Speed Freaks

[Jac Hawk]

I'm sure there is a good answer to this question, but why was 33 1/3 and 45 rpm chosen? and for that matter why did we choose 78rpm to begin with, only to change?:scratch::scratch:

[struth]

Good questions. 78 kinda happened as a bit of luck, chance really.. the motor just happened to turn at that speed, so records were cut at that aprox speed. 33 was a compromise as a push to increase sales. They tried for ages to get the grooves smaller withought luck til microgroove came about. 33 was just the given best of sound to amount of music. 45 was a counter of another company to get the market. Eventually they settled singles on 45 and lps on 33. 78 was given the royal heaveho
So 78 was the only technical speed reason as thats the speed the new motor turned at. The other 2 were just compromises of one sort or another

[Truckletheuncivil]

I've often wondered what 16rpmnwas for as I have never seen anything that plays at that speed

[struth]

I've often wondered what 16rpmnwas for as I have never seen anything that plays at that speed

Was for talking books if memory serves Kevin.

[Arkless Electronics]

Was for talking books if memory serves Kevin.

+1

[hifi_dave]

Yes, 16rpm was for 'Talking books'.

I have a few of those amongst a collection of 78s.

[jollyfix]

I have this very old tiny steel record, tucked away somewhere. Have not played it for years due to it being steel with a few , well how can i put this imagine a vinyl record with bits of steel grit in some of the grooves. Years ago i played it on my fathers old radiogram ,it worked on 16 rpm and was just this posh sounding bloke talking about the opening of Weston Super-mare pier.

[struth]

I have this very old tiny steel record, tucked away somewhere. Have not played it for years due to it being steel with a few , well how can i put this imagine a vinyl record with bits of steel grit in some of the grooves. Years ago i played it on my fathers old radiogram ,it worked on 16 rpm and was just this posh sounding bloke talking about the opening of Weston Super-mare pier.

Sounds like a direct to metal master youve got there Dave.

Yes it was occasionally used for music too, plus radio stations used them. One if the big US car companies made a in car system playing them too. They could come in various sizes but most ive seen were 7 and 10 inch, and gave about 20 mins of content on 7

[Pierre De Grenoble]

Sounds like a direct to metal master youve got there Dave.

Yes it was occasionally used for music too, plus radio stations used them. One if the big US car companies made a in car system playing them too. They could come in various sizes but most ive seen were 7 and 10 inch, and gave about 20 mins of content on 7

A friend has / had / sold it on eBay?? a 16". I think it was something to do with Edgar Allen Poe. obviously a radio broadcast thing. can't help wondering about the TT / arm that must have been used to play it.

[jollyfix]

Sounds like a direct to metal master youve got there Dave.

Yes it was occasionally used for music too, plus radio stations used them. One if the big US car companies made a in car system playing them too. They could come in various sizes but most ive seen were 7 and 10 inch, and gave about 20 mins of content on 7
Come to think of it ,there was music on one side and the pier thing on the other. the thing is only about 5" in size with a red paper label

[struth]

The 16 's books were supposed to be used with a stylus of 0.5 mil to avoid damage. the car system was Highway HiFi... here is a link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_Hi-Fi

[Truckletheuncivil]

Thank you for the info everybody. I've only ever seen in car ones that played 45rpm 7"s. Not sure I'd want to risk any record I cared about though