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Were the old AFRS records from WW2 acetate or vinyl?

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May be neither. One way to find out, buy it & see. Report results!:)
 
They started using vinyl for transcription discs rather early-on because vinyl was quieter than shellac.
Also weighed less. A concern when shipping loads around the world.
I think you'd have to look back to the 30's to find true radio transcription discs made of shellac.
Most, if not all AFS discs play at 33 1/3....but many, up till the early-mid 50's, still require a 78 sized stylus.
 
Thanks!

Just to be clear. The records you mention are 331/3 but require a 78 stylus? Or are the records actual 78s?

Is there a way to easily distinguish acetate from vinyl?
 
weegee said:
Thanks!

Just to be clear. The records you mention are 331/3 but require a 78 stylus? Or are the records actual 78s?

Is there a way to easily distinguish acetate from vinyl?
Click to expand...

They're 33 1/3, but cut with the same cutting head used for 78's.
The point being to get longer play. 15 minutes or so per side as opposed to 3-4 minutes per side on 78's.
The grooves are wider than those used to make "microgroove" LP's.
Actually, I should have said, they require a 78 stylus to sound their best.
You can of course play them with...whatever.

Vinyl pressings flex, shellac does not.

You do realize that you'll need a turntable with an extra long arm to play these discs, right?
They're 16" in diameter and aren't usually playable on "standard" TT's.
 
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