How were shellac records made?

Devoted to discussion of all-acoustic record-playing machines, such as Edison cylinder players, Victrolas, Brunswick Ultonas, and the like. When the Big Blackout happens, this will be the only audio evidence of our civilization (as it is).

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Dr. Groove
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How were shellac records made?

Post: # 3194Unread post Dr. Groove
Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:10 pm

How did they make 78 shellac records? Were they melted and pressed too?
"A dog don't want a bone. That's why he buries it." --James Brown

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emorritt
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Post: # 3219Unread post emorritt
Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:58 pm

Yes, the "mix" - which varied from company to company, even day to day - contained shellac, vinsol, lampblack (soot, for color), china clay and other fillers, and even finely ground volcanic pumice which served to make the record wear the early steel needles and not the other way around. I think the pumice was eliminated in the mid 1930's when lighter weight electric pickups came in to general use. The material was rolled into sheets and calendar-cut into squares. These were heated and folded then placed in a press with the stamper, closed under heat, cooled, then opened and a finished record removed. There is a good video available of an old Milton Cross film made at the RCA Victor plant in either the late 30's or early 40's showing the entire process.

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Dr. Groove
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Post: # 3220Unread post Dr. Groove
Wed Jul 30, 2008 7:08 pm

Excellent! Thanks, e!
"A dog don't want a bone. That's why he buries it." --James Brown

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Dr. Groove
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Post: # 3224Unread post Dr. Groove
Wed Jul 30, 2008 8:55 pm

Wow, get a load of this tutorial!!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hjKlFFp4-IE
"A dog don't want a bone. That's why he buries it." --James Brown

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blacknwhite
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Post: # 6184Unread post blacknwhite
Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:12 pm

emorritt wrote:There is a good video available of an old Milton Cross film made at the RCA Victor plant in either the late 30's or early 40's showing the entire process.
Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xwe-Mt99Dw
Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxhiUgK5gzs

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