Record player and vinyls? can someone explain please!?
Hi. I recently was given a second hand record player by a friend. I am ashamed to say that although i have listened to loads of vinyl records when i was a kid (my dad lost all his records and player during a move) i do not know anything about actually playing a record! i am 19 now. I have always loved the sound compared to cds and now i want to build up a vinyl collection from scratch. I still have one 7 inch record and another 12 inch one.My player Semi-automated turntable and has two speed knobes - 33and 45.and as far as i can see there is no needle on the edge of that handle thingy. its just a square like thing. Can someone explain what all this means very simply. I have spent hours online trying to read up on this but i have gotten even more confused with all the terms. what is EP and LP? what is 78 rpm, 45 rpm, 33⅓ rpm? what records should i buy? what player plays what kind of record? i can't ask my parents cause they are not around.Please please help me out. sorry if i sound stupid but this is a part of my childhood that i want back. thanks alot
My player is a semi-automated turntable Sherwood PD-701B
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Electronics-photography/Home-audio/Vintage/auction-225543631.htm
as for my budget..i don't really have one yet. as in I have to save to get what i want so preferably something reasonable and mid-priced.i cant tell you an exat price because i have no idea how much these things cause.as for music - I absolutely love the beatles, bob dylan and aerosmith.and some motown stuff- like smokey robinson. thanks alot for the help.
a 45 is smaller you need a spindle adapter so it will fit on the post. You need to replace the needle on the handle try the link below or check with a local record store. As you build a collection you will understand the rpms.
33 1/3, 45, 78 are the speed the record rotates on the turn table. 45’s are mainly 7" in size.33 1/3 are 12". 78’s are out dated.They had them in the 1930’s an 40’s….If you don’t have a needle you will have to go to Radio Shack or a store like that and buy one.Depending on the turn table you have, one may or may not be available.
EP is extended play.LP is long play.
You’re not stupid. Many people think a 45 is a handgun now days.If I can help you more,let me know.
1)- handle thingy is aka a tonearm .2)- square like thing is aka a cartridge. 3)- the needle is aka a stylus and yours could be missing just the stylus it may not be as large as you expect why dont you post the brand and modle# of your record player (aka turntable)and i can tell you where to look for replacment stylus .as far as what type of record to buy your 7" record is likly a 45 "rpm" (rpm is aka the amount of times it rotates in one minute or revolutions per minute) 4) EP is aka extended play 5)LP is aka long play and as far as the 12"record (aka ALBUM) is likly a 33 1/3 rpm and no you dont sound stupid:i am impressed that you prefere vinyl over compact disc you parents must have had good equipment :compact discs are 30 to50 times cleaner but vinyl is analog and the SIGNAL to noise ratio is better with cd’s However vinyl has the distinct advantage of being Analog (as are our ears)and thats why still to this day the very best audio systems.aka (state of the art ) use vinyl.post your budget and i can post a list of my choice remember to include the type of music you like because even if your budget was infinite there is no one speaker that that can reproduce all types of music best different types have differnt needs
RPM means revolutions per minute (how many times it goes around). EP means extended play for 45s which usually had only one song on each side. EP’s have more songs. 78’s are usually 10 inches (sometimes 12) and play at faster speeds. Mostly only older turtables have this speed setting. I hope your turntable has a 45 adapter, because your only other alternative to play 45’s is to use plastic adapters, which are not recommended because they often cause dents on the inside of the 45 hole, damaging them.
If you are building a collection this web page has articles and videos that may help you to evaluate condition and grade records so you know what to look for.
An Introduction to Collectible Vinyl Records
http://www.whatnots.cc/customer_info/vinyl_records.htm
I hope this helps, and good luck!