The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/clt/5153209864.html

I am selling my 1934 RCA Victor radio/phono with two speeds 78 and 33 ⅓ and working record changer. Can deliver free to APS show this Saturday. First year for Magic Brain radio. Marc.

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Avb6ljs-2JY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgoWZxtU4RU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmGBBZr6Ag4

I have this model too, listening to it as I write! Very nice sound, interesting throw-off changer that has yet to damage any records! Nice too that it changes both 10 and 12-inch eccentric groove 78's. I use a cactus needle that will play the 7 sides this changer holds without interruption. The radio sounds good too! The price IMO is quite reasonable considering it's restored, and with free show delivery. Hope it finds a nice new home!
Bob

that surprises me that you have the same model! These depression era consoles are pretty rare! Yes the price is pretty low and I have a lot more money in it than that! Just got to get some more room. Marc.

Hi Marcapra,

I am stunned to learn that phonographs playing 33 RPM records were available in 1936, the year I was born. I never saw an LP until I was maybe 13-14 or thereabouts.

John

billybob62 wrote:Hi Marcapra,

I am stunned to learn that phonographs playing 33 RPM records were available in 1936, the year I was born. I never saw an LP until I was maybe 13-14 or thereabouts.

John

RCA Victor started making 33 ⅓ rpm long play discs, which they called "Program Transcriptions", around 1931. They were not successful for a variety of reasons and were pretty much dead by 1940. You can read about them in the Collector's Guide to Victor Records by Michael Sherman, starting on p. 190.

Those RCA transcription disks turn up on eBay sometimes, but they can be pretty expensive. Last week, I found one in a junk/antique store for $2.00, the first I have found "in the wild".

Their fidelity isn't quite as a good as a regular 78, but not as bad as you might fear. Some were dubs and some were live cut. However, at 33 ⅓ rpm the hiss and pops and clicks are far more pronounced than at 78 rpm.

The earliest LPs had a gold label and were pressed from shellac. The later ones were pressed with silver labels, in both shellac and also some kind of early vinyl.

Why RCA pressed some LPs as one-sided disks and thus gave up some benefit of long playing time is a mystery and was a stupid marketing idea for 1931. Only a very expensive RCA phonograph could play them. No wonder they failed.