Q&A

Do you need a special stylus to play 78 RPM records?

Do you need a special stylus to play 78 RPM records?

Answer: Yes, Audio-Technica’s popular AT-LP120-USB and AT-LP1240-USB turntables will allow the platter to play at the 78 RPM speed. But the correct speed is only part of the solution – a proper 78 RPM stylus should also be used when playing 78 RPM records on your turntable.

Are 78 RPM worth anything?

He said that on average a rare jazz 78 might sell for $1,500 to $5,000, whereas sales for a comparable blues record would start at $5,000. Paramount’s blues releases — especially its “race” records with label numbers in the 12000s and 13000s — are among the most coveted records in the world.

Do they still make 78 RPM records?

In just ten years, 78s plummeted to only 2% of music sales. And in 1959, the last US-made 78 record was produced. Not all sales went directly over to 33s, however.

What are the rarest 78 RPM records?

Chasing The World’s Rarest 78 RPM Records

  • Hear a few notable recordings from the 78 RPM era, as picked by guests Amanda Petrusich & Chris King:
  • Geeshie Wiley, “Last Kind Word Blues”
  • Willie Brown, “Future Blues”
  • Skip James, “Devil Got My Woman”
  • Blind Uncle Gaspard, “Sur Le Borde de L’eau”
  • Sylvester Weaver, “Guitar Rag”

What was the last 78 rpm record?

For a long time record collectors thought Fire records 1008, “Fannie Mae” b/w “Lost In A Dream” by Buster Brown, was the last American 78 record. Since then several even later 78s have been unearthed. But this is still a great rock and roll (actually blues) song released in November 1959 and considered a 1960 hit.

How can I play 78 rpm records?

To play 78s you need the following equipment:

  1. A turntable with variable speed adjustment, covering a range from about 60 to 90 rpm.
  2. A good quality tone arm, containing a stereo cartridge, and styli that have been retipped for playing 78s.
  3. An amplifier, preferably one capable of selecting mono as well as stereo.

Which is the best 78 rpm stereo cartridge?

The 100% US-made, Grado 78E is a mono cartridge designed for 78 RPM records. Mono cartridges deliver better sound with lower noise in most situations. It produces a pair of true mono outputs that connect easily to a standard stereo arm/headshell.

Who is the inventor of the 78 rpm cartridge?

All Grado 78 cartridges have a considerable reduction in tip mass resulting in extended frequency response while tracking forces can range from 2-5 grams. The experts acclaim these cartridges as virtually the finest 78-rpm cartridges in the world. Joseph Grado, the founder of Grado Labs, sounds like a pretty interesting guy.

Do you need a stylus to play a 78 rpm record?

For correct playback fidelity of your 78 RPM records you need to use a cartridge with stylus designed for 78 RPM records. A very common misconception is that you can use a LP stylus for playing 78 records. This is one quick and sure way to damage the 78 record groove. Playing it once is enough.

What can a Grado 78 rpm cartridge be used for?

Each cartridge can be used for either archival or casual play without concern for undue wear on the record. All Grado 78 cartridges have a considerable reduction in tip mass resulting in extended frequency response while tracking forces can range from 2-5 grams.