I assume that you are referring to the arm bouncing because of warp
in the record. Sometimes placing a dime on the top of the cartridge
Will allow one to play the record. The characteristics of the arm and
of the cartridge are both factors in this working or not and how bad
the warp in the record is. I haven't done it but some used to remove
the warp in the record by putting it between two pieces of glass and
exposing it to sunlight. I would think that this should be done with
caution.

More thoughts on the previous subject. In the very early days, say
1900 to 1905, the number of disks that could be produced from a
stamper was very limited and the earliest produced better sound so
there is variation in what would appear to be identical records.
Later issues of early records, the Tamagnos would be a good example
as they were in great demand, usually have poor sound compared to
even somewhat worn first pressings. It's worth trying for early
pressings of these and similar early records though there isn't
complete consistency in this. The sound quality on test pressings
occasionally is very much better that the actual early released disks.

Of course none of this is indicated by dealers ratings though
occasionally a dealer will comment on a rare record sounding well.

Malcolm Smith

On Aug 6, 2008, at 7:59 AM, Trey Bunn wrote:

> Hi everyone...
>
> I have some more questions about the lacquer disk I asked about last
> week. I've started trying to transfer it, but it's skipping badly for
> about the first half of side A. Would it make any sense to try to
> slightly weigh the cartridge down, like with a coin or something? It
> just seems like the thing is skipping pretty high (and the 78 speed
> seems to be contributing to that), so I thought that weight might help
> prevent it. On the other hand, it might make things worse.
>
> I did notice that when I slowed the speed down to 45, it skipped less,
> so I was thinking I might just record it this way and pitch correct it
> in the software. Maybe slowing it down to 33 would produce even less
> skips. But before I tried that, I wanted to ask those more
> knowledgable if that's a good idea or not, playing it at the wrong
> speed. This is a unique recording, and I don't want to damage it
> further.
>
> Barring that or any other suggestions, it might be better to send this
> one out to a vendor. Any takers?
>
>
> ---------
> Trey Bunn
> Audiovisual Conservator
> Emory University Libraries
> Preservation Office
> Atlanta, GA
> 404-727-4894
>