1963 Seeburg "1000" Background music system juke box

[PnnyPnchr]

This is verrrry interesting. But I wonder why they didn't use a Select-O-Matic mechanism like in their jukeboxes?

[jukeboxexpress1]

@PnnyPnchr In fact they did! Starting in 1948, Seeburg introduced the SICM which played both sides of 100 78rpm records intermixing 10" and 12" records, using the first Select-O-Matic mechanism. These had an upgrade kit later to convert them to play 33 1/3rpm LPs. In 1952, Seeburg introduced the 45rpm Library Units. These held 100 45rpm records and played both sides. Special EP background records were made for these also. The BMS's were smaller and lighter, plus played longer.

[yenbadcito]

i would like to know if these records can play on a regular turntable (that would have a 16.66 rpm level, for exemple) ??????????????????????

[jukeboxexpress]

@yenbadcito They sure can play on a regular turntable with the proper speed. Haven't you seen drh4683's other videos?

[seatboi]

WOW! Never saw one of these selecting & playing! It's mind-boggling watching that elaborate turntable! half moving one way, the other 1/2 running backwards! YIKES! blows my mind! Sounds great though! SWEET machine! Thanks for posting this! Check out my videos! I have a 45 player fetish! ;)

[MrAccordionPimp]

I think this machine is soooooooooo awesome - Brings back good memories

[Hypnotoad27]

Isn't that from Pinocchio? I believe it is!

[scatpack68]

funny you mentioned that kevykev, I suddenly felt happier because I cracked open a cold one after hearing this. So yes, the possibility is there.

[Geoffr524]

Pretty cool to see some technology from way back.

[kevykev38]

Now was there a such thing as subliminal messaging back then? Like with sayings like "I'm so happy shopping" and "I am so thirsty"? When i was a little boy my grandfather use to repair these machines and i don't know if it was my imagination but i remember something like that. Yeah my grandfather was cool he had like every tool to fix these and radios and tv's as well.

[PatSharpsNastyMullet]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. Great idea for the time

[Glinkaism1]

Going through it's mechanical operation reminds me of the opening to the movie DR STRANGELOVE. :)

[cowtippingrocks]

so thats what it looks like. A few years ago I orderd one of the records off ebay, I wonderd about the machine itself. Thanks for posting.

[dandeb5559]

Man! That nixiebunny1 must have a bucket of mud for a brain and is not just a maroon, but probably a Harry Reid!

[nixiebunny1]

You guys are funny. Maybe you should add some facts cited from Always Jukin' to the Wikipedia page (and be sure to add footnotes). I'm sure it's more accurate than Billboard. After all, Billboard only interviewed the folks who were in the sales dept. of Seebug. We all know that salesmen are lying if their lips are moving.

[cencalphono]

@nixiebunny1

Hmmm. I guess that you haven't read the article in Wikipedia lately or followed the link to Tony Miller's website?

WHAT A MAROON!

[factorymoon]

Very unique mechanism!! Thank you (from japan)

[Fisher7591]

This music makes me want to steal

[jukeboxeddie]

Seeburg engineering was second to none. I found a 1951 Seeburg B in 1982. It sat in the basement of a restaurant for 22 years and played via wall boxes & speakers upstairs. The cabinet was stripped but the machine still worked. But it hadn't been serviced in 22 years. The operator died and no one claimed it. The needle had worn right down to the cartridge, but you put your money in upstairs and it still played.

The machine is now fully restored to new condition. Seeburg rocks!!!!!!!!!

[dandeb5559]

Thanks for the video of this great little machine. I've got one just like it and several boxed sets of the special records, including a Christmas set where a Christmas song or two is mixed in with the regular elevator music on each side. It's funny that someone would make a comment about this machine, like nixiebunny, directing to wikipedia, and showing what a moron he really is!

[reelinrocking]

The Wikipedia page for the Seeburg 1000, at the bottom, contains a link to Tony Miller's BMS page. Although he shows 1963 on all models, the BMS1 was introduced in 1960. The BMS2, as pictured in this video, also known as the BMS1000 or "Microwave", was introduced in 1963, as I have previously stated. There are many refences to these facts from sources such as "Always Jukin' ". And, No, Seeburg and None of the other Jukebox manufaturers used transistors in 1959. The Buick radio still had tubes.

[nixiebunny1]

This machine WAS introduced in 1959. See the Wikipedia page that I just wrote: Seeburg 1000. There are footnotes for the research-inclined.

By the way, transistors were common by 1959. For example, Buick made a transistor car radio that could be removed from the car's dashboard in that year.

[cencalphono]

@nixiebunny1

CONGRATULATIONS on the 200+ NEGATIVE responses to your post!

Can you believe this nixiebunny1 person? He must know of a different Wikipedia than the rest of us. If you check the link at the bottom of the page, it takes you to Tony Miller's website, which, hmmm, lists 1963 for the BMS2, of which this video was made. Those early transistor car radios still used some tubes in them.

WHAT A MAROON!

[Xerox6085I]

My mother's 1960 Chevrelot Impala had vacuum tubes in it's Delta AM Radio. They were a type designed specifically for that application. Vacuum tubes were inexpensive, transistors for power were still very expensive. Also the idea is to produce as clean a signal as possible and transistors for power amplification were still in their infancy at this time. Many designed used inter-stage transformers in early transistor designs. The designs were a bit complicated at the time.

[lrd9999]

@cencalphono At the risk of stirring a hornet's nest, I saw one of those pull-out radio's that was offered as a dealer add-on for VWs in 1957, so Buick might have done something similar. You're right about the majority of car radios; I think GMs were hybrids with only output transistors from '58 to maybe '64 or '65 (??). SS seemed to creep in where needed or appreciated; port. and/or LV stuff, dynaco kit amps in '61 or '62, etc. Just saw a reference to SS marine radios in a re-run of "Sea Hunt".

[SlimeTron5000]

Why not?

[reelinrocking]

In response to a person message drh4683, yes I know about transistors. Initial Canadian patent for idea of FET, 1925. A 1934 German patent, 1947 Bell Labs operational device from 1925 patent, 1st silicon trans by Texas Instruments in 1954. 1st MOSFET built at Bell in 1960. 1st all-transistor TV by Philco in 1959(NOT the Predicta)?? Didn't it have a picture TUBE(CRT)? Transistorized electronics were not common in the U.S. until the mid-60's, especially in jukeboxes and TV's(late-60's).

[jukeboxexpress1]

After being in the business when these came out, I can assure everyone that 1963 was the first year. We received our first shipment of the BMS's in 1964. The transistorized amp is proof that this is NOT a 1959 unit. To find out moore ab out Seeburgs, you can go to Frank Miller's website.

[reelinrocking]

This unit was actually introduced in 1963 and it originally sold for $695. Seeburg only began developing it in 1959. Up until this unit was introduced, Seeburg was still using their 45rpm Library units and even the SICM of 1948(converted to play LP's) were used well into the 60's. One clue to the vintage of the BMS is that it used a transistorized amp. Seeburg, and the rest of the U.S. manufacturers hardly knew what a transistor was in 1959! Japan was the first to sell transistorized stuff here.

[MaxxBigg]

These old background music recordings are always interesting. They're simple and approachable, so they can be enjoyed by the average listener. At the same time, they are very skillfully arranged, and flawlessly performed. Every once in awhile, the arranger throws in a little trick, like the piano run at 3:07. It's just something a little jazzier than you'd expect to hear there.

[MN12BIRD]

Damn that's a pretty unique machine you have there. Pretty early SS amp?

[LAMF2939SH]

they just dont make stuff like they used to :(

[BrentAudi]

This is very cool.

I know a place that has tons of these records. I did not know what they were for! Thanks for helping me to figure it out!

Brent

[aldiakaroofus]

I own a Seeburg record and it's from the mid-70s. Now I know what it was played on!

[debiani3866]

OMFG!!!!! COOL! wish my seeburg could do that!

[wb5oxq]

A catchy tune. i would like to hear it on your rca stereo for better sound

[dj6927]

What a beautiful machine. I love the works so it can play both sides. I went and looked at my Imperial Phonograph and my dads Edison gramaphone that I have, but I don't know how to tell what year they were made.

When the others say, " why don't you just stick all of this on an Mp3 player", they apparently don't care about the engineering of the machines that we had then.

[casino555]

Song is "I've Got No Strings"

[cricketrecords]

...from the 1940 Walt Disney animated film "Pinocchio". Music by Leigh Harline. Lyrics by Ned Washington.

[chatrkat]

that machine is amazing. the company I work for used them long before I started there, so I'd never seen one. I had only heard stories of the guys servicing them in the field. they reported the machines would be loaded with black dust from the records after hours and hours of operation, but they contunued to run until the stylus wore down to nothing or the records wore out. turning at 16 RPM the records lasted a fairly long time. thanks for showing a great piece of history. KF / Muzak Chgo

[musicman0150]

I found this video doing a search in your video posts. This is very interesting on how this machine plays the records. How many records can be put into the machine at once and what is the time length per record? I was wondering too if you can show another video describing the controls and functions of the machine? Is it difficult to change records on this machine; it looks like the spindle is completely attached to the top and bottom.

[JZTCZZO]

Each record is approx 30-40 minutes per side. I don't have one of these machines but I have some of the records. Check my video above. If you look carefully the top of the the spindle on the machine is opened. I think 6 or 7 records were shipped in sets for the user to play during a certain period then the records were to be sent back to Seeburg. Seeburg charged 24 cents per record that was not sent back to them at the end of the play date cycle.

[wurlitzergroup]

Enjoyed the video! BTW, Seeburg did offer a large unit containing THREE of these little phonos for the ultimate in non-repeat Fridays.

[frangiul13]

Can you tell me what Seeburg record and category (Insustrial/Mood, etc) this song is on?

[drh4683]

It can be found on INDUSTRIAL record N4 side B (N4B), dated 12-26-64.

[frangiul13]

That is SOOO cool! I WANT ONE! Love the fact that it's self-contained, with a built-in speaker. I could see this playing a set of Seeburg 16 2/3 Christmas records in my dining room during Xmas dinner :)

[jukingeo]

VERY cool! I heard of these units before and seen them on some jukebox supplier's websites, but this is the first time I seen one in operation.

[dewey70]

Oh wow, I've always wanted to see one of these operate. That's incredible.  Thanks!!

[KKD1247]

Great video! Amazing piece of mechanical-analog machinery.

[KT88seamp]

What is your opinion of that old Mantovani style elevator music?

[drh4683]

I actually like it. Its from a different era and one I wasn't part of. All I can do is preserve and appriciate these things from the past.

[retroolschool]

@drh4683 i couldnt have said that better myslelf, as I realized last year that I was born 20 years too late...:(

[batterymaker]

Don't know about you, but the minute I hear this play, I'm transported back to when I was a kid and walking through a department store. Great memories....

[ishredu]

I would love to mod this to play standard speed 45's

[jukingeo]

That is near impossible. Even if you could change the motor speed, these units used a 2" hole, a 45 has a 1.5" hole. So that would mean you would have to precisely alter the 45s you want to use to a 2" hole. That would be very difficult to do. OptA: You would be better off loading up your 45 records as MP3's on a computer and let the computer play music all day. OptB: There are other similar systems to this that used a standard spindle. OptC: Buy a small 45rpm jukebox. E.G. Seeburg Phonojet

[ishredu]

what fun would uploading them to a computer be?

naa I can get one of these to play 45's simply by changing out the motor and using a 2" heated socket to dink the 45's, would only need to make on accurate template.. then BAM! cool table top 45 rpm juke! creativity makes the man. don't you think?

[jukingeo]

That is very tough to do. If the hole is slightly off, the record will "whine". Not all 45's are cut precisely at 7" either...so that adds to the challenge. It is worth mentioning that they DID make tabletop jukeboxes and Ristaucrat made a few that took 45's AND you could make selections from. The trouble is that due to the small size you only room for 10 or 12 records. Seeburg DID make an album unit that played about 50 33rpm records, vertically, if you want long play. An interesting mech.

[ishredu]

you can come close enough though, like i said, one accurate template and you can do a bunch at a time, the bottom line for me would be at least I wouldn't have to listen to that muzak...yuk!

[jukingeo]

I think if you a system that can open and close several points around the record referencing the central point, you should get in there. You do need to be fairly dead on. The "whining" sound or "wow" is more affected by left right motion than up and down. I don't like Muzak either. I like MY program not preprogramed. I would use an MP3 jukebox first. It is worth mentioning that you CAN hook up a classic style jukebox wallbox to a CD/MP3 Player (or your computer) with a special adapter :).

[tubeie07]

Superb machine - as I love auto turntables, this is right up my ally! Great vid! (would love to get my hands on one...)

[disneysongtape]

The song sounds ALOT like "I've Got No Strings" from Disney's Picchoino.

[drh4683]

Thats exactly what it is. I didnt know the name of this tune until another member pointed it out earlier.

[mrrk]

What an amazing machine. Thank you for this video.

[musicman0150]

What a great machine. I wonder if this is what was used in the 70s for music in the department stores resteraunts and doctor's offices. I am really amazed on how the needle plays on the underside of the record, rather than turning the record over and play side 2 as the top side. I wonder if that's how all jukeboxes work where the underside of the record is played if you want to play the "B" side?

Gary

[retrochad]

There were several Wurlitzer models like the model 1250 made in 1950 which work just like this...the record is supported in the center of the hub and the tonearm has one needle on top and one on the bottom. Seeburg coin operated 45rpm jukeboxes play the record in the vertical plane and have a two-needled tone arm.

Most other types of jukeboxes flipped the record over in some way to play the other side, or in the case of the really old machines (1940's and earlier) only played the top side.

[lrd9999]

@musicman0150 I think there were also background music services that used a sub-carrier rented from an FM radio station (the same way the "difference" signal is encoded for FM stereo). When I worked at a Sears store in the early '80s, I spotted a strange looking 4 tube device with a "Muzak" logo in the trash and assumed it had been a decoder for this setup.

[kingneb123]

Is what was met by "background music" elevator music? Did most supermarkets, restaurants, dentist offices in the 60's and 70's have one of these machines or similar?

[Xerox6085I]

Commonly this type of music was played in real elevators... TRW executive buildings (now Northrop) still had such a system in the 1980s playing in the elevator.

[djspiner]

hi there

this the most coolist player i have every seen. can u put more then 1 record on at a time.

plz may u put some more video's of this on

may thanks dave

[vintagecoinop]

I have seen these players before I always wondered if you could play a regular 45 RPM

record on this. I know you would have to cut a

bigger center hole to make it slide onto the spindle. I was wondering if you think that could be done and would it work and play right. Please let me know what you think

Mickey

[Xerox6085I]

45RPM records run at 45 revolutions per minute. The Seeburg 1000 turns at 16 rpm. Hope that helps.

[cencalphono]

@Xerox6085I

The Seeburg 1000 runs at 16 2/3rpm.

[Xerox6085I]

Thats what I meant, but could not remember the fractional part! :)

[Xerox6085I]

Also to add, the turntable gearing, changer mechanism is set up to run at a certain speed. In order to get it to play at say 45RPM would be like re-inventing the wheel. The General Industries Induction motor used is just that, it runs at a certain speed with some slippage. It's not a synchronous motor which locks to the 60 Cycles AC. Maybe that is TMI ;)

[cencalphono]

@Xerox6085I

There would not be much of a problem speeding the mechanism up to 45RPM through increasing the diameter of the motor shaft that drives the idler wheels or modifying the setdown point of the tonearm. Where the problem would be is the diameter of the spindle, which is 2" and a 45 is 1 1/2", that's where the re-invention would be. By Seeburg's description, the motor is "a 4-pole, shaded-pole induction type operating at 117 volts, 60 cycling AC."

[Xerox6085I]

Yes the motor was manufactured by General Industries. These types of 4 pole induction motors were used in tape recorders, phonographs and Leslie loudspeakers.

[texs2007]

I've seen these on Ebay,going for around $200 and the records easily fetching around $75 per set. Finally got to see how the thing works.

[tamspeci]

I've never seen this kind of record player or seen those kinds of records! Man, the stuff you learn on You Tube! So interesting!

[xmvirus202]

"I've Got No Strings On Me" From "Pinocchio" is the song that is playing.

[craig1974]

We now return to the Kmart radio network!! JK!

[jefferyb304]

I'd love to have a player like this. I actually enjoy the song quite a bit also.

[xmvirus202]

WOW! That is so cool! I am sure they are hard to find. Thanks for posting.

[jasonlava]

The beginnings of "Muzak" or "factory music". Where I work, they have bgm but it's not instrumentals but the actual songs themselves. All from the 70s-2000s. And they play different decades of music at different hours. At 9pm and 1am they play a block of 70s tunes which brightens up my night.

[retrochad]

Have never seen one of these in operation...very nice! There sure isn't a lot of support for the record playing is there...at least the seeburg coin operated machines would give more support to the record arond the turntable area.

We have been able to send out idler wheels and get them resurfaced, I can hear a little of that thumping noise you mention, it still sounds real good though. Is there a 70v line output?