I recorded quite a few fairly modern 78's on an old player which did have the right speed - but the records were in a bad condition - a trick which might help is to, first wash the record - they can get really dirty - then make up a strong solution of washing up liquid and coat the recorded area of the record LIGHTLY before playing - sometimes the second playing is better than the first as more dirt is dislodged.

When recorded either throw the record away or wash off all the detergent, dry the record off and store away only after airing to ensure no dampness is left on it. Putting the record back in the sleeve along with the detergent layer - just don't.

I found this takes out some of the unwanted extra noise and can even overcome small scratches, or at least change it from a jump to a click.

Don't use expensive stylii for this - and using modern ones on the old heavy records just cuts a furrow - not advisable. Do it once if the words, not the recording is the important thing. Take the weight off the stylus so it just plays rather than ploughs.

Anne