Gospel 78: Bro Claude Ely - King acetate, 3811/3813

$

182

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This is a Soundcraft Audition Recording disc. One side had a King Recording Studios label pasted over the orginal Soundcraft label but it has since fallen off. I have scanned it in place but it is not attached. Claude Ely was a remarkable white Appalachian preacher who sang very much in the black style. He was reluctant to record in a studio but two remote sessions were recorded by King in 1953 and 1954 at his church and at a revival meeting in Cumberland, Kentucky. There were fifteen songs recorded altogether and eight were released as singles, I believe both songs on this disc were released but I'm not sure.

Comments

The label, as noted, is a paste-over, it is not attached to the record and there are chunks of it missing. There are also red grease pencil marks on it. The playing surface is free from scratches but there was a mould or something covering both sides - sort of a white gunk. I gently washed the record and most of it came off but not all. It probably will come off with a more thorough cleaning. Whoever marked the label with a grease pencil also didn't like the 3813 side much and put four large Xs on it to show his displeasure. Unfortunately they are audible. In the sound sample I've played the first part then skipped to the end so you can hear what the Xs sound like. Just playing the record removed some of the grease so there is hope it can all be cleaned off.

Despite all that, this record plays quite well, the 3811 side is clean and clear, it plays better than it grades.

See the bottom of this page for some extra notes on how 78s are graded.

My records are graded conservatively, I am primarily selling my personal collection, so they're not new, they are used. 78s are graded visually, under bright light. They may be played for sampling, but not necessarily all the way through.

Most listings have a sound sample included. It is intended to give you an idea what the record sounds like on a turntable of reasonable quality and the sample includes a few seconds of the lead-in so you can hear the background noise. While mp3 samples can't give you perfect fidelity, my samples are not edited (except for time) or filtered in any way. What you hear is as close as possible to what you get.

78s play best in mono mode as a lot of noise cancels itself out and all my 78 rpm samples are recorded in mono.

Grades and code information

I do not use the term "mint", that is for coin collectors, nor do I use +++ or other confusing mid-grades, I only use the following:

E -

The highest grade I give. A record that apparently has never been played (except by me, on good quality equipment) and has no obvious storage damage. Just like new.

VG +

An excellent record, signs of normal, light use or some storage scuffs but no deep scratches, it plays clear, strong and relatively noise free. Labels may have minor wear or marks.

VG

Still a good record but showing some signs of heavier use, very light (usually inaudible) scratches. Plays well with some background noise. Because a 78 has relatively deep grooves, it can have light scratches and still play just fine. Labels may have minor damage or writing that can't be removed.

VG -

Signs of wear, a few audible scratches, more significant background noise but still a very usable record that will play with satisfaction on good equipment, it should not skip. Labels may have a tear, or have a sticker or have been damaged by a sticker that has been removed.

F +

More significant wear, some scratches that affect play, noisy but playable. This is for records that are more collectable and hard to find in good shape. Specific defects will always be noted in the description.

There may also be a crack (always noted in the comments). Any cracked record I offer for sale will still play but, obviously, it will be in delicate condition. I will sometimes secure it with a piece of tape along the edge, not into the playing surface, to help keep the crack from spreading.

F

Getting kind of rough. Still plays reasonably well. It would have to be a really rare record for me to list it in this shape.

F -

I'll probably never list 78 in this shape - it would play poorly, maybe skip. If I do list one, rub it with shoe polish and hang it on the wall. If there's a cover, throw it away.

There are other things that affect 78 rpm grading and playback.

As noted, they play best in mono so that's how I play all of them. Playing them in stereo will increase the background noise. The type of needle or stylus can also have a dramatic effect.The groove is large and it may be damaged at a certain depth but not at others. This means different diameter styli will often yield dramatically different results, it all depends where it sits in the groove. Many people prefer a "truncated" stylus, where the tip is rounded so it doesn't touch the bottom of the groove and thereby produces much less noise. I don't have one of those yet, if you have one, you'll probably get better sound than I do.

A 78 can also look really rough but play fine - or vice versa. My grading, and the samples you hear, are based on how it sounds on my turntable, your experience may vary because of the above conditions.

Unfortunately many of the small, independent record companies made poor-quality pressings so even mint condition copies have bad sound. The grading I give reflects the physical condition of the the playing surface, not the quality of the product. I will note the sound quality in the comments above.

Your satisfaction is guaranteed, if you are not happy with any record you receive from me, email me, we'll work it out.

For those who are interested, here's a bit about me, the seller.

My name is Lorne VanSinclair, I have been actively involved in buying, selling and collecting records for most of my life. The first Christmas present I ever received, when I was three years old, was a record player and a 78 rpm record - Jingle Bells by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters which I guess makes me a life-long jazz fan.

I started selling records on eBay in 1999 under the user name AladdinsAttic, which my wife and I used to sell our yard-sale finds. It was so successful I started BlueNotePromo on eBay in 2001to sell records and music memorabilia.

From 1979 to 1989 I had a collector's record store in Toronto called BlueNote Record Shop. During that time I travelled extensively in the U.S. buying records by the carload to sell in my store.

Since 1983 I have run the Toronto Musical Collectables Record and CD Sale. It is a twice-yearly record show (they're called record fairs in Europe and other parts of the world). The first show was held in 1976 and I believe it is now the longest-running show of its kind in the world. A number of vendors who started in 1976 are still with the show.

I started collecting seriously about 1970 after I bought a 1948 Wurlitzer juke box that played 78s. I discovered a store in Detroit that was still selling new 78s over the counter. It was in a rough neighbourhood but, as I was a very naive Canadian, I didn't know that white people just didn't go there, so I went often. After a few trips the owner said that if I liked all this R&B and blues stuff I was buying, I should listen to gospel. They kept the gospel records under the counter for special customers. She handed me a pile, I played them and bought them all. I soon decided that gospel would be the focus of my collecting.

I bought thousands of records from some really great dealers - Don's Discs in Toronto, Doug Seroff in Tennessee and dozens of other U.S. dealers that I dealt with on a regular basis - many were only too happy to get rid of that Jesus music that nobody else wanted. By the mid-1980s I had one of the largest gospel record collections in the world and a weekly gospel radio show on CKLN-FM in Toronto.

Today I no longer feel it necessary to have the original records - I can record them digitally and listen to them any time I want. I enjoy the process of selling my records as much as I enjoyed the process of buying them. The best part is meeting and dealing with collectors like you, who enjoy the same kind of music I do. The only sad part is, some day I will run out of good records to sell. Maybe then I'll have to start collecting again.

** Shipments in Canada are sent Xpresspost as per Canada Post rules, airmail is not offered for parcels.

The shipping price reflects my actual cost for postage and materials.

All items are shipped from Canada. Canada Post rates are higher than US Postal Service rates, there is no media mail offered and the cost of airmail rises dramatically when the weight goes over 500 grams (about 1 lb.) All prices shown are for packages under 500 grams, please email for quotes on heavier packages.

I gladly combine wins to save on shipping however that has minimal impact for 78s due to Canada Post's rate structure. You can also save significantly by choosing surface shipping however please take note of the effect this has on my safe delivery guarantee at the bottom of this page.

I have been sending and receiving 78 RPM records in the mail for over 30 years. My 78s are packed in new cardboard boxes. Depending on the circumstances, it may be a custom-made mailer from Bags Unlimited or an over-sized box with extra cardboard and styrofoam chips. Normally the packaged weight is very close to 500 grams and in some cases may go over, expecially if the record is heavy or requires extra packing. In those cases I will usually increase the minimum bid and keep the shipping cost the same. A cardboard sleeve may push the weight over the critical 500 grams so most records are shipped with a paper sleeve only.

All packages are shipped within one business day after payment is received (or cheque has cleared). Canada Post is not open on Saturdays.

I believe the seller is responsible for proper packaging and shipping so if your item is damaged in transit, you can return it for a full refund. Please email first for a return authorization. This guarantee applies to 78s sent by airmail only. If you chose surface shipping there is a greater risk and safe delivery cannot be guaranteed.

For more detailed information on rates, please check the Canada Post web site. Mail is sent from postal code L3V 6V7

All prices are in U.S. dollars. PayPal is the preferred payment option but I am payment-friendly so you can chose almost any method.

I accept money orders, international are preferred but the standard US postal money orders (the green ones) will do if you find that more convenient.

I also accept cheques in U.S. or Canadian dollars drawn on a U.S. or Canadian bank however there may be a two week delay in sending your item to wait for the cheque to clear.

Some banks have an email payment service which is also acceptable.

It is illegal to send cash through the mail so I would never tell you to do that but if you do, it is at your risk and it should be well concealed.

In all cases payment must be received within ten days of the auction close unless arrangements have been made in writing. Communication is vital, if you are not paying immediately by PayPal, please send me an email within three days of the auction close stating how and when you are paying. Non-paying bidders will receive negative feedback and notice will be sent to eBay.

No feedback score? No problem, everybody has to start somewhere however, I do reserve the right to block any bidder due to his or her history with me or because of poor feedback from others.

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