Slower Than Slow: 16 RPM Records
Because most, but not all, 16s had big holes and were 7" in diameter many of
them were mistaken for 45 RPMs and at that size the speed allowed for up to 20
minutes of playing time per side. However, there was no true standard size
and they were also manufactured to be 9, 10, or 12 inches in diameter, and
these larger records played even longer. Just like the other speeds and
formats 16s could be played one record at a time or stacked on a changer for
continuous play.
Radio stations often used the discs for pre-recorded radio shows containing
interviews, dramas, and documentaries. More frequently they became the
first "Talking Books" for the blind. Pictured at the left is a
16 RPM record of H. G. Wells' The Time Machine narrated by
actor Dan O'Herlihy.
16 RPM records were too slow for proper high fidelity sound. Because good
quality reproduction was not possible they were mostly used as outlets for
the spoken word although there were some exceptions. For example, see this
label from a 16 RPM Miles Davis disc on the Prestige label.
The famous Seeburg 1000 was a record player that was used exclusively
to play background music in offices and restaurants. The system used 16 RPM
discs that were 9 inches in diameter and could be stacked on traditional 45
RPM spindle adapters. The records for this system were monaural and could
play up to 40 minutes per side. Because the Seeburg's usage was strictly
intended for background music the sound quality was not a major concern. You
can find out a lot more details on this subject
here.
Finally, believe it or not, Chrysler Corporation created
Highway Hi-Fi, an audio format that enabled the 16 RPM records to be
played in their cars from 1956 to 1958. The system employed a sapphire
stylus with a ceramic pickup on a turntable that was installed below the
instrument panel. A record player installed in a car? Yes, it really
happened. Here is a
more detailed article
about it should you be interested in learning more.
It is obvious why the format died. Cassettes came along allowing people to
listen to books in their cars or while jogging around town. Broadcasters
also discovered superior sounding and more efficient ways to solve their
transcription needs but, for a brief era, the 16 RPM record served a
specific and useful purpose.
Even back in their heyday 16s were hard to find because most of them were
manufactured for commercial usage only. Many retail outlets who sold records
didn't even bother to keep them in stock. I have never seen one nor do I
know anyone who ever owned one. Have any of you ever had the pleasure?
Here's another article you may be interested in.
Why Do 45 RPM Records Have Big Holes?
I've never seen one of them either, but our old RCA portable stereo had a setting for it. My buddies and I got some hoots one evening playing 45s at 16 rpm. (The stereo also had a setting - and a second needle - for 78s.)
ReplyDeleteYes. I saw a Victrola with this feature. It's a metal lever near the plate,
DeleteMe and my brother use to do that with the 45 rpm single of The Surfaris' "Wipeout" and that beginning laugh played at that speed, of 16 rpm, becomes nearly demonic in nature. I would say perfect for Halloween!
DeleteEven better is when you play an Alvin and the Chipmunks record at 16 RPM.
DeleteDave servile did all the voices
DeleteActually David Seville was just a pseudonym, his real name was Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
DeleteI used to play Barry White's Just a little more, baby on 16 rpm, and I tell you, demonic and scary were the sounds, but I loved it
DeleteI've seen 16s once in my life...about 30 years ago at a garage sale when I was 10. I didn't buy them as I didn't have the option on my stereo, nor do I remember what they contained. (I do, however, recall picking up decent-condition originals...stereo, i believe...of Beatles '65 and Something New at the same sale for cheap.) I'm still waiting to see a few blow through my used-media day job and I've been with the company since '93.
ReplyDeleteWe had them in elementary schools in the 70s
DeleteThanks for posting this. My church had record players in their Sunday School classrooms that had a 16 RPM setting (in addition to 33 & 45 RPM settings). I've long wondered about 16 RPM records.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the opposite extreme, the 78 RPM records? Do you have any plans to do a write-up on those as well?
I had at least one 16 rpm record when I was a child - IIRC it was a recording of Quick Draw McGraw (the cartoon character horse of the 60's and 70's).
ReplyDeleteI have set of five 16RPM records by the Audio Book Company, Los Angeles, CA. The records look like new and four of them have sleeves. They are in the original box, titled "The Adventures of Pinocchio" read by Marvin Miller. I would like to pass these on to someone who is interested and knows their value.
ReplyDeletedo you still have The Adventures of Pinocchio 16 rpm I have,nt any idea of their value . I have The adventures of tom sawyer and the wizard of oz. I picked up an old record player that plays 16rpms. my e mail address is marlenej2001@hotmail.com
DeleteWe have a complete set of "Voice of Scripture" Talking Bible album
ReplyDeletebut ann't find a 16 2/3 rpm player
I have the turntable itself with the records in it.
DeleteI have a copy of the New Testament on these records. there is supposed to be an adapter that came with it, to allow them to be played by a record player at 33 1/3 speed.
ReplyDeleteI think I have the Bible audio book you are talking about with the adapter. But from what I can tell the adapter is only for the purpose of acommodating the huge hole (about twice the size of a 45) at the center of the the record so that it can fit on a typical 33 1/3 player. My player only does a minimum of 33 1/3 so the words were way too fast. The adapter does nothing to change the speed of the turntable.
Delete1way2heaven, you are wrong. The adapter does change the speed. Here you can see it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0VWBVO9KQo
DeleteAn uncle who was blind had a collection of 16 rpm Recordings for the Blind as well as classical music; and he converted his wire recordings of family gatherings into 16 rpms. We have a few recordings of a family member's violin recordings done for a radio program but no one's heard them. I have no idea of how to have them digitized.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a very old post, but there are a few possible solutions, and yes, you can do it yourself. I'm sure there are also services out there who will do the conversion for you if you wish.
DeleteFar Out Music in Jeffersonville, In 47130, has a recording studio the did some reel to reel recordings and put them on cassette years ago. They are still open, so they would be a good place to call. If they could help, I would think they would know who could. They have all the professional equipment for big stage,performances to lessons for school kids.
DeleteMy name is Ron and I have the turntable it was made in 1962 hawthore,calif. It has the records at the speed 16 2/3. e-mail me if interested in this turntable. rita2045@att.net
ReplyDeleteI would like to buy it. my email is poppahollick666@gmail.com
DeleteArgo Records, particularly, if I'm remembering correctly, offered a series of full-cast Shakespeare plays on single lps at 16 rpm sometime in the 1960s and early '70s, and those were the only discs I ever used my early '70s Panasonic's setting to play back when not simply screwing around. Sapphire styli, btw, were pretty common in the 1950s...if you wanted to go even cheaper, there were cadmium styli (though of course any self-respect Hi-Fi obsessive would plump for a diamond stylus).
ReplyDeleteI don't remember what the industry standard was for "transcribed" and syndicated radio programming was in 1930s and '40s radio, but I do remember it involved large discs...that should be easy enough to look up.
I worked for a TV station in the 60s and when we tore out an old board we found huge red records with transitional music, bumbers, commercials and fill music. Some tracks were 3 seconds long! Thelarge turntables accommodated all the formats listed here, but it all had to go for the upgraded equipment. ...
DeleteI just purchased two 16 RPM records by accident while digging at a used shop. I'm dying to hear them (both are Jimmy Swaggert lecturing... one on what the Bible says about drugs and one about how the atomic bomb relates to the second coming of Jesus).
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know any modern equipment to play a 16 RPM record?
I have an Audio Technica AT-LP1240 turntable. Although not mentioned, the slide speed pitch control will vary the speed up to 50% by pressing the 10% and 20% buttons together and moving the slide all the way to minus. The speed will be precisely 16 2/3. Even the strobe will be still (although the dots will appear twice as close to each other. I made a You tube video of the turntable playing all 4 speeds. I have the two bible sets (Old & New Testamates (52 seven in records) plus I have The Modern Jazz Quartette on a 12 in record "Prestige 1" and one Seeberg 9" record.
DeleteThe 16 RPM has always remained in the memory and I have often wondered at it. It resurfaced just the other day when I was talking music and records with a chance acquaintance. Back in the late 40s when I was growing up in India, I remember Dad placing a small disc with a brown label on the hand-cranked HMV turntable and disgruntled sounds emanating from it, which Dad identified to me as being Bolero on the one side and La Paloma on the other. Both were truncated versions of the two classics. And, from what I have been reading above, the 16 RPM was never used to record music, which tells me I may be under an illusion. However, I am quite sure that the 45 RPM did not make make its appearance in India until the early 50s. The disc is no longer in my possession, dad's been gone these 15 years and I am in my late 60s, still fascinated by the image of that 16 RPM disc but unable to corroborate what I have just written. Perhaps someone with a more vivid memory can help?
ReplyDeleteI am from South Africa and was fortunate enough to play a 16 rpm music record belonging to an aunt. This was quite a rare LP of the late Jim Reeves, one he recorded while filming "Kimberly Jim" here in our country, IIRC. There is also a video of it on Youtube. The music quality is quite decent but then again, modern pop music would not sound too good on such a slow record. Interesting to note that there are also 8 rpm records still around, these were produced for the blind or visually impaired.
ReplyDeleteI have a stereo LP at 16 2/3 rpm titled "Enjoy An Hour In Stereoland with Will Kennedy & His Orchestra." It's on a label called Dancetime Music, in "Ultra-Astro-Sonic Sound." The disc contains 32 instrumentals with titles like "Swinging Out Tonight" and "Happiness Highway." It has a $6.98 price on the jacket, but is also marked "Produced exclusively for Magnavox dealers," so it may have been a promotional give-away with Magnavox players. I can only play it at 33 1/3, and the effect is exactly like what Benny Hill did back in the 70's, playing nondescript dance band records at double speed behind his comedy sketches!
ReplyDeleteJust purchased, cleaned and now playing "Enjoy An Hour In Stereo land", Cat # LP WK-1502-S on my Dual 1019 @ 16 2/3 with Shure M91ED and NOS stylus. The fidelity is actually amazingly good with terrific imaging of the instruments!
DeleteI actually have the 1956 Audio Book company Music series on 16 2/3. Most still in plastic. They have collections like "all time favorites", "Famous show tunes", and "world's greatest music (classical)". I have no player for them, so I couldn't even tell you if the songs are done by the original artists.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I can, I'll post pictures of an old machine thay played 16, 33, 45 and 78 RPM.
ReplyDeleteJust came across a Magnavox cabinet stereo that somebody in our neighborhood had left out at the curb. It was a dead ringer for the one our family had back in the 1960s through 1980s, and it has settings for 16, 33, 45 and 78. Even came with the thick 45 stack adapter that I never remember seeing on ours; now I know what that strange tube was on the side of the record player compartment. I took pictures to text to my son (who's into Mid-Century stuff) and brother (who's my age but probably doesn't remember the old Magnavox like I do).
DeleteGrowing up, my Dad had a record player that had 16, 33, 45 and 78 RPM. I never knew why there was a 16 speed until recently. That player is long gone. We would listen to 33 or 45 rpm records at the 16 speed because we could. Probably got innundated with satanic messages the entire time.
ReplyDeleteDude, that was my childhood! We never considered the full entertainment potential of a record exhausted until we had played it on all 4 speeds. And maybe spun it backwards a little.
DeleteThe percussion sequence from Steam's "Na Na Hey Hey, Kiss Him Goodbye" sounded freaky slowed from 33 to 16. Also the spacey keyboard sequence from Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" slowed from 45 to 16. That was back in the days when we taped quarters and nickels to the tone arm to alleviate the scratches.
DeleteTry playing "L A Woman" by The Doors lp at 16 RPM. The beginning of the title tune is fantastic at half speed.
DeleteI too am from South. AFRICA, and recently inherited a stack of old classics from my dad. In this collection is 3 lp's with the speed of 83rpm on them. Never heard of this. Any info would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI too have never heard of this here but remember reading about it as one of many of non standard speeds from the early days. South Africa had a lot of British living there and maybe the players from the UK had this speed. The 78RPM is pretty close to this speed and is only off by 6%. If you can locate a record player that has a variable speed control and has the 78RPM speed it may be able to be turned up to the 83RPM speed or close enough not to matter. If you were able to make a rip to an MP3 some of the players around for PC have variable speed capability to do it electronically
DeleteI would think that if you were able to digitize a 16 RPM recording at 33 RPM then used software (such as Sound Forge, Adobe Audition, or Audacity) to halve the speed that you would likely get fairly decent results.
ReplyDeleteyou do, it works very well. i did my christmas 78s last year with audacity, the results were brilliant
DeleteAnyone who laughs off a record player in a car is not familiar with the concept of "parking" or with the fact that the car was bigger than the "room" we're supposed to get.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of record players has the 16 RPM feature. In the 1970s, we had one that had that setting along with 33, 45 and 78. We often would slow down or speed up albums for kicks as kids. On the "Magic Garden" LP, if you played the Chuckle Patch on slow it sounded very spooky. I saw many 78s at garage sales and such, but I don't think ever a 16.
ReplyDeleteTry playing a fucking Chipmunks album
DeleteI had a Morse Code training record that was recorded at 16 2/3 RPM for learning Morse Code for what was then the Novice Amateur Radio License.
ReplyDeleteI kind of remember one that was actually a long play record. My Dad was the manager at the Masindi Hotel (Uganda) in 1962 and the record was in the hotel collection. I was quite little then but I think it had 16+ tracks on each side. One of the tracks was Roamin in the Gloamin and I think it also had Greensleeves. It was played on something that looked like an ornate chest....
ReplyDeleteI used to listen to the Beatles' Within You Without You at 16 speed on my old stereo - it was pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to find this page. I remember getting records in the 50's and 60's as a teenager in NYC. I had a 4 speed Record Player and enjoyed the medium and the Concert Music I liked to listen to. I haven't touched this subject for a number of years and was beginning to think my memory was faulty. Thanks for the verification.
ReplyDeleteif you wish to digitize them you can download software like "audacity" (thats what i use for my 78's) and it will do it for you. you play the record at 33 or 45 and then tell it what speed you want it to take it to.
ReplyDeletehope this helps
yes these discs are still popular!They are the fore father of mp3s!Some people want to bring them back
ReplyDeleteI have a working rca highway hi-fi in a 56 Plymouth with 7 16 2/3 records
ReplyDeletedoes it only run at 16rpm with it been a car stereo, what voltage does it work on, and another thing i have always wondered is what does "RCA" stand for
DeleteRadio Corporation of America.
DeleteLinked to you from my Listening to Prestige Records blog -- http://opusforty.blogspot.com/2014/07/listening-to-prestige-records-project_23.html
ReplyDeleteLOL!! I'm 67 years old and finally thought about this and researched it. What a revelation. We bought a new stereo in about 1960 which had 4 speeds: 78,45,33 1/3, and 16 2/3. I never saw a 16 rpm record,but I do remember seeing a 1964 Dodge which had been customized and it did have a record player between the front bucket seats. I remember that it had a wide spindle like a 45 player. I bet they skipped like crazy when the car was in motion even with a sapphire stylus.
ReplyDeleteMy Dad sold a thing in late 50s early 60s called the Christian Faith Audio Library it included the King James version of the whole Bible along with several Audiobooks on 16 2/3 records. There were also a bunch of 331/3 music albums to on "Christian Faith" Label (wish I could find any or all of those) .We had an adapter that had 4 layers the layer in the middle had ball bearings and moved at half the speed of the moving part when the other layer was held still by a long steel rod. Movement of the bearing layer was transmitted in the center to the top where the record was placed. As a kid I memorized a bunch of poetry and Poe stories spending lots of time with 16 2/3 records.
ReplyDeleteJust ran across the Poe Audiobook in a used book store which precipitated my finding this blog.
Having a player with 16 2/3 as a kid "de-mystified" the secret of the Chipmunks for me. Just take an old Chipmunks LP, play it at 16, and you'll hear David Seville (Ross Bagdasarian, Senior) overdubbing his own voice and v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y singing three-part harmonies with himself!
ReplyDeleteBack in the early till mid 70's, a Swiss manufacturer Lenco, had a model called L75. On this player you can play 16-33-45-78 rpm records. This player is very reliable, even after all these years. Without any maintenance it keeps going perfectly for over 30 years. I have just bought one, for playing my old 78 rpm records. The build quality is amazing. No match for any record player build nowadays. It also weighs a ton. If you want, you can still buy them today, for example on Ebay ( http://www.ebay.com/bhp/lenco-turntable ). I asked myself why the 16 rpm option was there, until I came along this blog. But true, at that speed it will be difficult to produce a nice piece of music. Spoken words, no problem. Now I know they exist, I try to find and buy one, just for fun. So my Lenco L75, will be used to it's full potential.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Lenco produce the first consumer straight arm turntable, that travelled at the exact straight line of a record, just like when they are cut?
DeleteSometime about 1958 or 59 my parents bought an His Master's Voice player in country Australia and it had the 16 rpm setting. I never knew what it was for. Just a few minutes ago I was talking to my father (aged 91) and the subject came up and he asked me if I knew what it was for, and so I am here. I had an idea that records of bird calls were on 16 but it looks like I'm wrong.
ReplyDeleteProbably the first big local rock 'n roll stars in Australia was the late Johnny O'Keefe. According to a doco I once saw about him, he had a record player in his car, it was shown on screen.
Another curiosity was a record that my mother had, on the Columbia label by Vivian Foster "The Vicar of Mirth". Apparently a 78 rpm one, it was labelled 80 rpm. Some of the old clockwork players had a speed adjustment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp33ZcfFQ7A
Just remember all those Audio Book Company St Joseph Michigan discs or their Music Library counterparts i.e. especially the Highway hi Fi discs CANNOT be played by a normal 33 LP stylus or it will be destroyed in one play.
ReplyDeleteThe 16-RPMs that play like an LP (i.e. those from any major label (RCA Columbia Prestige, Will Kennedy Dancetime etc) are fine to play on a normal mono (1.0 mil) or stereo (0.7 mil) stylus as appropriate.
Everything else, save for the Highway Hi Fi needs a HALF mil (0.5) stylus in order to play properly. The HHF needs a QUARTER mil (0.25) stylus in order to play properly. I do this for a living for over 30 years. Look me up under ``diamone'' on most of the phonograph and vintage media websites.
I have a record from the 70s that was issued by the Library of Congress for blind people to listen to books on vinyl. It has an 8, 16 and 33 speeds. I have been searching forever for an 8 and or 16 speed record. If any one knows anywhere I could find one or has some to sell please email me at jml51@students.uwf.edu. thanks!
ReplyDeleteOur family had a record player that had 4 speeds: 16, 33 1/3, 45, and 78. I discovered that at the beginning of the Monkees' Star Collector, if you play it at 16, you hear someone say "the purple."
ReplyDeleteI had a guitar tutorial one, 12" Blue label. That's all I can remember.....
ReplyDeleteI have found one in my father's old collection of 45's. Still going through and cataloging them. The one I currently have is Audio Book - Music Series (AF 103 ABM 2021)
ReplyDeleteSide 1
How Deep Is The Ocean
Don't Blame Me
Diane
I Wonder
Missouri Waltz
Side 2
Leaves Of The Danube
L'Amour
Blue Moon
At Sundown
Everything I Have Is Yours
I cannot find this album in any listing, anywhere. I cannot find an LOC listing for 16 2/3 albums. If anyone has info, can you email me?
kuro.tenshi.9.73@gmail.com
I played a 33&1/3 speed Mettalica album on 16 speed and got Black Sabbath.
ReplyDeleteThey use to come on yellow and red and we had stories on ours when I was a kid like hand Christian Anderson. I forgot about them
ReplyDeleteCool..
ReplyDeleteRather hilarious thing happened. I have one and didn't know it and I was getting ready to put it on YouTube. But when I record to my computer I have to actually have it at audible volume. So, I am going to have to listen to a chipmunk in my living room for however long this record is. Probably not 40 minutes or so since it's on double speed!
ReplyDeleteGoing to see if I can reduce it back to sounding normal in my audio software.
ReplyDeleteI own a 16 r.p.m. record of "Tip Toe through The Tulips".. Interesting fact is that the record is yellow in color and seems in perfect condition...
ReplyDeleteDo you want to part with it. thechevman37@gmail.con
ReplyDeleteI have 3 16 2/3 RPM discs: Jan, Feb, Mar 1978 LIFE AND HEALTH MAGAZINE Published by the Christian Record Braille Foundation, Inc. Manufactured at American Printing House For The Blind Louisville, Ky. I figured they would make for some interesting DJ scratching material. In good condition. If anyone wants them, lmk. manahoacfarm@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've been repairing collecting playing music as an audio tech from home stereo in the 70s to Pro Audio for 40 years. Never ever seen and 16 2/3 record. And what's with this 8 and 1/3 speed I first seen tonight!
ReplyDelete8-1/3 rpm records were only used in library services for the blind. They weren't used for anything else as far as I can tell.
DeleteI have a lot of records in 16RPM, cant play them though, very disappointing that I can not play these records and or know how to get them transferred to CD to play them.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a record player and the capability to hook its output to your computer's sound card, you have the equipment you need.
Delete1. Set your record player for 33-1/3 RPM.
2. Connect your record player to the sound card of your computer.
3. Download a program called AUDACITY. It's freeware; just google it. If you want to convert the audio to the MP3 format, you will need a third-party plugin; AUDACITY'S website discusses this.
4. Start your record player and record the audio in Audacity.
5. Find the settings in Audacity to change tempo WITHOUT altering pitch. Set this to 50 percent.
6. Export the resulting file to your chosen format. From there, you should be able to burn it to CD.
You do want the pitch to change in this case. Select change speed. This will change the tempo and pitch.
DeleteThank you for the correction.
DeleteI remember than one of my younger siblings or cousins had a book, that had a red 16RPM attached to the binding, on the inside of the book, and it was made so that you could break around the outside of the record, and put it on your record player. Sorry, I don't remember the name of the book, but it was a book for small children.
ReplyDeleteI remember these from elementarry school. Some were bright yellow or red and had children's songs like Little red caboose songs like that. This was in the early 1970s
ReplyDeleteOnly 16rpm record I've seen was Tales of Terror (Poe) read by Nelson Olmsted on the UK Top Rank label.
ReplyDeleteI just purchased a used 4 speed kids solid-state record player with 16 rpm setting to play my five record set 'talking book" collection of "The Wizard of Oz". It has twenty four chapters and my 16 rpm records are in perfect shape. I listened to them as a child and now will hear them again after several decades. Yes, I remember our record players and turntables back in the sixties and seventies all seemed to have four speeds. Much more depth and story detail on these long play records than I have found in any video of the movie and that's what makes it great.
ReplyDeleteI just found a whole set of Bible Study records named "The Bible Speaks for Itself by W.B. Harvey,D.D. I found them at my 87 year old mother-in-law's house. I have no way to play them but would love to hear them. Times have changed as well as church teachings and standards.
ReplyDeleteI own volume 1 of that very set, still in its ornate 'album' binder and in nearly pristine condition. 13 seven inch records, each playing about 20 minutes per side, translucent ruby red vinyl. Subsequent volumes are difficult to find.
Deletendiamone here. Look me up on any one of a number of vinyl and tape sites like vinylengine tapeheads audiokarma lathetrolls etc etc
ReplyDeleteCharlie Ricci said: ``Radio stations often used the dics for pre-recorded radio shows containing interviews, dramas, and documentaries.''
Actually not. What you are probably referencing is sixteen INCH radio transcriptions, with a disc half over again the size of a 12-inch LP not sixteen RPM discs as radio station turntables had no way of playing them.
Transcription discs in addition to their large size were also often vertically modulated instead of the conventional lateral cut - so - since 99% of mono consumer phonographs couldn't handle the disc size or play back the program either from being recorded in the wrong plane (you'd just get surface noise and no music) - for the first 20 years of the format - they wouldn't play any longer per side than a modern LP due to the fact that the earliest ones used a 78 groove (2.7-3.0 mil).
Once the microgroove was perfected, 16-inch transcriptions could now carry TWO 15-minute programs per side instead of just one. But very shortly thereafter, as tape and disc technology had improved enough to get the same fidelity on a 12-inch disc or reel to reel tape, it became simpler just to press those or send out tape dubs.
They were used to provide entertainment to military in WW II. They were larger diameter that 33s.
ReplyDeleteThey were used at radio stations for prerecorded commercials in the early-mid 1960s. The discs were larger than LPs.
ReplyDeletePlaces like the Empire State Building and the Boardwalk in Atlantic City had little recording booths that you could record your voice. You had the option of what speed to record, including 16 2/3RPM.
ReplyDeleteI have never use it but it seems to be a good record player. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJust see 16 RPM records at the junk store. Habitat For Humanity. Midland MI.
ReplyDeleteHello.I am looking for a 16 2/3 rpm record from the Audio Book World's Greatest Music Series.IT is WG803 Johann Jr. and Josef Strauss(Waltzes and Polkas).I am also looking for the following 16 2/3 Rpm Vox VXL albums.VXL-1 Tchaikovsky,VXL-2 Beethoven,VXL-3 Rimsky-Korsakov-Tchaikovsky,VXL-4 Around the World-Around the Clock,VXL-5 Symphonies,VXL-6 Piano Concertos,VXL-7 Dance Party.IF anyone can help me out with these albums and record,would you please let me know.,from Richard B
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and comments, lots of good information here. I just picked up a 16 RPM of ‘Round the World A Musical Trip via Pan American Airlines. I love odd records like this, so I was researching it when I found this site. I didn’t see this listed in the comments so I figured I’d post about it. It was put out by VOX and was part of an experiment that didn’t last. They put out 8 or so records according to Discogs.
ReplyDeleteAnd referring to a previous post about 16 INCH records, I too have one of those. My copy was made to be used in a movie theater, it has promos for the movie “El Paso” on it and was mailed from Paramount Pictures on April 20th, 1949, as I have the mailing envelope also. I found a lot of these recently and purchased the nicest one of the bunch, just to have a copy.
Good blog,Steve O.At this time,I am still looking for the following 16 2/3 rpm VOX albums from 1957,VXL-1 Tchaikovsky,VXL -2 Beethoven,VXL-6 Piano Concertos,VXL-7 Dance party.I found the VXL-3,VXL-4 and VXL-5 albums.I am also looking for a Audio Book Series 16 2/3 rpm record World's Greatest Music WG803 Johann Jr. & Josef Strauss-Waltzes and Polkas.If anyone has any of these,please let me know.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid we had a Beatles LP that played on 16 2/3- and we also happened to have a console stereo with 16 2/3, 33 1/3, 45, and 78.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what ever happened to that Beatles album, but I sure wish I had it today.
Always wondered. Early 70s kids record players. Now i know. Fascinating article. thank you.
ReplyDeleteI was able to find the VXL-2 Beethoven 16 2/3 rpm VOX 1957 album.IF anyone has any of the other 16 2/3 rpm albums,could you please let me know.
ReplyDeleteI have 9 of the Audio Books series from 1956
DeleteI have 9 of the 16 2/3 audio books records from 1956
DeleteI am all set on the 1956 Audio Book 16 2/3 rpm records.I am now only looking for 1957 VOX 16 2/3 rpm albums-VXL-1 Tchaikovsky,VXL-6 Piano Concertos and VXL-7 Dance Party.If anyone has any of these three albums ,could you kindly let me know.Thanks.
DeleteThese 16.66 records were commonly used in distributing audio books for the deaf, the US Government ran it like a library service. I remember it because my grandmother was deaf and she used to receive monthly boxes via US Postal Service, containing 16.66 vinyl records with braille markings on the disk and the sleeve.
ReplyDeleteAudio books for the deaf? Instructions in Braille for the deaf?
DeleteMy parents owned an RCA TV/stereo/AM-FM unit that had a 16 2/3 (and a 78) setting. Never had a record in that format but used to play albums at 1/2 speed for a laugh.
ReplyDeleteXTL mono (Columbia Custom matrix numbers XTL-86001 thru XTL-86006). 16 2/3 rpm. 7" Spoken word. Spindle hole labels. Labels state "Accepted as free matter solely (as a Talking Book) for the use of the blind at Bridgeport, Connecticut" (commercial use only). Client: CHOICE MAGAZINE. #1 Prospect Avenue., Port Washington, L.I., New York. 5,000 copies pressed November 26, 1962, according to Columbia Custom files (initial order: 3,500 copies). Pressed by Columbia Record Productions. Platinum label, Blue-Green print. Labels state "Special Issue" (June, 1962). Three disks (catalog #1001 thru 1006 as shown on labels). These were a project of The Mertz Foundation. I have a label copy.
ReplyDeleteI have the "enjoy an hour in Sterioland" album mentioned above, don't remember where I got it or when and have never listened to it even though I have two record players that play this speed.
ReplyDeleteI had a Seeburg background disc many years ago.. a novelty for sure.. not very stable..
ReplyDeleteAt this time,I am only looking for a VXL-6 Piano Concertos VOX album that plays at 16 2/3 rpm speed.Would anyone have it?
ReplyDeleteThere is software available which can simulate another speed by slowing down or speeding up a recording. I used this when I needed to convert a 78 RPM record to MP3 but didn't have a turntable with 78. Recorded it at 45RPM and used the software to convert as if recorded at 78 RPM. Worked great. I'm sure you could do the same with a 16RPM record since modern turntables don't have 16 as a speed. Can't remember the name of the product but should be easy to find on Google.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input but I am going to just be patient for awhile longer in hopes that this 16 2/3 VXL-6 VOX Piano Concertos album might show up at some point but I certainly won't hold my breath.
DeleteHello.Does anyone have any of the following 16 2/3 rpm Audio talking book records-Treasure Island,The Red Badge of Courage,Audio Book of Great Essays,Just So Stories,A Christmas Carol, Best of Mark Twain,The King of the Golden River/The Great Stone Face and The Adventures of Pinocchio.I am looking for any of these.
DeleteIF anyone has any of the 16 2/3 rpm Audio talking book records from the want list I mentioned and are willing to help me out in locating them,could you please let me know.
DeleteHello.At this time,I am looking for a few 16 2/3 rpm Audio talking book records.AUDIO BOOK OF GREAT ESSAYS,RED BADGE OF COURAGE,TREASURE ISLAND,JUST SO STORIES,A CHRISTMAS CAROL,BEST OF MARK TWAIN,THE KING OF THE GOLDEN RIVER/GREAT STONE FACE AND THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO. I am still also looking for 16 2/3 RPM VOX VXL-6 PIANO CONCERTOS ALBUM WITH THE VXL SHEET.Can anyone help me out?
ReplyDeleteI have Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on 16rpm 10" with Braille on on side of the label.
DeleteNice post thank you Eric
ReplyDeleteI have a 1956 Imperial that has Highway Hi Fi and it works. I only have the 6 records that came with the car and they are mostly classical. If anyone has any 16 and 2/3rd records they would part with, then I would be interested. Contact mavrix@xtra.co.nz
ReplyDeleteMy father had some old 16 DPM in his jazz collection, which have been passed down to me with so.me 78s.
ReplyDeleteSame here, Bernard.
ReplyDeleteMarko
CKORD
I have a few of the 9 inch Seeburg background music records. They actually have a larger center hole than 45s, so the 45 adapter would be too small, but you can get inserts on eBay designed specifically for the Seeburgs. And when it comes to record changers, most are designed only for 7, 10, or 12 inch records, but some Magnavox Collaro changers can detect oddball sizes. I’ve got one of those units and I used it to play those records when I’m working.
ReplyDeleteI remember 78 RPM records. They had one song on each side. They were stored in a paper jacket bound like a photograph album. There were fiv records making the album having 10 songs. Thus the termonology, phonographic album.
ReplyDeleteI have Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on 16rpm 10" vinyl with Braille on one side of the label. I'm trying to figure out what it's worth.
ReplyDeletePossibly $50.IT is only a guess on my part.
DeleteRecord players with the 16 RPM setting were very common. My friends and I used it to learn guitar licks. You could play an LP at half speed, which was slow enough to copy even fast licks, and because it was at half speed it was the same notes at a lower octave.
ReplyDelete