Interesting Record Changers

[rinso]

Here's yet another area of fascination I had as a youngster of which people made fun. VM (Voice of Music) changers seemed to be them changer of choice in most equipment. Magnavox chose to use a changer made by Collaro. I believe it was a British company, but I loved their changers. Their record indexing mechanism used the tone arm itself to measure the size of the record. When starting, the tone arm would rise to the height of the record stack and tap it on the edge for size measurement. Then the record would drop (EGAD!) onto the turntable or other records playing would begin.

 

[jasonl]

Oh yeah???? Wanna see one that turned the record over and played the other side as well?

Check out the Thorens, Victor, and Lincoln record changer. The Lincoln was one step away from being being a jukebox and it could turn the record over to play side 2.

The Thorens would be easier to find and I do want one. Notice the thorens checks the record size like the Collaro.

http://www.myvintagetv.com/changer_videos.htm

 

[rickr]

1950's Collaro

For Magnavox

 

[wmlask]

Zenith Belt Drive Changer

Here are a few photos of my next restoration project.
This changer has a 45 spindle that folds up out of the platter. It is belt drive as well. This was made by Zenith and not sourced from VM.

 

[wmlask]

Zenith Belt Drive Changer

Here is the spindle folded up for use.

 

[wmlask]

Zenith Belt Drive Changer

Here is a photo of the entire unit. Not the best photo. I can't wait to get this fully restored. Anyone else like these old consoles?

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I've got more record changers than you can shake a stick at. Collaro, VM, Webster/Webcor, Silvertone, RCA 45 players, Admiral, Zenith Cobramatic (not the VM one), old BSR and Garrard (50s), pre-war sissor-drop changers, etc.
I finally got the correct RCA changer for the 1939 Brunswick console in the dining room, a friend found the changer sitting on the curb.

Stereo consoles in the basement? 2 Magnavox, 1 Grundig, 1 Saba, sitting down there amongst all the radios. At least the Maytag isn't lonely.

So many projects!

Ken D.

 

[MikeS]

Is That Rusty Warren In The LP Drawer?

I noticed the Jackie Gleason album in the Zenith LP drawer, but is that a Rusty Warren record behind it?
My father had a couple of her albums that he hid in his closet; my sister and I found them one day and played them when our parents were gone. I loved such Rusty tunes as "Shake Your Boobies" and such lines as "John Hancock--now there's a name for you!"
Ah, such tame adult humor brings back memories.

 

[wmlask]

Rusty Warren

Yes, you are correct. I have about 8 or 9 of her albums. I had been listening to them in my garage and pulled one out to test the unit when I got it. The Jackie Gleason is a 10" was wondering if the changer would index all sizes.

 

[whirlcool]

Strange that this subject should pop up on the washing machine website....
My parents had exactly the same Zenith Console in the mid-60's, sans tape recorder. Ah yes, the Zenith 2G Tonearm! I always liked the slats over the speakers on this model. Very modern!

Click on this link to be taken to the turntable website that I operate...

http://www.dual-reference.com

 

[rinso]

Just thought of another unique changer. In the 1960's Dual made a changer that I think was a model 1009 or 1019. At any rate, the indexing mechanism consisted two little wheels that would pop out during indexing. The tone arm would the start at the center of the record and draw backwards until the outside wheel fell of the edge, which would trip a switch and establish the record size. Then the tone are would rise, the wheels would pop back up and it would start playing the record. Most people think I'm nuts when I tell them of this changer, so I'm hoping someone here remembers it.

 

[kenmore1978]

10 inch records

"The Jackie Gleason is a 10" was wondering if the changer would index all sizes"

Yes, because remember, most 78's were 10 inch.

 

[kenmore1978]

Zenith cnsole

I have that exact console sitting in my backyard, (without the reel to reel). Don't want to throw it away, it worke fine for a long time, then just quit. Anybody who whats it can have it for free, will need refinishing, though.

 

[jasonl]

I had a Dual 604 until I moved to Massachusetts. I couldn't bring it and my records with me so it sits at my parents house with a broken headshell.

When it worked, it had an Ortofon OM-5e cartridge and it sounded fine. Had a very clean flat response.

 

[Kevinpreston3]

Another forgotten mystery....

solved!

You guys are too much. Many, many years ago, my dad told me that there were phonographs that flipped over the record. He could not remember who made them, and that little mystery was tucked away in my memory since I was probably about 10, and hadn't thought about it again until now! This totally brings it all back. Now I have a video no less of this machine.

Does anyone have a pic of that unit in a complete system?

And WM, I LOVE your console. Someday when my parents remodel I am sure they will give me their Curtis-Mathes, so that is the only reason I don't go hunting for something like what you have now.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Flipped

The most famous changer that flipped the records over is the Capehart. I've seen the one in the AWA museum: http://www.antiquewireless.org/museum/tour03.htm

Here's a link for another:

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/MRT/CapeHt1.htm

 

[wmlask]

Dual Turntables

Have a few Dual 1229's and a 1229Q. Anyone know of a source for a decent base for these guys? The base that the US dist, United Audio supplied was such crap. I have been thinking of making a few up from some solid Walnut but was wondering if there is a souce for decent replacment?
Best Regards,
Bill

 

[veg-o-matic]

Memories!

Man, I love that Zenith with the pop-up 45 adaptor. In high school, I used to date a girl (don't ask!) whose parents had one. Always thought it was the coolest idea.

veg, who apparently has A Past

 

[jasonl]

Wow, I'd love to see the Capeheart in action. It's as close as you can get to owning a jukebox.

Of course, Seeburg has made home systems with their jukebox mechanism from 1940s 78rpm machines to late 60s 33rpm LP players. Very expensive stuff I imagine.

 

[tolivac]

I too liked those old Hi-Fi-stereo consoles.The changers in them were interesting. Over the years I have owned several of these TT's as well.For awhile(high school) years I used a VM changer that came from some ?? console with an Eico amplifier.My Moms Manavox also had the Collaro TT with the "Feather Touch" tonearm.Replaced the motor in it once.Had a gold colored metal record overarm.Was from early 60's was looking for a similar "Concert Grand" Manavox Hi-Fi.loved the sound quality of it.Played MANY records on it as a teen.The Zenith BD TT is interesting.Remember their "Cobra-Matic" TT's?Fixed one for someone.
At WRC-FM in Wash DC-toured thru it in the early 70's they were playing "Easy Listening" music at the time.the station was in one room in the Wash DC NBC building. The room contained their two RCA FM transmitters and two racks of Schaffer program automation systems. Part of the automation was two Seeburg Jukebox record changers tied into the system.They were used as program sources along with RR tape machines and cart machines.(Cart Carrousels- a "changer" by itself")Worked on those-sometimes very cranky devices.The time annoucements were two cart machines with long carts that had even and odd time announcements.Was funny when the clock was out-or a machine jammed.

 

[tolivac]

Another weired record changer I used to have was a "Perptuum-Ebner"bought it used from the Team Electronics store in Rapid City SD.It replaced the VM TT. Kept the VM as a spare.Sadly both TT's got lost in the Rapid City flood of 1972.Had to replace the stylus in the PE.I found PE TT's were used in Grundig Hi-Fi consoles.I had one of those once-was a very nice one-was Mono.Remember it had a PE TT.(changer) those worked really well.

 

[whirlcool]

Dual Turntables

JasonL:
The headshell assemblies for the Dual 604 are still available, so you can fix your 604 and use it again!
Wmlask:
The United Audio bases for the 122X series were walnut veneer covered el cheapo fibreboard, which of most are disintegrating now. Saw a guy on fleabay a few weeks ago selling home made walnut ones for about $125.00. If you want to make one yourself, I can send you the dimensions and the proper "cut out" so you can make a new one for yourself.

 

[kenmore1978]

Miracord

I have a Benjamin Elac Miracord changer that's stopped working. I really want to fix it beczuse it seems to be the highest quality reord "changer" I've ever seen. Currently has a Shure Mark V cartridge in it, and I really miss using it.

 

[jasonl]

Thanks

Problem is, I'm in Massachusetts and the TT is in New Orleans :-(. Oh well, I'll find something here.

Bri's been dying to hear her PINK VINYL Amy Grant record that I got for her off of Ebay.

 

[Kevinpreston3]

Colored albums....

That just got me thinking.

My friend that I have not seen in years had a special Beatles White Album that was actually white. He also had an album by an 80s band, it may have been Gleaming Spires, that was "laser etched" with designs. My sister has a Grand Funk Railroad album that is see thru gold.

Cool memories!