Coronado 16/45 rpm automatic record player

[radiotvnut]

Here's a rather odd duck from '58 - a Coronado automatic record player that plays large spindle hole 7" records at either 16 rpm or 45 rpm. The amp is a typical one tube model and the changer was made by VM. During the mid-to-late '50's, there was a company who made 16 rpm talking books that were on 7" records with a large spindle hole, just like a standard 45 rpm record.

I have not done any work to this player; but, it should be an interesting repair project.

From what I can tell about the VM 7" changers; they shut off after the last record and they retract the idler wheel when not in use (unlike the RP190 changers from the same era).

[jstout66]

Love it! You find the best stuff.

[Olorin67]

Really cool! Thats not one Ive ever seen a photo of. The VM 7" changers do not seem to be to common, I'm still looking for one. The RP-190 changers that were made by crescent for RCA and others are way more common. crescents factory burned down in 57 or 58, ending production of the rp-190, so companies that still wanted to market a 7" changer had to go to VM, but full size record changers had gotten so cheap by that time, and the popularity of LP records meant that 7" only changers only had a limited market by that time, and The 7" changers died out. I have about 15 of the rp190s and rp-168s, but ive never run across one of the VMs.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by radiotvnut

Here's a rather odd duck from '58 - a Coronado automatic record player that plays large spindle hole 7" records at either 16 rpm or 45 rpm. The amp is a typical one tube model and the changer was made by VM. During the mid-to-late '50's, there was a company who made 16 rpm talking books that were on 7" records with a large spindle hole, just like a standard 45 rpm record.

I have not done any work to this player; but, it should be an interesting repair project.

From what I can tell about the VM 7" changers; they shut off after the last record and they retract the idler wheel when not in use (unlike the RP190 changers from the same era).

I thought the talking book records had the small spindle hole
The Chrysler hi-way hi-fi records had the large spindle hole, like the 45's.
Having never seen neither, I could be mistaken.

[truetone36]

I have the Bible on 7" 16 RPM records that have the large spindle hole, and they were pressed around the same time this phonograph was made. I haven't seen any other records like them out there, though.

[Tony V]

Seeburg produced 16rpm records for some of their machines also. They looked just like 45's. I have a few.

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Olorin67

Really cool! Thats not one Ive ever seen a photo of. The VM 7" changers do not seem to be to common, I'm still looking for one. The RP-190 changers that were made by crescent for RCA and others are way more common. crescents factory burned down in 57 or 58, ending production of the rp-190, so companies that still wanted to market a 7" changer had to go to VM, but full size record changers had gotten so cheap by that time, and the popularity of LP records meant that 7" only changers only had a limited market by that time, and The 7" changers died out. I have about 15 of the rp190s and rp-168s, but ive never run across one of the VMs.

I don't think, they burned down that early.
All the Silvertone changers built later than that, were Crescent built, unless Warwick bought the tooling. I know the Sears changers had the 528 source on the nameplate.
BTW, the tone arm has the V-M look to it.

[Olorin67]

I think Crescent had more than one plant, just the 45 changer plant burned. The later silvertone full size changers were made by Alliance, I think. silvertone had more than one changer supplier.
i have a Chrysler Hiway hifi record, it has a small hole, and uses a smaller groove and needle. It has a warning on the sleeve about only playing it wwith the right size needle. The record has 13 songs crammed on it! most other 16 rpm records were large hole.

[jr_tech]

Another unusual 16 2/3 player would be the Seeburg 1000 which used 9 inch records with a 2 inch center hole:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seeburg_1000
They show up once in a while on the 'bay... might be fun to collect. The programming is elevator music.
Streaming and info here: http://www.seeburg1000.com/

jr

[dieseljeep]

Originally Posted by Olorin67

I think Crescent had more than one plant, just the 45 changer plant burned. The later silvertone full size changers were made by Alliance, I think. silvertone had more than one changer supplier.
i have a Chrysler Hiway hifi record, it has a small hole, and uses a smaller groove and needle. It has a warning on the sleeve about only playing it wwith the right size needle. The record has 13 songs crammed on it! most other 16 rpm records were large hole.

Alliance, only made the motors!
VM used them as well.
General Industries made phono motors, as well. They had the pot-metal bearing brackets.

[KentTeffeteller]

And those Seeburg records demand a .5 mil stylus and a magnetic cartridge at light tracking forces.