Addressing the controversy about my Berliner Record

Why I shouldn’t have played this record on my victrola.

[@toonman361]

Live and learn. That's what much of life is about. The best sensible advice I have received on collecting is that we are stewards of the items we own in our lifetime. They go away to another when we do. For myself, that means be sensible, however that may manifest itself. We all go through this.

[@NippersLounge]

Thank you!

[@burmesecolourneedles4680]

Great video. You know what they say about opinions... Mine is that it's FINE to play these occasionally on a good quality gramophone that's well maintained (tonearm free, soundbox/reproducer rebuilt and compliant, motor not bumping) - that's what they were made for! One play under those conditions will give only infinitesimal, negligible wear. Each to their own, though! 😎

[@NippersLounge]

Thank you!

[@Wguy56]

I have a ca. 1905 Victor Gramophone model M. The Exibition reproducer that was original had an aperture for only a round needle. Some years after I bought it, I found an unused like-new Exibition- in its original box- which has an aperture which is triangular. This allows for the use of triangular fiber needles. While the volume is reduced using these fiber needles, they do not abrade the records in any way. I have found many of these needles over the years in boxes of parts for Victrolas, etc. I used to sharpen them with the finest sandpaper but eventually found a scissors-like cutter that perfectly cuts them on a diagonal to a sharp point. Perhaps playing a rarety like this Berliner with fiber needles might be the answer.

[@NippersLounge]

Thank you! However i only played one time on my Victrola, and have not played on there since. I did re-uploaded a video playing it on my audio-technica turntable.

[@mrrgstuff]

I think considering how many times that record will have been played over the years on potentially a wide variety of equipment, I can't see that you playing it on a victrola once will harm it. It's probably been played on a similar machine dozens of times in the past. Thanks 😀 👍

[@NippersLounge]

Thank you!

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

I had a diamond tip needle for the victorola, it played the Pathe records.

[@NippersLounge]

Hadn’t thought about that?

[@tedlawrence4189]

Playing it on a early machine once,is equal to,playing it 1000 times on modern light tone arm & stylus. So you decide if it's worth protecting it for future generations of collectors.

[@NippersLounge]

Considering this record was probably played on a Berliner Phonograph, or other machine before I got ahold of it, dose it really make that much of a difference. Plus who, on earth is going to play a record from the 1890’s 1000 times anyway?

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

But what if it’s something not important like a Uncle Josh record lol

[@tedlawrence4189]

It's not only rarity but condition. I have several worn or cracked Berliners that I use to play on my Berliner. I have Yankee Talk #3 by Stewart. #'S 1&2 are pretty common. It is in nice condition. Not sure exactly what it is worth as there are only a handful in existince. A guess would be $400? I would never play it on my Berliner,even though the phono is worth $15,000. The reason that it is in nice condition is: it was not played to death on an old phono!!

[@oldradiosnphonographs]

@@tedlawrence4189 I meant batwing ,Victor era stuff. I understand pre 1905 not being played but I’m talking more common stuff like uncle Josh buys an automobile. Oh well if I was paying $100 or more for a single record, I’ll play them on my Magnavox instead. I’ll spend hundreds on equipment and audio gear, but if that record costs more than $25-30 I’m immediately turned off lol.

[@digidoridvideos3672]

This controversy is so stupid lol. if you want to reduce wear then put candle wax on the record while it's spining or dull the steel needle by playing a shellac record for about 5 seconds.

[@NippersLounge]

Actually. I don’t play the record that much anymore!

[@digidoridvideos3672]

@@NippersLounge Oh ok lol.