Rare Markel Playmaster old record changer

This is a short video of one of my old record changers that was given to me by a friend who works with a partner in a business restoring old vacuum tube radios. He collects old radios and televisions from the 1940`s,and this rare changer was from his personal collection. I mainly collect old wind up phonographs, and have traded some of mine for some of his collectable items, such as some old record changers etc. and this is one of them.

[@JerryScoles]

I actually own one of these. I got it from my Grandparents back in the 70's. They played it a lot in the 60's. I haven't played it years and the electric cord needs to be replaced. I'm sure it will still work. It eas fun watching the video of my exact turn table!

[@markengel244]

My grandfather Daniel Markel helped developed it and his company manufactured it. Very Cool!!

[@jonvincentmusic]

Coming to this so late to the party but whoa how clever is this?! No one would build anything so amazingly inventive these days.

[@ds99]

When the player is playing the record upside down, there’s no gravity holding the needle up onto the record. It’s like magic.

[@usmale4915]

Very interesting and informative video. That is the oddest record changer I have ever seen, but fun to watch! Thank you for sharing!

[@amberola1b]

Thanks. It was quite a project restoring it!

[@Idelia412]

I have seen a lot of changers, but never came across your video before. Very unique way of playing both sides and yes I would say that turntable is quire rare! Thanks for sharing!

[@harryr9210]

AWOSOME RECORD PLAYER REALLY LOVED IT. NEVER SEEN BEFORE RECORD PLAYER WHICH PLAYS BOTH SIDE RECORD I LOVED YOUR OLD RADIO TOO.

[@teacfan1080]

Unreal! It's so amazing what people and engineers thought up for record changers. A real unique player!

[@richardmcleod5967]

What an amazing rejection system and it plays all 4 speeds, and both sides of the record!

[@amberola1b]

Thanks, I was editing part one of the restoration project tonight and hope to have it posted on KZbin in a day or two. Stay tuned for it.

[@pcallas66]

This is very nice player you have there. Glad you posted this. I would have never known that a changer like this was made. Thank you for sharing.

[@calvertsch]

What a fantastic working machine. Talk about unique. Thanks for the video.

[@1987VCRProductions]

Very ingenious design! Would be fun to watch it go through a full stack!

[@vinylseat]

Quite an incredible changer. Nice to see it working unrestored. As others have said it is playing with a 33/45 stylus. It will sound 100% better with a 78 stylus. Thanks for posting this.

[@stratocat9999]

Nice piece and very worthwhile for restoration! I love the old windups, but changers have their own charm. Cheers!

[@packratswhatif.3990]

Well there is something that you don’t see everyday ! I have never heard of such a machine and am amazed at how well it performs. This unit is a jem for sure ....

[@Tojazzer]

Fantastic but you're using a microgroove stylus on this for sure. You're tracking the groove base. Need a wide stylus, especially for Deccas of this era.

[@wurlitzer895]

What an amazing turntable! Never seen anything quite like it. Fascinating. Thanks for uploading.

[@farr64]

Think everybody is right wrong stylus also a slight speed issue ,never the less excellent video thanks for posting.

[@amberola1b]

Thanks, I made friends with someone who works with a partner and they fix old tube radios. He and I have been trading collectables with each other, and he gave me this. He has also been helpful in helping me fix some of my tape recorders etc. that need new caps or resisters.He taught me to do some of the work but he still helps me with more difficult jobs.

[@KDoyle4]

Finally, I get to see a Markel Playmaster in action. It sure is a unique machine. Please post more when you get the bugs worked out.

[@JackOfAllTrades2022]

Amazing... I keep discovering old stuff I've never seen before...

[@salemcripple]

Neat! It's amazing how old machines have so much more personality. It's almost as if they have a life of their own. Personally i like the big Hi-Fi stereos of the 60's-80's. When they started putting out some real wattage! Plus i listen to music from that time (and forward). It just seems fitting, listening to classic rock, on the machines it was meant to be played on (and at the appropriate ear splitting volume lol). No way digital will ever come close!

[@kfl611]

This is just too cool !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want one.

[@marktubeie07]

That is an AMAZING changer man - had never seen one before, great stuff, more please !

[@dave631bnetzero]

Wow, impressive. Ive seen machines that play two side, but not with rollers. Cool idea. Would love to see how two record are handled.

[@53pittmanjt]

What amazing design & engineering!

[@Alaska_zepto]

this is really cool! God bless you!

[@tough213]

I keep coming back to this video and I really am amazed at the way the mechanism works and it is amazing that this all works to the degree that it does for its age . I still will ask if you can play a 33 rpm record and 45 rpm record to show the way that works . thank you very much all the best always

[@teendude16]

Thanks for your reply, I' going to look at the bedplate repainting you did, it's going to look awesome when your done.

[@sealforvr]

I love this, along with the big Capeharts. They got very sophisticated before the LP made them all obsolete.

[@markschembri8098]

Great work! Very impressive! Thanks for sharing.

[@romandjma.recordplayers7806]

I’ve sent this video quite a few times, yet I just realized something(though it is pretty obvious). The black headshell is suited for a 3 mil 78 stylus and the red headshell is suited for a 1 mil microgroove stylus, as the colors of the headshells match the colors on the speed control.

[@RandyOnTheRadio]

Good call on the record. It was 1934.

[@dememartinez1848]

I was going thru a batch of 78s in the Midwest with odd circular wear but usually only on one side on the outer edge. Didn't buy any because nothing was a must have and the few I would've gambled on had the wear. Then found one of these players at an auction along with all of the records from the original owner and all of the records had wear where those wheels would spin the platter.

[@douglasswicegood4420]

Also, just wanted to say I grew up with stack technology but I've never seen anything like this! Plays both sides, all speeds, and changes needles! The ultimate in machine age electronics! Today that would be wonderful technology updated for lighter tone arm but who knows! A machine like this made today would probably cost 2000!

[@rcyan96]

one of a kind record changer ,never seen one like it

[@maynardcat]

Now that is what I call a real collectors item, that changer needs to be restored to like brand new condition, it is worth it. It sure has the Lincoln turnover changer beat for design and operation. I've never heard of this changer or seen one before until now. That was really quite a find and getting it free to boot you can't beat that.

[@NEWbobofhollywood]

I love this thing. It's amazingly wobble free.

[@amberola1b]

The hissing you hear is the old record`s surface noise, but also I `m playing it thru my old radio, and I probably had the treble turned up high. Old records like this usually had some kind of surface noise depending on what materials were used to make them. Thanks for watching.

[@barndancer6149]

SAM's Photofact info is dated Jan. 1950, which means the phonograph was manufactured in 1949 when the 45 rpm record format was introduced.

[@madmettie]

great maschine, the tone arme reminds me of teh seebruh vms tonearm, double sided stylis

[@amberola1b]

no, the rubber wheels are made of fairly soft rubber and they don`t cause any damage to the records, the only thing I hate is when the wheels rest on the turntable itself before the first record drops, the wheels turn on the flocking which is soft and it causes a flat spot on the soft flocking

[@andyvanm1]

Beyond cool ,Thank you for sharing....

[@roybo1930]

This is AWESOME!!

[@bobroth1951]

Very cool- but I would only play common records on it. Same way with Victrola's or other old record players. Those old heavy tone arm players ruined many a 78. The steel needles on Victrolas also ruined a lot of records. I like the radio also.

[@CPorter]

This is the same point that everyone says, but unless their talking about a Hill&Dale cut record, they are wrong. If you use the machine correctly, and change the needle out every time, and put the Reproducer one it correctly, it will do no harm to the 78. Now if your playing a 78 that's like 30 years after the machine is made, you can actually damage either the record, or the machine, depending on what it is.

[@glennmillerfan]

C Porter I agree. I honestly would not play any post 1925 78s on any phonograph made before the 1970s or 1980s unless it has been modified to track at a very light weight and had a good cartridge in it like the Stanton 500.

[@amberola1b]

also the tonearm has a spring attached to it for the upward tracking force to play the underside of the records first. It`s really not that much as you might think, but the tonearm does need some kind of light pressure to keep the arm against the record grooves.

[@guarionex1961]

Thanks for your video. Is the first time I see this type of player.

[@RaymondTVinyl]

Man that is so GREAT!!! What a beautiful thing!

[@Natures_Intentions]

Awesome video

[@amberola1b]

yea, like the beauty and styling of an old classic car

[@amberola1b]

Thanks, I`ll try to do some more videos in the future. I`m looking forward getting it back together and tuned up to put up another video of it performing in top condition

[@amberola1b]

Sorry I never responded to your comment earlier, but tha nks for the info. Now I know that the cart. head I used to play the 78 was the right one. i just made a new update video of it after I repainted it. Soon it will be ready to be reassembled. will let you know when it`s ready. Thanks for watching the video

[@cobolsaurus]

Wow...great tunes...

[@99thDimension]

The by-product of the rubber drive wheels is the record is playing in the correct rotation underneath, it was messing me up for a few minutes because the record is playing backward until it drops. I would like to see what the designer wrote in his the patent application and how the patent clerk interpreted and cross checked the application. There is a little bit of every type of cutting edge technology for the time in this machine.

[@amberola1b]

The name of the second song is "Hot Lips" by Henry Busse and his Orchestra

[@fromthesidelines]

First side is "Wang Wang Blues"; flip side is "Hot Lips". Both were recorded on September 25, 1934, and issued on Decca 198.

[@amberola1b]

thanks, can`t wait till I get it fully restored.

[@Paladingrad1992]

I have a Seeburg jukebox that has needles on both sides of the tone arm. I wonder if this is where they got that idea? It plays 45 rpm records or 7" 33-1/3 rpm mini LPs standing up.

[@amberola1b]

yea, I know what you mean, I`m only going to use it for demo purposes anyway, and an occasional playing just to keep the mechanism working. The only records I`m going to play on it anyway are 1950`s records which are heavier and can take the abuse. thanks for watching. I just made a new update video showing the phono bedplate repainted and soon it will be reassembled and ready to run again.

[@AudioMobil]

That's a nice record changer! Always impressive to see a changer that can play both sides of a record. By the way...your EMUD radio was build in Ulm, Germany. That's where I live. I do have two EMUD radios as well, they're not that common.

[@amberola1b]

Thanks, I just did a new video update showing it repainted, and soon it will be ready to be reassembled. Can`t wait.

[@amberola1b]

Thanks man, I`m in the middle of restoring it, and can`t wait to present it on utube, to show it in proper working order

[@onemat2000]

A really cool turntable. It reminds me of other record players like Capehart. I'm from Connecticut originally. Did you know a guy named Fran Merancy? He was a big phono collector too

[@w7777777s]

Neat watching all those solutions they came up with through the years for playing both sides or different sizes / speeds etc. I am amazed this works at all considering the tracking force is pressing up with only the record weight holding it against the drive wheels. Arm must be fairly light to not lift it and slow or stop the record. If you use multiple records how does it handle that sequence?

[@01chippe]

Cool player, but I am CRINGING at the sound of that stylus tearing through that record. Definitely not a 78 stylus. That loud hiss is what you hear when playing 78s with a microgroove stylus.

[@CPorter]

It doesn't destroy the record. How the myth of it doing so, OR the myth of The stylus being destroyed it's probably going to stay unknown forever. But one thing that will always be known by those who have actual experience, it won't destroy shit. Not even on a crosley.

[@01chippe]

@@CPorter I never said it destroyed the record. It's just not pleasant to listen to.

[@CPorter]

@@01chippe I know you didn't. But I'm just saying that anyways because other people already think that, and they probably think that you're saying the same thing.

[@01chippe]

@C Porter I hear you. I’m really not a fan of the Crosley machines, but it irks me hearing all the negative comments on how they will destroy your records.

[@CPorter]

@@01chippe exactly! all started by Jered Neww of Vinyleyez

[@mahoot81]

Compared to the modern day turntables the companies actually produced unique pieces of art and used material that was almost industructible. The changers were the TRUE automatic turntables!!!

[@armandoruiz4385]

Super cool!!, I collect also but I had never seen one of these, It souds like It's palying with the LP needles. It is worth a total restoraton, I just could not see myself with it I'd play it to death.....

[@amberola1b]

Thanks, I just uploaded a new video showing it after I repainted it. Soon it will be reassembled and then I`ll upload a video of it working again.

[@amberola1b]

don`t know yet, I`ve only ever played that one record on it in the demo. Should be back together soon I hope. My friend who gave it to me is going to help in the fine tuning of it`s reassembly. Then I`ll demo it with a stack of records

[@amberola1b]

no, because when the tonearm plays the underside of the record, the 45 rpm would be too light, and the tonearm has a spring to balance it with the proper force to play the underside. if a 45 was to be played I don`t think the record would have enough weight to it to keep the tonearm on the record

[@tough213]

very nice turntable you are so lucky I saw one on ebay for 200 dollars and the mechanism must really be complex . I was wondering if you could show when done with the rebuild play a 33 1/3 and 45 rpm if possible to see what it is like playing them . keep up the great work and all the best

[@Blacklight8001]

Pretty cool for old technology

[@ronalddegoeij8046]

Great record

[@Chained2Alice]

very nice, thanks for sharing

[@amberola1b]

Yes I did, they looked fantastic

[@chompo7]

too cool for words!

[@richarddrolet7746]

Kinda hear my eggs cooking......great video my man.....rick.

[@Mark5W8Comer]

LOVE the music! You said this will play 45s? Do you have to reposition the wheels for a 7" record?

[@duanethamm4678]

Awesome demonstration. Seemed to be a good designed system. Suprised the cartridge is still good. Wonder why VM and other companies didn't replicate a similar system?

[@brianmars8624]

I was waiting to see that 78 crack in half when it dropped. Those old auto players destroyed records,

[@amberola1b]

Thanks Raymond T. Am waiting for my friend to help me tweak it now that it`s almost put back together and restored. then I`ll make a video of it playing a stack of records...hope it works again. If you want, you can check out the other videos I made taking it apart and working on it. By the way, I love your videos too. they are sooooooo cool. Especially love when oyu go out on the street and go record hunting etc.

[@RicardoLeonVidal]

Amigo buenas noches.... Dónde puedo conseguir la cápsula del Market Playmaster. ? Gracias

[@bobskie321]

0:49 I thought vintage turntables has a motor with speed accuracy locked into the frequency of the AC power line so how could the motor takes few minutes to warm up to play at proper speed?

[@amberola1b]

+bobskie321 it`s because it was in unrestored condition at this point. I had`nt worked on it yet.

[@PuffyRainbowCloud]

Probably because of old grease and such clogging it up a bit.

[@litoboy5]

amazing !!!

[@amberola1b]

Not sure, except that it may have been too cumbersome with the extra accessories...rollers etc and the more stuff a changer mechanism has may cause more problems with keeping the whole thing tuned and greased up

[@amberola1b]

here was no more grease or dirt coming off onto the Q-tip. then I applied new grease to the cam. It took a while to clean the cam but it was better than trying to take it all apart. But like I said, the Sams Photofact helps.

[@jpstorch]

I have one of these but it doesn't work like yours. Any way to get it restored? Certainly worth the investment

[@josifstalin7808]

How these songs are called please? Beautiful :D

[@amberola1b]

a guy who owns a garage who said he would work on it for me. It`s taken him a good long time to get it done, but I`m going to go see him soon and see if he got to it.

[@amberola1b]

actually, you can`t use the special attachments for 45`s because the wheels don`t reach the record. Plus the 45`s would be too light to support the tonearm to play in the automatic A & B side reject mode. BUT, the player does have a function switch to play records manually, one side at a time, or both sides sequentially. Only the 45`s can be played in a stack just like a regular record changer, just not like the 10 or 12" records.

[@loren4504]

I have a feeling Chris is right about stylus size... what we both hear is the effect caused by using too small a diameter stylus in a large groove. Just try to replace the cartidge! The upper frequency point of these early 78 is about 4.5K Hz... anything above that is usually noise if they are worn as in this case. A treble cut to an audibly confortable level could help. On 78 releases after 1955, the frequency range and be up to about 12K Hz... not the sound one expects from a 78!

[@amberola1b]

I forgot to mention, plus my camera picks up every little noise and accentuates it a bit louder than it actually is

[@amberola1b]

will post the final video when I get the bedplate back from the guy who`s supposed to paint it for me. It may be a while, but when I get it back, I`ll certainly make a video of it.

[@tomcarlson3913]

If size and speed aren't tied together in the selector mechanics (which appears to be the case) then it should be able to play 12" 45RPM records....Which actually were a thing in the 1970's and 80's (I own about a dozen such records). It's curious they didn't design the rollers to be 1.5" farther in to play 7" 45RPM records on both sides...Perhaps they designed the mech between 1948 (intro of LPs) and 1949 (Intro of 45's) then added the 45RPM speed to ensure the changers sold from 1949 onwards. Or maybe 7" records didn't have enough mass to avoid slipping on the rollers...It would be interesting to talk to the engineers that came up with this thing.

[@mattswestone20]

this is amazing, but whats the hissing sound? is that needle tracking hard as hell?

[@amberola1b]

thanks, someone with a great imagination must ahve thought up this unique record changer

[@mrjason9382]

Somthing sounds off i think you have the lp needle on the stylus or the needle is falling over on the stylus or somthing or mabe need of a new needle on the stylus if she is that type of stylus

[@davidnewman7391]

I have one up in the attic! :)

[@amberola1b]

You should take it out and see what condition it's in

[@davidnewman7391]

Glad to hear from you! Really didn't know if I'd get any response since your video was from 2012. I've had the changer for over 40 years. As a teenager (40 years ago) I collected radios & record players and have kept a few interesting ones. The Markel Playmaster in in very good physical shape, but hasn't be used in 40 years. I'm sure anything that's rubber has been degraded. I did a temporary mod (adhesive tape, popsicle sticks, & paper clips) to mount a common crystal cartridge to the tonearm, so that it could be used in the single side mode. I have one original cartridge/head (red) and the matching Markel preamp. Is it worth anything?

[@automatedelectronics6062]

Wow! A SESAC version of The Three Stooges Theme, "Three Blind Mice".

[@mrjason9382]

Very nice