particularly a coarse-groove  
one like a 78) can be played (if in "lo-fi") with such rudimentary  
devices as the corner of a 3x5 file card. Not ideal, of course, but  
the record can be "played" so long as it can be spun at a reasonably  
constant speed on some kind of rotating platform. (If one was  
desperate enough to do it, that is.)

Take care,


Joe
--
"No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount  
of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch."-- 
Leo Dworken