Comments on: A Diversion Into the World of 78s

By: Susan Caba

Susan Caba — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 17:30:45 +0000

I’m interested in finding out more about 78s. My father-in-law left a large collection of records–all packed in the books as someone described above. Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby, Art Tatum, Decca, Columbia, Bluebird, Victor, and others I can’t recall at the moment. The records appear to be in very good condition though, as I said, no covers. I’d be interested in finding out more about their values. I’m going to have to go through and index them all, and take photos. They are all in plastic sleeves, and then in paper sleeves. About 10-12 books full. My email is santabgirl@gmail.com, if anyone wants to reach me directly.

By: Rob Godridge

Rob Godridge — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 10:52:24 +0000

That Tiny Parham stuff is pretty amazing, also mckinney’s cotton pickers. I found a uk copy of milenberg joys once at a carboot sale, I’d never heard of them at the time, that record just amazed me, it was one of the first original jazz 78s I’d found at that time.

By: Geoffrey Wheeler

Geoffrey Wheeler — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:52:28 +0000

With the right playback equipment, a 78 can sound great! In mid-January, I attended a collector bash where in the evening 78s were played round-robin by attendees. Some of the records were astonishing for their sound. Most were from the 1920s. I don’t think there were any Louis because they are too well-known to vintage collectors, especially the OKehs. There some Moten Victors but no Tiny Parham, which surprised me, because he had such a great band.

By: Geoffrey Wheeler

Geoffrey Wheeler — Wed, 25 Feb 2015 03:27:29 +0000

78 grading is different than LP grading. In descending order, 78 grading is: N, N-, E+, E, E-, V+, V, and V-. Below that means a really scratchy, dirty record. While “V” in LP grading is considered good, in 78 grading, it signifies a less-than-desirable copy. 78 albums are called “book” albums because they have “pages” (leaves or liners) analogous to a book. A few record sets were issued in boxes with covers (example: Bessie Smith on Columbia, 1947). But these proved to be awkward, and unappealing to consumers. The way to pack 78 albums for shipment is to remove the records from the album, sleeve them separately, and pack them well so they won’t shift in the box.

By: Rob Godridge

Rob Godridge — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 19:18:38 +0000

As a 78 collector I guess I’m almost the opposit of you guys.
I read this blog because I’m interested in records, what sells and what doesn’t, and while I wouldn’t collect modern jazz lps really I have plenty of the ojc records and it’s not like I don’t love the music.
I do wonder though, how often do you guys listen to some of the classic stuff, say louis armstrong’s hot 5 or 7 records, a bit of bunny berigan, jelly roll morton etc?
I got a pretty amazing collection of 78s some years back including a bunch of miles davis on uk esquire, stuff like that, lots of bird in there too but all uk issues.

By: Clifford

Clifford — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 16:27:38 +0000

the pink and black label on the first BNs is pretty sick.

By: Rich (DG Mono)

Rich (DG Mono) — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 05:00:52 +0000

Man, I sure would love to listen to Thelonious Monk or Charlie Parker 78s on a Califone. By the way, the audio clips for the Monk 78s sound stellar–I’d say that record was worth it for 89 bucks.

By: don-lucky

don-lucky — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:21:02 +0000

…Still looking for a decent 78rpm copy of Blue Note BN2 (Albert Ammons – Boogie Woogie Stomp) with the pink and black label myself if anyone out there in 78 land has an extra copy and is looking to sell !