Home recording can only be performed on a brown wax record. Consequently, most amateur efforts have been lost due to the ravages of mildew. Edison dropped the attachment for shaving brown wax records on most of his machines around 1905.

If you’re adventurous, here are a few tips, courtesy of Claymont dealer Tim Fabrizio:

*Use a powerful shaving machine with a sharp knife, such as a Dictaphone or Edison’s commercial shaver. A Home model isn’t muscular enough to get the job done.

You can get around 5 shavings off a single blank, and you might be able to shave surface mildew. Don’t shave a valuable record.

*Soften the exterior of the record with a cotton rag soaked in turpentine. Commercial wiping solutions were sold around the turn of the century.

*Make sure the recording stylus is in fighting shape. Examine it under a lens—it should be dished in the middle.

*Use the smallest horn feasible. A 10" cone works fine—giant horns were for recording studios. Stand as close to the horn as possible.