FYI, when not using an idler-drive turntable, you should leave it in the neutral position (if it has one), otherwise the force of the motor spindle constantly pressing against the idler wheel can create a dent in the rubber, causing a knocking sound and unsteady speed. Also, Cinderella is a folk tale that was around for hundreds of years before Disney turned it into a movie. I'm sure you've seen the LPs of it that were designed to fool kids into thinking they were an adaptation of the Disney cartoon, when they're actually just a knockoff.
Weirdest record player? For me, it was a toy I didn't even know was a record player... the "Star Wars Troop Transport" by Kenner. My grandmother bought it for me and my brothers as a Christmas gift. She unboxed it and put the batteries in, so shaking it would caused the wrapped present to play random Star Wars sounds! We could not wait to open it! Years later, I took it apart to see how it worked, and found a small record player/stylus with an embedded record inside!
A record player that some might consider weird, if they saw one, are the ones that were made to play talking books for the visually impaired. These players had speeds of 8 1/3 rpm, 16 2/3 rpm, and 33 1/3 rpm, and were available on loan by the Library Of Congress talking book program to eligible patrons, or they could be purchased from the American Printing House for the Blind. The talking book program goes back to the '30s, with the first players having 33 (and, sometimes, 78). These early 33 rpm talking books were not microgroove and were played with a very heavy tonearm (I think it was 1953, when the Library Of Congress TB program switched to microgroove records). In the late '50s, machines with 16 rpm and 33 rpm were introduced, and in 1965, 8 rpm was added and many older two-speed machines were retrofitted with three-speed motors. The first machines with 8 rpm were in wooden cases and used vacuum-tube amplifiers. Later models were plastic and solid state. By the mid '80s, more materials were on 4-track, 15/16 ips cassettes than records, but talking book records continued to be made until January, 2001. The last materials on talking book records were magazines and they were on 9" 8 rpm flexible discs. There were also 10" rigid disc 8 rpm records and a few 12" 8 rpm records. In January, 2001, all materials switched to 4-track cassettes and starting in 2010, the phase-out of cassettes started and everything today is either on digital cartridges or downloads. On my channel, I feature several of the talking book record players.
Christmas of 1965 (10 years old) I got a Show-'n-Tell red version. The records had on the flip-side music. One I remember is "I'm Called Little Buttercup" from "H.M.S. Pinafore." "I'm called little Buttercup, poor little Buttercup, though I could never tell why." At 10 years old I had no idea what this was about. My Dad got a job in 1966 making twice as much as his previous job. Christmas 1966 was terrific. I got a 12" Zenith portable T.V., a Silvertone "portable" stereo record player, an Aiwa 5" inch reel-to-reel tape recorder and so many other gifts. Anyways, have a good Independence Day.
In my youth there were a huge # of record players, we had a beautiful cabinet stereo with a hinged split top, I played many albums. It really was a beautiful piece of furniture.
I miss this player from my childhood, I'll never forget when I was given my own record player when I was young, it wasn't the show n tell,but my parents knew how to open my heart ❤.
I never saw one of those bad-boy 'Show and Tell Phono Viewers' back-in-the-day. The fact you demonstrate these working models is serious cool shiznitz. I have NEVER seen a 3" Crosley record player, a true collectible. The 'Rokblok' has an awesome factor that cannot be described, albeit I would only use it on my overplayed K-Tel records from the early 70s which are in-destructible. The 'Music Public Kingdom' appears to be a Chinese knock-off of a similar record player available in the 70s which had a slide-in port for 45' records at the time. A precursor to the limited-release video disc quasi-cartridge style player of the mid-80s. Thanks for the awesome stuff Record-ology.
Strangest I've ever seen? Highway Hi-Fi. It was an under-dash record player that Chrysler had as an option from '55 -'59. As if having a record player in your car wasn't strange enough; it used specially made 7" records that ran at 16 RPM. Yes, it worked about as well as you'd think it would.
I've read about the Chrysler record player. Even stranger about the format is that the grooves are finer and thinner than regular LP grooves. While combined with 16 rpm it gives a longer playtime, you can only imagine how it all went down on the road...
As a little guy...in the late 40's-early 50's...though not a record player...were the Capitol Record Co's picture albums...these were an album with two 78's and a set of picture pages...the records feature the story with ques to turn the page, following the story in sound and pictures. In the cast of one album: "Bozo Under the Sea"..."When you hear the bubbles...turn the page!" Seeing Bozo's Undersea Adventures! Bozo was known as "The Capitol Clown"!
at around 21:30 the rok blok is the weirdest phono I have ever seen. It scoots around a sitting record like a little race car. Before this, I never even heard of it.
I find the Rok Blok a LOT weirder than the MPK. At least the MPK is practical. The Rok Blok isn’t. In fact, I’d say the Rok Blok would be my #1 weird record player. The MPK wouldn’t even be on my list. My #2 would be ANYTHING by Crosley (isn’t it interesting that 2 of your 5 weirdest record players are Crosleys)!!! I know, Crosley gets a bum rap much of the time. But frankly they deserve it sometimes, considering Cruisers and other things they make are just not good, period.
Ho-hum. Here's a list you might find useful --- and considerably more interesting: Garrard RC-100. Lincoln Series 50. Capehart turnover changer (2 versions, one for 78s only; the other also plays LPs). RCA V-225 "Magic Brain". Thorens TD224. Victor 10-50. Victor 10-35.
Somewhere, I have an '80s Japanese Audio Technica (I believe) like that first Crosley, but so much better quality. Haven't used it in years. I'll need to dig it out for a test. Also, a 1963 German-made, battery, red & ivory colored Channel-Master 45 record player that plays in any position. The 45 clips on to a large spindle, like some portable CD-players. Then a rubber roller drives the edge of the record, while the arm plays the underside. This also has an AM radio. Finally, I have a 1966 French-made compact battery portable Philips record-player that plays 33 and 45. You mentioned today's cheap plastic platters. This Philips has a heavy cast zinc-alloy platter and a relatively large speaker in the lid.
Just purchased the Best Buy Insignia turntable based on your review. I'd like to see you review the Monolith turntable by Monoprice. And you can do the less expensive one, 'cause that's the one that I would buy. lol
That Phono Viewer record player looks very much like 👍 a Fisher-Price toy (electrically operated) record player from the 1970’s. This I don’t think 🤔 is a weird invention, although it used cards. Radiotvphononut 📻 at least approves of his plastic 1970’s Fisher-Price record player, over, say, a 2009 Crosley record player (with, or without a radio 📻). The Fisher-Price is just built sturdier, and no hot 🥵 glued circuitry parts. That second record player is about the equivalent of Techmoan’s Sound Burger 🍔. Your friend, Jeff.
Quick comment you got to remove those batteries immediately those batteries will keep leaking and damage the unit you can still save the battery compartment ans clean up the battery terminals and still save the battery opperation ,I've had that happen only once but was not too severe and was able to clean up battery terminals but alwayswhen storing any battery operated unit for a long time you got to remove batteries ,did not mean to lecture ,but the sound burger is still cool and unique thing to have and to keep it running well they are very hard to find JRo
#1: I wanted one of those record player / slide player SO BAD when I was a kid!! #2: It's a shame nobody thought to turn the cartridge / needle around backwards underneath the RokBlok so it would be dragging instead of pushing into the groove. #3: That MPK record-eater sounds like some car CD players I've had: put in a CD, eject the CD... two lines across the disc. Enough in and out, and your CD won't track anymore. #4: I've never made master rips of my records because I keep thinking, "I may get a slightly better platter," or "I may get a slightly better cartridge," or "I may learn a better way to clean the grooves..." Since it's not perfect, I don't make even a basic rip! (Dumb, I know. Like buying a record and hanging it on the wall instead of playing it...)
IKEA just introduced a 'turntable', and I think it would belong on this list. Based on what I've seen so far, it's a complete piece of.... overpriced and overrated equipment, though. Belt drive, magnetic cartridge, but.... Supposedly the result of a collaboration with some other company, and it is definitely 'unusual' looking, but it just looks cheap and poorly implemented. Yet, for some reason, they can't seem to keep up with demand. They're sold out EVERYWHERE.
FYI, when not using an idler-drive turntable, you should leave it in the neutral position (if it has one), otherwise the force of the motor spindle constantly pressing against the idler wheel can create a dent in the rubber, causing a knocking sound and unsteady speed. Also, Cinderella is a folk tale that was around for hundreds of years before Disney turned it into a movie. I'm sure you've seen the LPs of it that were designed to fool kids into thinking they were an adaptation of the Disney cartoon, when they're actually just a knockoff.
Yep we’ve covered that about idler drives before. Cinderella is indeed hundreds of years old….I meant to say Disney’s Cinderella.
Weirdest record player? For me, it was a toy I didn't even know was a record player... the "Star Wars Troop Transport" by Kenner. My grandmother bought it for me and my brothers as a Christmas gift. She unboxed it and put the batteries in, so shaking it would caused the wrapped present to play random Star Wars sounds! We could not wait to open it! Years later, I took it apart to see how it worked, and found a small record player/stylus with an embedded record inside!
A record player that some might consider weird, if they saw one, are the ones that were made to play talking books for the visually impaired. These players had speeds of 8 1/3 rpm, 16 2/3 rpm, and 33 1/3 rpm, and were available on loan by the Library Of Congress talking book program to eligible patrons, or they could be purchased from the American Printing House for the Blind. The talking book program goes back to the '30s, with the first players having 33 (and, sometimes, 78). These early 33 rpm talking books were not microgroove and were played with a very heavy tonearm (I think it was 1953, when the Library Of Congress TB program switched to microgroove records). In the late '50s, machines with 16 rpm and 33 rpm were introduced, and in 1965, 8 rpm was added and many older two-speed machines were retrofitted with three-speed motors. The first machines with 8 rpm were in wooden cases and used vacuum-tube amplifiers. Later models were plastic and solid state. By the mid '80s, more materials were on 4-track, 15/16 ips cassettes than records, but talking book records continued to be made until January, 2001. The last materials on talking book records were magazines and they were on 9" 8 rpm flexible discs. There were also 10" rigid disc 8 rpm records and a few 12" 8 rpm records. In January, 2001, all materials switched to 4-track cassettes and starting in 2010, the phase-out of cassettes started and everything today is either on digital cartridges or downloads. On my channel, I feature several of the talking book record players.
We’ve covered quite a bit of 16 & 2/3 but not 8 & 1/2 yet. Awesome stuff.
My grandfather (legally blind) helped develop talking books when he worked for library of congress nearly a century ago.
Christmas of 1965 (10 years old) I got a Show-'n-Tell red version. The records had on the flip-side music. One I remember is "I'm Called Little Buttercup" from "H.M.S. Pinafore." "I'm called little Buttercup, poor little Buttercup, though I could never tell why." At 10 years old I had no idea what this was about. My Dad got a job in 1966 making twice as much as his previous job. Christmas 1966 was terrific. I got a 12" Zenith portable T.V., a Silvertone "portable" stereo record player, an Aiwa 5" inch reel-to-reel tape recorder and so many other gifts. Anyways, have a good Independence Day.
Rather interesting. I have way too many record players myself. Not sure how the burger would go wall mounted tho.
In my youth there were a huge # of record players, we had a beautiful cabinet stereo with a hinged split top, I played many albums. It really was a beautiful piece of furniture.
The Enoch Light record you use to test your TTs deserves a medal 🏅 Great video, and Happy Fourth of July!
I cringed when the RokBlock went round the record.
The Clear Player would be just the thing for Prison use. Clear so you can tell nothing's being smuggled inside.
I miss this player from my childhood, I'll never forget when I was given my own record player when I was young, it wasn't the show n tell,but my parents knew how to open my heart ❤.
I never saw one of those bad-boy 'Show and Tell Phono Viewers' back-in-the-day. The fact you demonstrate these working models is serious cool shiznitz. I have NEVER seen a 3" Crosley record player, a true collectible. The 'Rokblok' has an awesome factor that cannot be described, albeit I would only use it on my overplayed K-Tel records from the early 70s which are in-destructible. The 'Music Public Kingdom' appears to be a Chinese knock-off of a similar record player available in the 70s which had a slide-in port for 45' records at the time. A precursor to the limited-release video disc quasi-cartridge style player of the mid-80s. Thanks for the awesome stuff Record-ology.
I remember the Show and Tell units. I hated them.
Strangest I've ever seen?
Highway Hi-Fi. It was an under-dash record player that Chrysler had as an option from '55 -'59. As if having a record player in your car wasn't strange enough; it used specially made 7" records that ran at 16 RPM.
Yes, it worked about as well as you'd think it would.
I've read about the Chrysler record player. Even stranger about the format is that the grooves are finer and thinner than regular LP grooves. While combined with 16 rpm it gives a longer playtime, you can only imagine how it all went down on the road...
Reminds me of the Laurel & Hardy movie where they had the first car with music. It was a turntable under the hood, lol
Never leave batteries in the player when it is being stored the acid will destroy it
As a little guy...in the late 40's-early 50's...though not a record player...were the Capitol Record Co's picture albums...these were an album with two 78's and a set of picture pages...the records feature the story with ques to turn the page, following the story in sound and pictures. In the cast of one album: "Bozo Under the Sea"..."When you hear the bubbles...turn the page!" Seeing Bozo's Undersea Adventures! Bozo was known as "The Capitol Clown"!
The most interesting turntable that I have heard of is the limited edition acrylic light up turntable player that Brian Eno designed.
I was so expecting to see one of those vertical mount players like the Pro-Ject Vertical Turntable or the Fuse Vert Turntable.
Record ology your utube videos are awesome
Oh man, the RokBlok is the worst! I'm still angry about buying that thing.
I had the red and white show and tell. It was my first turntable!! Loved it.
Do you have 78s if so what are most the artist
Oh yes! Glenn Miller, Bing, etc, etc… some real rarities too! Fun stuff.
Fun!
Someday, I’d like to get ahold of a 3” player. Maybe make a weight of some kind to add some mass.
23:05 This looks like the carry case for a '76 Smith Corona electric typewriter!
We should call the No.1 player "The Record Laucher". I like that one the most.
at around 21:30 the rok blok is the weirdest phono I have ever seen. It scoots around a sitting record like a little race car. Before this, I never even heard of it.
I find the Rok Blok a LOT weirder than the MPK. At least the MPK is practical. The Rok Blok isn’t.
In fact, I’d say the Rok Blok would be my #1 weird record player. The MPK wouldn’t even be on my list.
My #2 would be ANYTHING by Crosley (isn’t it interesting that 2 of your 5 weirdest record players are Crosleys)!!! I know, Crosley gets a bum rap much of the time. But frankly they deserve it sometimes, considering Cruisers and other things they make are just not good, period.
What a wacky lot of players! Was there a version of your No. 1 choice for 12 inch discs?
Ho-hum.
Here's a list you might find useful --- and considerably more interesting:
Garrard RC-100.
Lincoln Series 50.
Capehart turnover changer (2 versions, one for 78s only; the other also plays LPs).
RCA V-225 "Magic Brain".
Thorens TD224.
Victor 10-50.
Victor 10-35.
Each player has its own weirdest features haha it was all fun. Thank you!
Very cool selections.
The ultimate player in the style of that Crowley is the Sony Flamingo! Peace.
Somewhere, I have an '80s Japanese Audio Technica (I believe) like that first Crosley, but so much better quality. Haven't used it in years. I'll need to dig it out for a test. Also, a 1963 German-made, battery, red & ivory colored Channel-Master 45 record player that plays in any position. The 45 clips on to a large spindle, like some portable CD-players. Then a rubber roller drives the edge of the record, while the arm plays the underside. This also has an AM radio. Finally, I have a 1966 French-made compact battery portable Philips record-player that plays 33 and 45. You mentioned today's cheap plastic platters. This Philips has a heavy cast zinc-alloy platter and a relatively large speaker in the lid.
Just purchased the Best Buy Insignia turntable based on your review. I'd like to see you review the Monolith turntable by Monoprice. And you can do the less expensive one, 'cause that's the one that I would buy. lol
Record ology your top 5 weirdest Recored player is cool
That Phono Viewer record player looks very much like 👍 a Fisher-Price toy (electrically operated) record player from the 1970’s. This I don’t think 🤔 is a weird invention, although it used cards. Radiotvphononut 📻 at least approves of his plastic 1970’s Fisher-Price record player, over, say, a 2009 Crosley record player (with, or without a radio 📻). The Fisher-Price is just built sturdier, and no hot 🥵 glued circuitry parts. That second record player is about the equivalent of Techmoan’s Sound Burger 🍔. Your friend, Jeff.
Have you reviewed the Minot Wheel from Sweden.
I didn't expect to hear the Sasuke theme song here.
Quick comment you got to remove those batteries immediately those batteries will keep leaking and damage the unit you can still save the battery compartment ans clean up the battery terminals and still save the battery opperation ,I've had that happen only once but was not too severe and was able to clean up battery terminals but alwayswhen storing any battery operated unit for a long time you got to remove batteries ,did not mean to lecture ,but the sound burger is still cool and unique thing to have and to keep it running well they are very hard to find JRo
#1: I wanted one of those record player / slide player SO BAD when I was a kid!!
#2: It's a shame nobody thought to turn the cartridge / needle around backwards underneath the RokBlok so it would be dragging instead of pushing into the groove.
#3: That MPK record-eater sounds like some car CD players I've had: put in a CD, eject the CD... two lines across the disc. Enough in and out, and your CD won't track anymore.
#4: I've never made master rips of my records because I keep thinking, "I may get a slightly better platter," or "I may get a slightly better cartridge," or "I may learn a better way to clean the grooves..." Since it's not perfect, I don't make even a basic rip! (Dumb, I know. Like buying a record and hanging it on the wall instead of playing it...)
nice video
This was fun,good morning
IKEA just introduced a 'turntable', and I think it would belong on this list.
Based on what I've seen so far, it's a complete piece of.... overpriced and overrated equipment, though. Belt drive, magnetic cartridge, but....
Supposedly the result of a collaboration with some other company, and it is definitely 'unusual' looking, but it just looks cheap and poorly implemented. Yet, for some reason, they can't seem to keep up with demand. They're sold out EVERYWHERE.
LIKE number 1 which is always fun. :)
I remember that video, where you had to open up portable record player, what fun ! Great video
great
Hey I'm first! Love this!