How to Identify an Authentic Andrew Wyeth Print

By Lori Spencer

 

Even before his death in 2009 at the age of 91, American painter Andrew Wyeth was a victim of art counterfeiters. One well-known fake in circulation since 1998 was openly decried by the artist himself. Four known forgeries have emerged since his death. In early October 2010, the FBI Art Crime Team announced the seizure of a forged 1939 Wyeth painting “Wreck on Doughnut Point,” valued at more than $100,000.

Art forgery is a $6-billion industry worldwide, according to the FBI. If you’re looking to add an authentic Wyeth print to your collection, follow these steps to better protect yourself against fraud.

Read more: How to Identify an Authenic Andrew Wyeth Print | eHow.com
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Fix That Damned Skipping Record!

By Lori Spencer

 

If your treasured vinyl records are skipping, there could be several reasons why. Dirt, dust or other debris in the grooves of the record are the most common cause of record skips. Your turntable’s arm may need balancing, or the stylus could be worn out. The good news is that all of these problems can be fixed with a minimum of cost and effort. The bad news is, if the skipping is being caused by…

 

Continued at: http://www.ehow.com/how_8209913_fix-record-skips.html

Digital Preservation of Audio Cassettes

By Lori Spencer

 

Magnetic audio cassette tapes deteriorate over time to due age, wear, dust and temperature/humidity fluctuations. If you have some cherished recordings on cassette tape that you don’t want to lose, back them up to a digital format quickly and preserve them forever.

This is a simple process using basic sound recording software. Some popular free software choices are Audacity and WavePad (both are Mac compatible), or you can just use the Sound Recorder program that came pre-installed with Windows. In this tutorial we will be using Audacity, although the…

Continues at: http://www.ehow.com/how_7346684_record-audio-cassette-computer.html

How to Take Great Pictures of Yourself

By Lori Spencer

 

We’ve all seen them: self-taken photographs showing an arm holding the camera, or snapped in front of a mirror with a blinding flash glare. Naturally, you want your photos to look better than that, but the physical limitations of snapping your own picture make it nearly impossible to get a good shot of yourself (unless you’re a contortionist, that is).

If you need photos of yourself and don’t have someone around to take them, there are ways to avoid the common pitfalls of do-it-yourself photography…

Read more: How to Take Great Pictures of Yourself | eHow.com
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How to Take Care of 78 RPM Records

By Lori Spencer

 

Collectors of 78 rpm records treat their old shellac discs like rare and precious jewels, as often they are worth a great deal of money. Even the casual collector can learn much about caring for their 78s by talking to an experienced professional collector, curator, or trader of vintage records. Old 78 rpm shellac platters are extremely fragile, vulnerable to chips, cracking and breakage. They require special care and handling at all times and must be stored in conditions conducive to preservation.

Cleaning

Step 1

Use a damp terrycloth lint-free towel to remove surface dust and dirt. Never apply alcohol cleaning products to shellac discs — this strips the surface. For general cleaning, water works just fine. If the disc is really dirty, mix some mild dish-washing liquid with the water.

Step 2

Rub gently in the direction of the grooves. To prevent cracking of the disc, do this on a soft flat surface like a bed or sofa.

Step 3

Rinse or replace the towel frequently if cleaning more than just one or two records.

Step 4

Follow the cleaning towel with a dry towel.

Step 5

Lay the record out to dry overnight. Do not place it back in the sleeve until completely dry.

Storage

Step 1

Store your records clean. Dirt and dust in the grooves can scratch the records when the box is moved around. Organic compounds react with the shellac, attracting insects such as silverfish. These little critters love to eat paper sleeves and record labels.

Step 2

Keep your record boxes high and dry. Humidity above 85% promotes mold growth and porous 78 record sleeves absorb moisture. Store them off the floor in the event of a flood or plumbing leak.

Step 3

Avoid storing 78 rpm records flat; this puts pressure on the records. Store them upright, on edge, in clean new sleeves. Do not allow the records to lean as this causes warping. If storing them in a box, make sure the discs are fully upright and flat against each other, held in place with a divider if necessary.

Step 4

Monitor the temperature where the records are stored. High temperatures will warp 78s, especially if they are not stored flat and upright. Room temperature should not exceed 75 degrees.

Playback

Step 1

Use a fresh new needle for every record if you’re planning to play the 78s on a vintage Victrola. Bear in mind that the heavy tonearm and steel needles on these older record players wear down the grooves much faster than modern equipment.

Step 2

Invest in a high-quality modern turntable with a 78 rpm speed setting. (These are still available from specialty retailers.) If you have very rare or valuable 78s, it is strongly recommended that you only play them on modern electric turntables, not old Victrolas.

Step 3

Copy your 78s to a digital format, such as burning them to CD or to your computer. This saves wear and tear on the original records, while allowing you the pleasure of listening to them as often as you like.

Tips

When it comes to vintage recordings, 78 rpm collectors are merely stewards of historical artifacts. Much like a museum curator, your goal should be to do as little damage as possible and preserve them for future generations.

Warnings

Take extra special care of the record label: collectors and 78 rpm record buyers will pay top dollar for labels that are in excellent condition. Labels that are torn, stamped, marked or damaged reduce the value of your record significantly. Never immerse your records in water or wet the label when cleaning; this will cause labels to bubble or peel.

Key Concepts

• 78rpm record collecting
• 78rpm record care
• 78rpm record cleaning
• 78rpm record storage
• playing 78rpm records
• 78rpm record preservation

References

• 78rpm: Frequently Asked Questions [http://www.78rpm.com/faq.htm]
• The 78rpm Home Page: Repair Tips [http://78rpmrecord.com/repair.htm]
• Tim’s Phonographs and Old Records: Assessing the Condition of Old 78rpm Discs [http://www.gracyk.com/assess.shtml]

Resources (Further Reading)

• Kix: Vinyl Record Collecting Resources [http://kixsoftware.com/vinylresources.html]
• 78rpm Records [http://78rpmrecord.com]
• Garage-A-Records: Record Cleaning Products for 33, 45, and 78rpm Records [http://www.garage-a-records.com/cleaner.html]

User Bio

Lori Spencer has written professionally since 1986. She is the author of three nonfiction books, is writing her fourth and provides content for eHow and LIVESTRONG.COM. She also produces and hosts a weekly radio show. Her subjects of expertise include history, media, music, film and the performing arts.

What Are The Catalog Numbers on Vinyl Records?

By Lori Spencer

 

Vinyl records fell out of favor with the music-buying public after compact discs emerged in the mid-1980s. However, many people wisely held on to their old record albums, knowing they would become collector’s items one day. Indeed, vinyl albums that are particularly rare or in mint condition now command high prices on the collector’s market. In order to learn more about a vinyl record and its worth, you must first begin with the catalog number.

Read more: What are the Catalog Numbers on Vinyl Records? | eHow.com
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What Is a Vintage Saxophone?

By Lori Spencer

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-vintage-saxophone.htm

Defining exactly what a vintage saxophone is can be tricky. Collectors and experts agree that there are several other factors to consider besides the instrument’s age. Quality plays a big role; so does playability. The condition of the horn itself can have a bearing on whether it is deemed “vintage.” Another important factor is the history of that particular brand and model. If the instrument was once played or owned by a significant musician, or was only manufactured for a short period of time, that certainly adds both monetary value and vintage credibility. Woodwind restoration and repair experts stresses that there is a vast difference between vintage and just plain old. An instrument’s date of manufacture…

How Do I Find Saxophone Serial Numbers?

By Lori Spencer

Musicians who play, sell, and collect vintage saxophones always pay close attention to the instrument’s serial number. Knowing the serial number can help confirm the brand, model, and the location of the factory where the sax was made. The manufacturer’s original stamp typically will also display the maker’s name and logo. Saxophone serial numbers differ from model numbers in that serial numbers are longer and contain mostly numbers. As an example, an Aristocrat Series II is a model number made by Buescher; the serial number might look like 294125.

Saxophone serial numbers can tell you quite a bit about an instrument. If you wanted to find out when your Beuscher Aristocrat Series II sax was made…

Read more at http://www.wisegeek.com/how-do-i-find-saxophone-serial-numbers.htm

Spinnin’ Platters With the Ion Turntable

By Lori Spencer

 

If your primary need for a record player revolves around transferring stacks of vinyl albums to your computer, a USB turntable may be just the right solution. While most audiophiles and critics agree that USB turntables still cannot deliver the fidelity of a traditional stereo component turntable, a USB turntable works fine for the average consumer’s needs.

Ion Audio makes a popular line of plug-and-play USB turntables at affordable prices. In addition to USB, Ion Turntables also have RCA output jacks — quite handy for connecting the turntable to your stereo system…

Continued at http://www.ehow.com/how_8408233_ion-turntable-spin-records.html

How to Make 78 rpm Records the Right Speed if Recorded at 45 rpm

By Lori Spencer

Most consumer-grade turntables on the market today will only play 45 and 33 rpm records, leaving 78 rpm enthusiasts without a way to listen to their prized collections. It is entirely possible to record 78 rpm records to a digital format using the 45 rpm speed on your turntable, then convert to the correct speed using audio software.

Free software such as Audacity and WavePad will automatically correct the speed with a few clicks of the mouse. The conversion speed can also be adjusted manually to accommodate early 20th century recordings, which often were recorded from 70 to 90 rpms…

 

Article continues at http://www.ehow.com/how_8193357_make-right-speed-recorded-45.html