Help: Salvaging an old record

Subject: Salvaging an old record
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 May 00 - 04:50 PM

jeffp's discovery of his grandmother's poetry got me thinking about an old record I have of my grandmother singing "Only Me". It was done on a home recording machine about 1947 on a red vinyl record. Unfortunately I think one of my brothers used it for target practice and it has about 5 major dings. I can only play parts of it. My question is: Does anyone know of a recording studio capable of salvaging this onto a tape? I know it can't be perfect but playable would be nice.

Subject: RE: Help: Salvaging an old record
From: Pene Azul
Date: 10 May 00 - 05:15 PM

There's a site called Nipperhead Antique Phonograph Site that might be useful. It contains a nice looking  links page.

PA

Subject: RE: Help: Salvaging an old record
From: John in Brisbane
Date: 10 May 00 - 07:28 PM

Hi Sinsull, this sounds like a job for the experts. If you were in Australia I would refer you to the National Sound Archives in Canberra (it now has a fancier name).

In days gone by skilled operators could do minor micro-surgery through a microscope on the vinyl/bakelite grooves. I read about this years ago in a copy of Audio.

Since that time I've also read that computer guided lasers can now track the grooves without physically having to interfere with the record itself. There's an Australian guy who has performed absolute miracles on old 78's for our Government owned ABC, but I suspect that he concentrated mainly on dramatically restoring the music content as opposed to allowing the record to track properly. I'll wait for some further responses geographically closer to you. Regards, John

Subject: RE: Help: Salvaging an old record
From: Pene Azul
Date: 10 May 00 - 11:15 PM

Here are The Phonograph Ring and the Wolverine Antique Music Society. I haven't found the answer to your specific question in these or the above link, but they may be good starting points for contacts and/or links. I have some old home recorded records too, so I'd be interested in any answers you find. I'll keep looking.

PA

Subject: RE: Help: Salvaging an old record
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 May 00 - 08:41 AM

Thanks John and Pene. I will let you know how I do. Pene, your name makes me nervous. Mind if I call you Richard? (think about it).