I was looking at replacing a record player, and one that has just come up through freecycle has 4 speeds, 33, 45, 78 but also 16 RPM.
I don't think I've got any vinyl that plays at that speed, and all I can find online says it was 'low quality'. What is 16RPM used for, and what does it sound like? I thought this might be the right place to ask!
If I were you I would snag that record player.......quick. It's going to be older, a 50's or 60's model, and may very well be rare as the 16 RPM records were only used for a very select few people in the civilian population.
I didn't realise it was that rare! I think I'll be making a phone call and seeing if I can get hold of it, even if I don't have anything that plays at that speed yet. No one else seems interested, but then it isn't exactly modern.
gofar99 Messages: 1949 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, 16 was actually pretty common way back. It was mainly used for talking books and some limited low fi music. It the player is really nice...go for it, but just having 16 is no reason to buy it. Few records are made for anything other than 33 or 45 RPM. Most older stuff was either 33 for LPs or 45 for singles. Now some new LPs are made at 45 as well for extra high performance. You didn't really specify anything about the brand or the player. Some were horrible back then and there actually are some newer ones that are no better. I would not trust my records to 99% of the players from years gone by. Vintage turntables however are another story. Many are quite excellent and are worthy of use in modern systems. Anytime you want information regarding turntables and players the vinyengine.com forum is the place to go. A friendly forum with many knowledgeable folk.
Its a Thorn. I'd place it around 1950's or 60's, wooden frame, manual metal balancing weights at the end of the playing arm and steel and diamond needle fittings. Pretty good condition.
That sounds like an interesting piece of equipment. If you're good on Goggle, use that to see just how rare it is and what the asking price is for for like products.