[78-L] Flexo Record questions

[Malcolm Rockwell]

Sounds to me like they're trying to have the user shape the steel (or 
whatever) needle somewhat before playing the record. Makes sense, kinda, 
maybe. But wouldn't playing the runout first cause the needle to shape 
along an angle of rotation - albeit minor, maybe 1/2 a degree (?) - that 
would not face the groove when the record is then played from the 
outside? Theoretically that might cause an angular burr on the stylus 
and thus cause MORE damage to the modulated groove than using the run in 
groove to break in the needle.
Just thinking out loud.
Malcolm

*******

On 3/15/2014 6:41 AM, Dave Burnham wrote:
> That seems strange!  Surely the runout groove is usually played after a needle has played the record.
>
> db
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Mar 15, 2014, at 11:45 AM, "Ron L'Herault" <lherault at verizon.net> wrote:
>>
>> Seems to me Victor Tungstone needles recommended the runout as well.  That
>> way you are dealing with grooves that have not been damaged as much by worn
>> needles and you have little  danger of getting into the good part of the
>> disk while trying to prepare the needle.
>>
>> Ron L
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
>> [mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of
>> neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com
>> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 11:15 PM
>> To: 78-L Mail List
>> Subject: Re: [78-L] Flexo Record questions
>>
>> Yes, that much I know but did not state clearly in the post. What I hadn't
>> seen was instructions to wear the thing in properly at the end of the record
>> before playing. Why not at the beginning? Seems like an inconvenience. Would
>> the inside grooves be any different? (Other than slower surface speed.) Or
>> does this refer to a center start record?
>> (which Flexo did make, I have learned)
>>
>> So I assume Flexos were produced in pretty much the same way as any other
>> record, just the record material is different. Maybe a little quicker to
>> cool in the press...
>>
>> js
>>
>>> On 3/14/2014 9:43 PM, Ron L'Herault wrote:
>>> Probably to wear it to the right shape/"deburr" it.
>>>
>>> Ron L
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: 78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com
>>> [mailto:78-l-bounces at klickitat.78online.com] On Behalf Of
>>> neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com
>>> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 6:13 PM
>>> To: 78-L Mail List
>>> Subject: Re: [78-L] Flexo Record questions
>>>
>>> Come to think, I did see a 16" Flexo at Kurt's once upon a time. I
>>> don't remember what it contained. I do recall that it seemed rather
>> curled.
>>> The label and the little insert that I discovered after I posted do
>>> say that a new steel needle is OK, but not one that has been used
>>> previously on a shellac record. It also suggests letting it ride thru
>>> the quiet inner grooves just a little bit before playing the record
>>> (outside start). Never saw this before.
>>>
>>> joe salerno
>>>
>>>> On 3/14/2014 3:14 PM, David Lennick wrote:
>>>> They did indeed do vanity records, radio transcriptions (imagine a
>>>> 16-incher..I've transferred one), promos, giveaways, and I don't
>>>> think the steel needle did that much damage. Warped edges are more of a
>> problem.
>>>> http://78rpmrecord.com/flexo.htm
>>>>
>>>> dl
>>>>
>>>>> On 3/14/2014 4:08 PM, neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com wrote:
>>>>> Just acquired my first Flexo Record. This is a 10" record "Recorded
>>>>> and Produced by UNITY SCHOOL OF CHRISTIANITY (Record Dept.) 917
>>>>> Tracy, Kansas City, Mo.
>>>>>
>>>>> Original sleeve too, although it is torn. "Play With New Steel Needle"
>>>>> it says, and "Keep Record Lying Flat"
>>>>>
>>>>> 406-A is A MESSAGE OF JOY In My Neighbor's Garden (Nevin) Piano
>>>>> Interpretation by Mrs. Arthur Comstock. 406-B, by the same
>>>>> performer, is A MESSAGE OF PEACE Adagio from Sonata Pathetique
>>>>> (Beethoven)
>>>>>
>>>>> I haven't played it yet.
>>>>>
>>>>> Is this a vanity record? Why produce a vanity record as a Flexo
>>>>> instead of the usual shellac? I assume this is not breakable, and
>>>>> has a  quieter surface. Other advantages?
>>>>>
>>>>> Would a steel needle not wear out such a record? It certainly is
>>>>> soft, and  apparently warpable, hence the admonition to keep it
>>>>> lying flat. It also is translucent, reminds me of a lacquer, except
>>>>> there is no
>>> base.
>>>>> I have a hard time imagining that such a record would survive long
>>>>> under a steel needle.
>>>>>
>>>>> Joe Salerno
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> 78-L mailing list
>>>>> 78-L at klickitat.78online.com
>>>>> http://klickitat.78online.com/mailman/listinfo/78-l
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>> --
>>> Joe Salerno
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>> --
>> Joe Salerno
>> _______________________________________________
>>