Re: [ARSCLIST] Playing a "flexi disc"

[Richard Warren <richard.warren@xxxxxxxx>]

Hello All,

Soundscriber discs had square holes so that they wouldn't slip when 
being recorded (by cutting styli). (Much of my information comes from 
experience or from Dick Burns, who worked at Soundscriber about 1940).

Richard

At 04:19 PM 7/17/2007, you wrote:
> Richard Warren wrote:
> > Dear Barbara Need,
> > If the disc is translucent green vinyl, it may be a Soundscriber 
> > disc. These were 33.3 rpm microgroove, so you should try to play it 
> > as if it were an LP. Pray that it hasn't warped; if it has, you may 
> > need to send it to someone with excellent equipment and much experience.
> > Sincerely, Richard
> > At 02:59 PM 7/17/2007, you wrote:
> > > I have been asked to get a digital transfer from what I believe to 
> > > be a "Flexi disc" (thin green plastic /vinyl disc with a square 
> > > hole). The only complication is that, as far as I can tell, these 
> > > were LPs and, therefore, no earlier than 1948. The date on the 
> > > disc, however, is '43. We have an osmium stylus (which we use for 
> > > 78s)  and a diamond stylus (which we use for LPs). What stylus 
> > > should I use for playback? (And if you have recommendations for 
> > > adding to my stylus supply, I would welcome that as well, though I 
> > > may not be able to do anything about it just yet.)
> > >
> > > Barbara
> > >
> > > Barbara Need
> > > Manager
> I've seen very thin flexible orange and yellow discs which were used 
> for home disc recorders in the 40s..don't know why this one would 
> have a square hole, unless the original hole was too tight and 
> someone has enlarged it. If it's one of these home cuts, it would 
> probably play at 78. Does it look like a factory product with a 
> printed "label" or might it be a home cut?
>
> dl