"Both sides" autochanger - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

rontech · 14th Nov 2018, 3:23 pm

I would be interested if anyone has information on the above.

As a child I was given a set of "Pictorial Knowledge" a sort of encyclopaedia for children. In a section on "The wonders of Wireless" There was a picture of the latest (1939 ish) thing in radiograms. The autochanger seemed to have a wide gripper bar sufficient to pick up a 10" or !2" record lift it from a supply box let into the deck surface at the left of the turntable, choose side, place on TT, play then lift it off the TT and place in a reception box to the right of the TT.

I asked my father about this and was told the system did not last long because of the high breakage rate of records.

I have never seen any reference to these units since. Information would be of great interest to me.

RojDW48 · 14th Nov 2018, 3:39 pm

It's probably this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxWE31dY3CM - 1928 HMV - one of my favourite videos !!!

RojDW48 · 14th Nov 2018, 3:44 pm

This one's fun too - a bit later - 1946 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q342zZx4id0

Stuart R · 14th Nov 2018, 3:54 pm

That instantly brought to mind my Odhams 'See how it Works' book. Popular scientific devices and how they work explained and illustrated. Picked up from a jumble sale in the late 70's, I always enjoyed reading it as a child.

In the section 'Gramophone Record Changers' it shows a Garrard Turnover Record Changer.

An identical unit (RC-100) can be seen in operation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfI21OD4gcs

Looks a bit brutal!

Regards,

SR.

Andrew2 · 14th Nov 2018, 3:54 pm

The designers of these systems must have had some sleepless nights. The 1928 one looks a bit rough on the ejected records!

RojDW48 · 14th Nov 2018, 7:19 pm

The Garrard RC100 eject had me in fits! And it doesn't appear to have a stop cycle - a joy to watch nevertheless. The ingenuity is breathtaking.

Refugee · 14th Nov 2018, 11:51 pm

I have seen a video of one that was loaded with the records on the spindle with the A side down.
When it was started the arm mover over with the stylus pointing upwards and played the first A side and then dropped it and the arm moved over again with the stylus pointing down to play the B side before turning over to play the next A side.
I have forgotten where the link was.

mickyfinn · 15th Nov 2018, 8:54 am

What a fascinating post,really enjoyed that thanks.
Mick

rontech · 15th Nov 2018, 9:48 am

The RC100 clip is most entertaining, just like a "Heath Robinson" machine.

The player I recall had a "T" form arm with a pivot at the bottom of the stem and some sort of gripping pieces at each end of top of the T. The sides of the whole arm were stylistically curved. I cannot remember any details of the spindle.

John10b · 15th Nov 2018, 3:29 pm

Yes I agree with Mick, thanks for sharing this with us.
Cheers
John

PsychMan · 15th Nov 2018, 5:11 pm

I love those Capehart consoles, unfortunately only really seen in the USA and probably quite rare, or I'd have one at home

I don't believe we ever saw them in the UK along with other "both sides" changers, as Ive never seen any models for sale here or in Europe. RC100s I believe were only ever prototypes

14th Nov 2018, 3:23 pm	#1
rontech Heptode Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 646	"Both sides" autochanger I would be interested if anyone has information on the above. As a child I was given a set of "Pictorial Knowledge" a sort of encyclopaedia for children. In a section on "The wonders of Wireless" There was a picture of the latest (1939 ish) thing in radiograms. The autochanger seemed to have a wide gripper bar sufficient to pick up a 10" or !2" record lift it from a supply box let into the deck surface at the left of the turntable, choose side, place on TT, play then lift it off the TT and place in a reception box to the right of the TT. I asked my father about this and was told the system did not last long because of the high breakage rate of records. I have never seen any reference to these units since. Information would be of great interest to me. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana Last edited by rontech; 14th Nov 2018 at 3:25 pm. Reason: typos ( again!)

14th Nov 2018, 3:39 pm	#2
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: "Both sides" autochanger It's probably this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxWE31dY3CM - 1928 HMV - one of my favourite videos !!! __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

14th Nov 2018, 3:44 pm	#3
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: "Both sides" autochanger This one's fun too - a bit later - 1946 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q342zZx4id0 __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

14th Nov 2018, 3:54 pm	#4
Stuart R Heptode Join Date: May 2011 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 693	Re: "Both sides" autochanger That instantly brought to mind my Odhams 'See how it Works' book. Popular scientific devices and how they work explained and illustrated. Picked up from a jumble sale in the late 70's, I always enjoyed reading it as a child. In the section 'Gramophone Record Changers' it shows a Garrard Turnover Record Changer. An identical unit (RC-100) can be seen in operation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfI21OD4gcs Looks a bit brutal! Regards, SR.

14th Nov 2018, 3:54 pm	#5
Andrew2 Nonode Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire, UK. Posts: 2,037	Re: "Both sides" autochanger The designers of these systems must have had some sleepless nights. The 1928 one looks a bit rough on the ejected records! __________________ Andy G1HBE.

14th Nov 2018, 7:19 pm	#6
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: "Both sides" autochanger The Garrard RC100 eject had me in fits! And it doesn't appear to have a stop cycle - a joy to watch nevertheless. The ingenuity is breathtaking. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

14th Nov 2018, 11:51 pm	#7
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,553	Re: "Both sides" autochanger I have seen a video of one that was loaded with the records on the spindle with the A side down. When it was started the arm mover over with the stylus pointing upwards and played the first A side and then dropped it and the arm moved over again with the stylus pointing down to play the B side before turning over to play the next A side. I have forgotten where the link was.

15th Nov 2018, 8:54 am	#8
mickyfinn Hexode Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 473	Re: "Both sides" autochanger What a fascinating post,really enjoyed that thanks. Mick

15th Nov 2018, 9:48 am	#9
rontech Heptode Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Southport, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 646	Re: "Both sides" autochanger The RC100 clip is most entertaining, just like a "Heath Robinson" machine. The player I recall had a "T" form arm with a pivot at the bottom of the stem and some sort of gripping pieces at each end of top of the T. The sides of the whole arm were stylistically curved. I cannot remember any details of the spindle. __________________ Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana

15th Nov 2018, 3:29 pm	#10
John10b Nonode Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Aberaeron, Ceredigion, Wales, UK. Posts: 2,884	Re: "Both sides" autochanger Yes I agree with Mick, thanks for sharing this with us. Cheers John

15th Nov 2018, 5:11 pm	#11
PsychMan Octode Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Fleet, Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,764	Re: "Both sides" autochanger I love those Capehart consoles, unfortunately only really seen in the USA and probably quite rare, or I'd have one at home I don't believe we ever saw them in the UK along with other "both sides" changers, as Ive never seen any models for sale here or in Europe. RC100s I believe were only ever prototypes