The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

jay · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Hello to the Society, I am happy to have found all of you.
I am currently working on re-mastering a colleciton of recordings made on a Sound Scriber during the Second World War.

Does anyone have information on what a propoer stylus might be for playback? Modern stylus seem too sharp and also have trouble staying in the groove. The material is of historical importance and I am working on a radio documentary project that will incorporate this material.

Ideally, I would like to find the correct (or close to) stylus to playback the disks on a modern turntable. I think I may be able to do just that, but what worries me is that the Sound Scriber recorded sound very close to the center ofthe disk and I fear I may have issues there.

There are a few places that transfer from Sound Scriber professionally, but being the artist, documentarian, educator I would rather do it my self, something I am certain most of the members of this list can relate to...

If anyone were able to guide me, I would be really grateful.
Looking forward to learing from the group .

best- Jay

Steve E. · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 12:37 am Post subject:

Would it make sense simply to play it back on a soundscriber?

jay · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

I am thinking of that as I understand that Sound Scribers actually made an impression rather than "cut' into the vinyl.

I am considering buying one, but the condition of older units will be dicey.

cuttercollector · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 303 Location: San Jose, CA

I have 3 unrestored units one of which is older and in a wooden case.
All probably need work. I also have many unrecorded discs. It is my understanding that the embossed records are shallow groove and the arm is somewhat guided on playback, rather more like a cylinder player than a linear tracking turntable if you understand what I mean. I don't know if even the best tracking arm would stay in, much less the dimensions as far as stylus size. I don't even know if they are vertically or laterally modulated.
I think the stylus is rounded more like a ball point pen and records and plays with the same stylus.

jay · Joined: 08 Oct 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for the notes regarding the machines. Are you interested in parting with one ?

cuttercollector · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Posts: 303 Location: San Jose, CA

Yes, just email me off list . Thanks .

diamone · Joined: 09 Aug 2008 Posts: 21 Location: Silicon Valley

see my other post about the stylus being sort of doorknob-shaped like a 2-minute cylinder stylus.

Then there's also Carl Haber who is doing it optically (info posted elsewhere).
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2 Kinds of Men/Records: Low Noise & Wide Range. LN is mod. fidelity, cheap, & easy. WR is High Fidelity & Abrasive to its' Environment. Remember that when you encounter a Grumpy Engineer. ( Very Happy

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