UK Shipping: EVRI Tracked service

International Shipping to European and other Countries: Royal Mail International tracked.

Worldwide destination costs on request: P-and-P charges for single items or multiple purchases will be provided promptly.

SHELLAC 78 rpm RECORDS: 

At the beginning of the twentieth century the ground-breaking medium of shellac 78 rpm records made it possible, for the first time, to listen to the popular performers of the day in the comfort of home. Pioneer recording artists began to lay down what would become a unique treasury of recorded music that spanned sixty years.

Early shellac recording and pressing techniques were primitive and did not achieve anything close to the sound quality to which we are now accustomed. This, together with the impact of the basic gramophone equipment used to play these records resulted in the sound quality that we hear when we play surviving records today.  But with advancements in the recording techniques and the shellac manufacturing process that occurred over the following decades, audio standard became very acceptable. The record playing equipment also improved and no longer had detrimental 'wear' impact.  Then, in the 1950's and 60's, when the vinyl record with its Hi-Fi capability was introduced, it seemed that the 78 was destined for oblivion. However, when the new medium took over, the shellac record just went into hiding and fortunately, they continue to re-emerge from their attics, barns and sheds to be cherished once more.

Galshach Gramophone Records seeks to rescue a little of this vast treasury by actively pulling together a collection of music from North-east Scotland.  Its wider focus is to make available to collectors and enthusiasts a wide range of music from the wonderfully diverse recordings that still survive from the first half of the twentieth century.

CATEGORISING SHELLAC RECORDS "The devil is in the detail"

The Grading of used records is a complex and subjective process.  Do you prefer a disc that looks good or one that sounds good?  Clearly, each individual has their own very subjective balance but we believe that most collectors lean towards SOUNDS GOOD.

The currently available published methodologies have, whether intended or not, enabled many sellers to grade and price their records based primarily on the visual condition of the record and to sidestep the more difficult to determine but very pertinent 'sounds good' attributes.  Commonly used tags like 'Plays Well' and 'Sounds Good' are inadequate on their own and do not give sufficient detail that would allow buyers to know what to expect when they play their newly purchased record. (We have all experienced the 'scruffy-looking' shellacs that sound great and those that look like 'new' yet have distorted sound and/or disturbing surface noise.)

 GRADING GUIDANCE FOR SHELLAC RECORDS

This Galshach methodology is applied to the grading of all my 'listed'. shellac records. Grades are only determined after these tests and inspections have been completed.  A description of the results is recorded and available to potential customers. Photographs of the 'actual record' are provided - I never download 'stock' images.

1.     Audio test-play
This is an in-depth assessment of the record's sound reproduction standard when played on a fully functioning 'modern' electronic sound-system.  All defects are noted, this includes:  

           ·          POPPING and CLICKING 

        ·         SOUND DISTORTION 

        ·         SURFACE DISTURBANCE - Background Noise and Crackling

2.    Visual inspection of physical condition

       This is a detailed examination of the record's physical attributes and imperfections.  A detailed description of the findings is documented, including:

 ·         The PLAYING SURFACE blemishes, chips, cracks, scratches, scuffs, buckling and age wear. Manufacturing faults.

 ·         The LABEL physical imperfections, damage, stickers, age wear, readability and evidence of play activity.

 ·         The SLEEVE or protector that is supplied with the record.

Based on the information gained from these tests and inspections AN OVERALL GRADING is given for the item

GRADING CATEGORIES

·       Near Mint (NM)
This grading is reserved for records that have very clear sound reproduction with only some LIGHT unobtrusive background disturbance such as light crackling. There are no clicks, pops or audio distortions.

There are NO physical condition defects effecting sound reproduction. There may be some MINOR superficial issues not associated with the record's playing surfaces.

·       Excellent Plus (EX+)
These records have clear sound reproduction with only LIGHT to MODERATE background disturbance. There are NO MAJOR sound defects but there may be only one or a maximum two, LIGHT unobtrusive clicks or pops. There is no audio distortion.

There are NO MAJOR physical condition defects and only one or a maximum of two, MINOR superficial defects, none of which impact upon the sound quality.

·       Excellent (EX)
These records have clear sound reproduction with some MODERATE background disturbance. There may only be two or a maximum three, LIGH to MODERATE clicks or pops none of which overpower listening pleasure. There is no audio distortion,

There are NO MAJOR condition defects. There may be one NOTEWORTHY defect which may have some MINOR impact upon the sound quality.

·       Very Good Plus (VG+)
These records have a very good sound reproduction standard with MODERATE background disturbance and may have some isolated area of more SIGNIFICANT background disturbance. There may be several MODERATE clicks. pops and possibly some isolated areas of MINOR distortion none of which overpower listening pleasure.

There may be some MAJOR condition defect and some issues that are NOTEWORTHY (the impact upon sound quality is described). There may be several MINOR defects not effecting sound quality.

·       Very Good (VG)
These records are in very good playing condition but produce a reduced standard of sound reproduction. The records may have a MODERATE to SIGNIFICANT amount of background disturbance. There may be some SIGNIFICANT clicks and/or pops and possibly some sound distortion. Nevertheless, the performance is audible and very listenable.

There may be only one MAJOR physical condition defect but it is likely to have a few NOTEWORTHY condition issues which may have some impact on sound quality. There may be some MINOR physical defects.

·       Good (G)
These records have a reduced standard of sound reproduction which is TOLERABLE. The record may have a SIGNIFICANT amount of background disturbance. There may be a number of SIGNIFICANT clicks and/or pops and possibly some distortion in places. Listening pleasure is impaired but the performance is still audible and listenable.

There may be some MAJOR and NOTEWORTHY physical condition defects.

·       Rarity Record (RR)
This grading is reserved for those VERY SPECIAL records which are in a condition that would require them to be given a grade lower than Good (G).

Occasionally, these exceptional items may be listed. The audio standard and physical condition are described in minute detail for each individual item.

DEFINITIONS for AUDIO IMPERFECTIONS and PHYSICAL CONDITION DEFECTS

BLEMISHES: these commonly appear on the shellac playing surfaces, they are isolated dull area on an otherwise clean and bright surface. The blemishes can result from being carelessly stored in a damp atmosphere. It is unlikely that these will have any detrimental impact on sound quality. Their unsightly appearance is not to confused with 'age wear'. (See below.)

CRACKLING is groove damage often affecting the reproductive standard of shellac records.  Permanent damage to the groove from excessive play activity (especially whilst in a dirty or dusty condition).  Play activity on inferior or damaged equipment.  Categories are: Light, Moderate and Significant. (Extreme crackle usually renders the record unacceptable) 

SURFACE NOISE can originate in the recording technique or in the pressing process. It often occurs on early shellac recordings made without the benefit of electronic amplification.  It is less common in the later electronic recordings.  NOTE: SURFACE NOISE on EARLY NON-ELECTRONIC RECORDINGS: To the uninitiated buyer these recordings are often faint and may sound very 'distant'. This, combined with the SUBSTANTIAL level of surface noise which often occurs on these records make them unacceptable to all but the specialist collector.

CLICKS and/or POPS are audio imperfections often caused by damage to the groove from Scuffing and scratching.  It may also indicate a dirty groove condition.  Clicks and Pops may be described as Light, Moderate and Significant. (Extreme clicks and pops usually render the record unacceptable)

SKIPS occur when the groove wall is damaged and the stylus jumps to an adjacent groove causing an interruption in the continuity of the performance. A skip which takes the stylus backwards to a previously played groove is particularly troublesome as the stylus must be manually repositioned.
NOTE: Records with SKIPS are not normally listed but when they occur on a very rare or special record it may be included as a RARITY RECORD (RR).

SCRATCHES, SCUFF MARKS and SPOT MARKS are often the result of careless handling or excessive usage.  Categories are - scratches and scuffs that are referred to as "SUPERFICIAL" may be taken as having no impact of sound quality - "LIGHT", may produce some moderate clicking or popping - "DEEP", these usually result in some pronounced clicking or popping - "GOUGES", result in loud clicking or popping and very often skipping.

AGE WEAR can be the result of badly stored or stacked records.  It can also occur on records that have had excessive use. Its detrimental impact on the sound reproduction may only be determined by carefully Test-Playing the record.

DISTORTION: is a loss of sound clarity and definition which may originate in the manufacturers pressing or an imperfect sound recording.  It may also be caused by some foreign matter in the groove which cannot be removed by cleaning.

MANUFACTURING DEFECTS and RECORDING IMPERFECTIONS may be present and a full detailed description of the defect/imperfection and its impact on sound quality is always given. substantial 

HOW 'SUBECTIVE' WORDS ARE TO BE INTERPRETED

The words 'LIGHT', 'MODERATE' and 'SIGNIFICANT' are used to describe an increasing amount of background disturbance on the record.

The words 'MINOR', 'NOTEWORTHY' and 'MAJOR' are used to describe an increasing amount of condition defects or issues.

The word 'TOLERABLE' is used to describe a level of sound reproduction which is sufficient to still experience the recorded performance.

PACKAGING

Galshach has successfully developed a method using stout, double corrugated, cardboard to form a very rigid box (based on the 'pizza box design'). The Shellac is housed inside the box and protected with large-bubble wrapping to prevent movement during transit. This method keeps both the size and the  weight of the package to a safe minimum - essential for 'lowest' postal charges.

You may buy my records with complete confidence - so far, sales performance has achieved a perfect feedback rating with no breakages or damage of any kind - a proud record which I strive to maintain.

John S Somerville - galshach@gmail.com