The Shure SC 35 cartridge can take quite a bit of weight and is excellent for playing warped discs, but only with the SS78E stylus, not the pathetic little N78S they brought out as its "replacement". For years I used a Grey Research Arm with a flat-top head, which was great for adding coins and not having them bounce off. For extreme cases, a Dominican Republic half dollar worked wonders. dl Malcolm Smith wrote: > 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. > > 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 >> > >