[78-L] Long play 78s

[DAVID BURNHAM]

I finally solved a problem I was having playing microgroove records on my 78 turntable and so was able to enjoy a record I found in Philadelphia a couple of years ago which is a 1 mil grooved 78 rpm record.  This record has J. S. Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor on one side, (the equivalent of a 12 inch double sided regular 78), and the Prelude and Fugue in E minor on the other.  Theoretically, a 1 mil 78 should be able to contain frequencies extending out to over 50k, but this is an early 50s recording, (I suspect), so it doesn't appear to sound any better than a good mono LP.  But the surface is quieter than Dolby-A tape.

The other record I was able to listen to for the first time is the Beach Boys 78 which was released last spring.  In case anyone was wondering, this is certainly recorded also with a 1 mil, (or .007 mil), stylus, (no wonder it never played properly on my Credenza).  I don't know what they used as a source for this recording but unlike any LP or CD copy I have of "Good Vibrations", there is no distortion where the bass comes in over the organ chords about a minute before the end.  The "early take" of Good Vibrations is bizarre and if they had released that one, I'm sure it would never have reached number 30 on the hit parade!

db