The
Trenches Are Alive With The Sound Of Music
by LSjt. David Hughes, Irish Guards
No,
don’t worry, Julie Andrews is not planning on visiting the Newville
site anytime soon, but I wanted to give everybody some insights into
period recordings and the things to play them on.
As
units build bunkers and improve their camp sites, one thing that may
come to mind is music. Music played a very important part for
soldiers from both sides. They were often far from homes and
loved ones and the pleasures of life at home. They sung on the
march, in the canteens behind the lines, and in the trenches. They
also listened to recorded music. Whether it was on a machine
sent from home, purloined from an abandoned farm, or official military
equipment, recorded music was very popular. So, to help those
of both sides, here are a few things you want to look for and know
when you are putting recorded music into your repertoire of living
history impressions.
First
lets deal with the machines, then we will deal with the music. For
the most part you have two choices. Standard 10 or 12 inch gramophone
records (78rpm) or cylinders. Wax cylinders were popular mostly
in the United States and had been produced from the time that Edison
made the first one. Generally these are small machines with a
relatively small external horn. Cylinders can be easily found
in antique shops, however the dating is not an easy task. Also
the machine itself will usually set you back at least $600 for a decent
rebuilt machine, adn over $1000 for a machine with the original parts. So
for most re-enactors that is not a great option. Your best bet,
whether British, German, Yank, or French, is a table top gramophone.
Table
tops are available, the records are easy to find, dating is easier,
and generally the cost is lower. Everybody has seen those old
time movies with the gramophone with the big horn. Well while
they are lovely machines, and someday I hope to own one, they run
from about $1500 and up. Also they will take up a lot of room. What
you mostly see in photographs are table top machines with an internal
horn. These will run anywhere from $250 and up. They are
quite enjoyable and have a nice sound (if you get a decent one that
does not need too much work).
So
what to look for in the machine. Victrola, Columbia, Aoelian,
or Pathe. What to get? Well the easiest machines to find
are Victrolas. They were the most common and were produced worldwide. Most
Victrola serial number plates have Chinese on them. So if you
go looking for a machine what ever side you are on a Victor machine
will be a good choice. Victrola model numbers that are good for
our period are VV-VI and VV-VII. these were widely produced during
the war, the VV-VI I have is dated 1915 by the warranty label on the
bottom. Suitcase type gramophones were not available until after
the War. Victrola produced the first one in 1920. You will
find the other manufacturers out their but their is less written about
them and they are generally more expensive. If you are a purest
be careful of a machine that looks too good. It has probably
been restored and refinished which will reduce the value, but not
necessarily though the cost to you. Make sure of a few things. One
that when cranked the turn table spins at what looks like a constant
speed. This is the most important thing to look for, as the spring
is the hardest thing to replace. Two, that the part that actually
produces the sound (reproducer) is not cracked or too corroded and
can be attached to the tone arm. Also make sure that the turn
table is not warped (well not too warped, a little warp is ok for
most records). The condition of the felt on the turn table is
not too important as that can be easily replaced, if you wish. The
condition of the box is not too important as it can be refinished
or if you are using it for the field a beaten up look is ok.
Victrola
machines are the easiest to repair as new and reused parts can be
had, and generally a machine is not too hard to repair. There
are a number websites out there that can supply parts. Just do
a search for Victrola parts repair. The 1915 dated machine I
mentioned earlier was picked up for $90 at roadside antique store,
and $50 in parts later and about 8 hours later I had a nice looking
machine that sounds great and looks like it is a couple of years old. Did
I mention that under the turntable and inside the box were mud wasp
nests. So, a find like that is rare, but can make a fun project,
or you can find someone to do it for you.
Needles
will run you about $5 for 100, and should be replaced at least every
three plays. They come in two types, loud tone or soft tone. For
outside play you will want the loud tone ones, unless you are playing
78’s from the 1940’s or later, then you must use the soft
tone needles. Records in the 1940’s were made of vinyl and
are thinner than WWI period records and the loud tone needles cut
into the vinyl distorting the sound and eventually destroying the
record.
Now
what to look for in the record itself. As I said above WWI vintage
records are thicker than the records of the 1940’s. They
are made of shellac and can take a fair amount of rough abuse. That
is one of the reasons they are still around today. You will find
many 78’s out there, and many of them have WWI or earlier songs
on them. The problem is, is that a period recording? Here
are some easy rules of thumb to make sure you get a WWI or earlier
record.
One,
if it is a Victor recording it should be one sided. Victors are
the easiest to find here in the US. Most Victor records of the
WWI period will have a red label and the standard Victor symbol, Nipper
listening to an external horn gramophone. British and Canadian
recordings by Victor are under the ‘His Master’s Voice’
label and otherwise look exactly like their Victor counterparts. These
though are much rarer here in the US. Another period labile is
Zon-O-Phone. These are also one sided. American records
did not become two sided, generally, until 1918. You can pick
up most American period records from $1 and up.
European
recordings from my observations to be two sided, and while harder
to find in antique stores here, are sometimes available on Ebay. A
couple of British labels you can count on are The Winner and John
Bull (1910-1913). German titles can be easily found on Victor
recordings, and French titles on Pathe. With either American
or European recordings, a low seriel number is more likely to be period.
Period Victor recordings are in the 60000’s (It’s A Long
Way to Tipperary #64476, May 1916) while European recordings have
a lower number (Kilties’ Courtship, The Winner Label #2856, 1912). The
reason for is pretty simple, European records were produced for a
smaller market, and thus fewer records were produced and fewer titles. Also,
generally speaking European labels tended to be smaller companies
that did not last as long as a company like Victor. However this
can be somewhat misleading as John Bull Records (British), which only
produced records between 1910 and 1913 produced records into the tens
of thousands. This is because door to door salesmen would sell
the records and each customer that bought 50 records would get a free
gramaphone to play them on.
Besides
the popular and patriotic songs of WWI, you will also find some good
opera and classical music, plus popular artists like John McCormick. So
don’t just limit yourself to Tipperary or Over There. Also,
don’t be afraid to buy more than one copy of your favorite tunes,
and always play the one in the least good condition first, as it will
save your better copy.
When
picking records for quality you want to make sure that the record
is not badly scratched or cracked. Small scratches will not greatly
effect the play of the record, however will cause a pop each time
the needle crosses the scratch. Cracks will have the same effect,
but to a greater result. Deep scratches will seriously effect
the play of the record for the duration of the scratch. Also
avoid records with chips on the edge as they will weaken the record
and the record may have underlying problems unseen to the eye.
You
can clean your records with a mild solution of regular dish soap and
water. Use a cotton ball dipped in the soap solution, and wipe
the record as the record would play against the needle (cotton ball
goes counter clock wise from the outside to the inside). Then
repeat with a dampened cotton ball in the same fashion to rinse. Do
not get the label wet. Then let air dry. Do not play a wet
record.
You
will find that having period music, played on a period machine will
help to enhance your living history and your enjoyment at events. There
are a number of good websites to help you along the way. Also
if you have any questions, you can direct them to me. So if you
need to know if that record you have is period, or what you should
pay for a machine, or if it can be fixed, you can email me at irishguards@verizon.net. Good
luck and enjoy the music of the period.
David
Hughes owns three gramaphones in working condition, plus a modest
collection of 78’s dating from before WWI through to the end
of WWII, a collection that continues to increas
