Yes - it's true!

 

https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/ye6298

That , Sir is stunning .

That , Sir is stunning .

 

Exactly.  Who'd have thought 78s were still pressed as late as 1967, let alone by someone like Desmond Dekker?

Is there any footage any where of 78's being made ? I've googled a couple of times and come up with nothing . Burning question now , is the plant needed to make 78's still in existence ? I was told at Leicester record fair once that 78's were still being produced in India and China ? any one confirm.

Apparently, Sharmo, 78s were still being pressed in the Phillipines, Brazil and India as late as 1966 (maybe later, who knows?).

 

I don't know if this is of help.  Some of this video shows Prince Philip visiting Decca's pressing plant in 1957, and how 78s are pressed (I think).

 

PS - there's no sound with the film.

 

https://www.britishpathe.com/video/prince-philip-visits-decca-factories/query/joy

Edited January 14, 201411 yr by Gene-R

Just can't understand why this even exists as a 78, six years after most countries stopped making them.

Just can't understand why this even exists as a 78, six years after most countries stopped making them.

 

Apparently, the reason 78s were still being pressed in India in the mid-60s was to serve people in parts of the country which were poorly served by electricity, and had to still rely on portable wind-up gramophones.  I wonder if this was the same in other far Eastern and African countries?

Maybe to cater for those who only had 78 players Pete.

Some people still only have Black & white TVs but not for much longer!

Very strange gene how on earth did you find this

Very strange gene how on earth did you find this

 

Karl, I post 78s and 45s on 45cat, and its sister site 78worlds, and whilst I was browsing the forum one day, I turned this up.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing!

Edited January 14, 201411 yr by Gene-R

Gene you never cease to amaze me especially when you were the one out of us lot who got the majestics , we were all jealous dude

Gene you never cease to amaze me especially when you were the one out of us lot who got the majestics , we were all jealous dude

 

Those were the days, Karl!  Glad you've got back in touch after nearly 30 years as well!  

Edited January 14, 201411 yr by Gene-R

Maybe to cater for those who only had 78 players Pete.

Some people still only have Black & white TVs but not for much longer!

 

78 only players?  What, from the 40's?

78 only players?  What, from the 40's?

 

Countries like India were still producing portable gramophones well into the 1960s, like the one in the pic below.  I believe Thorens made the springs.  In fact, all the reproduction gramophones that sell over here on places like Ebay are still made in India today!

I thought i was going back in time trying to get a garrard deck original sound man style

I thought i was going back in time trying to get a garrard deck original sound man style

 

Karl, you can still get a decent Garrard 4HF on Ebay occasionally.  I got mine from there 8 years ago for £55 (they're quite a bit more now), but had to pay over £300 to recondition it, as some of the rubber flex was disintegrating, and it needed a greasing and general service.  I mounted it on an old Goldring GL75 plinth, and to this day it's still my main turntable at home (pic below).

 

As far as I know, Jah Shaka still uses one when he plays out.

Goes to show there are some real gems out there.

Being a shaka ite thats exactly why i want one , trust you to have one bet you got a technic as well , seriously though thats beautiful dude , where did u get it revamped looks new

Being a shaka ite thats exactly why i want one , trust you to have one bet you got a technic as well , seriously though thats beautiful dude , where did u get it revamped looks new

 

Visually, it was near perfect (bar a little tarnishing to the chrome arm), so that didn't need seeing to.  The technical maintenance was carried out by London Sound in Raynes Park, West London.

 

https://www.londonsound.org/

 

Never had a Technics turntable, though that would be my next weapon of choice!  What I love about the 4HF is that it has 4 speeds, which means it also plays 78s (ideal for my Vera Lynn collection! ).

Edited January 14, 201411 yr by Gene-R

Got any veras ...... Luvly

Apparently, Sharmo, 78s were still being pressed in the Phillipines, Brazil and India as late as 1966 (maybe later, who knows?).

 

I don't know if this is of help.  Some of this video shows Prince Philip visiting Decca's pressing plant in 1957, and how 78s are pressed (I think).

 

PS - there's no sound with the film.

 

https://www.britishpathe.com/video/prince-philip-visits-decca-factories/query/joy

That was interesting that chap smashing the ols 78's up didn't seemed bothered by a lot did he ? The machine with the rollers is a Banbury calendar and are still used today I think Quinvey on here used to work one at the old Wardle Storey's plant in Earby. thank You.

The Beatles 78's from India are worth a small fortune

That was interesting that chap smashing the ols 78's up didn't seemed bothered by a lot did he ? 

 

They were obviously factory rejects, though at the same time I'd hate to think what future rarities would have been amongst that lot!

The Beatles 78's from India are worth a small fortune

 

Yep - certainly in the higher three-figure sums.  Beatle 78s weren't just pressed in India though, but also in:

 

Argentina

https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/75202

 

Phillippines

https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/pal60263

 

Colombia

https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/nco300938

 

....and, of course, India

https://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/r5084

Edited January 14, 201411 yr by Gene-R

And for those who have yet to hear a Beatles 78 playing:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kCkrVN6w3A

Visually, it was near perfect (bar a little tarnishing to the chrome arm), so that didn't need seeing to.  The technical maintenance was carried out by London Sound in Raynes Park, West London.

 

https://www.londonsound.org/

 

Never had a Technics turntable, though that would be my next weapon of choice!  What I love about the 4HF is that it has 4 speeds, which means it also plays 78s (ideal for my Vera Lynn collection! ).

 

 

Would love a garrad 4hf myself but they are silly money now a freind of mine builds period valve sounds systems and has garrards.

Would love a garrad 4hf myself but they are silly money now a freind of mine builds period valve sounds systems and has garrards.

 

You can probably get a 4HF on Ebay in reasonable nick for about £150 without a plinth.  Obviously the Garrard 301 and 401 really do go for a king's ransom, but the 4HF does at least come with its own tonearm!

 

One here actually:  https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GARRARD-4HF-H-IDLER-DRIVE-TURNTABLE-WORKING-/121253412240?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item1c3b443d90

Edited January 14, 201411 yr by Gene-R

There is the other advantage of 78s, they have a monster sound unlike anything else.
I could think of a few 45s that would sound incredible on 78.

There is the other advantage of 78s, they have a monster sound unlike anything else.

I could think of a few 45s that would sound incredible on 78.

 

Absolutely - due largely to both deep grooves and the fast speed they play at.

Amazing what you can find on a 78!

 

https://youtu.be/7NDEr4ZI8Wc

 

In this case, an unreleased recording from The Ramblers, a group* that would evolve into the Fabulous Playboys and The Falcons.

 

* Background on the group(s) known as The Falcons & The Ramblers: https://www.uncamarvy.com/Falcons/falcons.html

even motown had a dabble in shellac (via the Phillipines)