[Dixielandjazz] A diversion: jazz and American literature.

[Ron L'Herault]

Banboo was indeed used to play records as were some thorns.  There are
special devices to sharpen the thorns and re-cut the bamboo to the proper
shape.   Victor sound boxes (reproducers) at first had round holes for their
steel needles and later came out with a triangular hole which would hold
either style, the steel or the "fiber".  These needles were considered
"audiophile" material.  They played at a lower volume but wore records less.
Current opinion is that they also clogged up grooves with resinous detritus.

Ron L (who also collects and repairs antique phonographs)



-----Original Message-----
From: dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com
[mailto:dixielandjazz-bounces at ml.islandnet.com] On Behalf Of Robert Smith
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 5:46 AM
To: lherault at bu.edu
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] A diversion: jazz and American literature.

Dear Mike

I imagine he was thinking about the top dance bands of the time, as "jazz" 
on record as we know it didn't exist at that time (1920) except to the 
youngsters and a few older people who'd heard the ODJB. I assume also that 
he didn't know much about Victrolas, unless it's my total ignorance of 
bamboo being used to make acoustic gramophone needles. I would have thought 
that bamboo was too springy to be used as a needle for a heavy acoustic 
pickup.

Kind Regards

Bob Smith
 


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