Davebanks Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Back in the very early 70's before cassettes were commonplace and CDs were not yet invented some soulies had portable record players. Anyone got any info on these devices? We had one mate who had one and we took it all over the country to various clubs with just a handful of 45's. On one memorable trip to the Torch we had it in the car and played Otis Smith Let her go non stop from Liverpool to Stoke, we so loved that record. I know that all seems so old hat now with computers and mobile devices but back in the 60s and 70s it was so hard to hear the music we loved/craved. It made it all the more underground and mysterious. Anyone got any internety links to these ancient keys to our underground world????? Dave Banks Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
jocko Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 I suspect you are talking about before these, but these were all the rage in the 80's and still in demand now. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mace Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Records, cassettes, radio.....this baby does 'em all....! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Davebanks Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 ooooh that looks very high tech for what we had. But I suppose I am more reminiscing about the early days of discovery of the UK soul scene we were so behind our American cousins. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Quinvy Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DISCOTRON-SINGLE-PLAY-TRANSISTOR-BATTERY-PORTABLE-RECORD-PLAYER-/111110372717?nma=true&si=MocwJCxeIuovrprZlMXLrEEgO78%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 This is all I can find. It's been a long time since Discotrons were about. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mace Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Phil, didn't you used to carry one of these around as a nipper ;o) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gramaphone-78-Record-Player/271369843976?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D4189067249759731969%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D111110372717%26 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Ady Croasdell Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 That's the feller; Discotrons! I've got a great photo of the Harboro skins dancing round one on a Corby estate about 7am summer Sunday morning. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sutty Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) What you need is a professional setup, such as mine for example. Not only can you play your 45s on it, it's got a built in centre adaptor that pops up, and you can tape them as well if you splash out on the tape deck. Just make sure you ask everyone in the room to be quiet while you do it and you definitely don't want anyone eating crisps within 20 feet Edited January 17, 2014 by Sutty 2 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pete S Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I threw a Discotron away a few months ago, was sick of seeing it in the garage, it was a wooden outer and what made it unusual was that it had a radio built in as well. I took it apart once, there's just nothing in there. They were made in Birmingham and took one of those huge square batteries. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve S 60 Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Anybody remember the Soundwagon from a few years ago? https://youtu.be/lEsOLbW2INM Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Quinvy Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Phil, didn't you used to carry one of these around as a nipper ;o) https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gramaphone-78-Record-Player/271369843976?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D4189067249759731969%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D111110372717%26 Many a true word...... 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve Plumb Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I have a spare Numark battery operated portable record player which i bought new about 8 years ago as a back up to my sound burger. Trouble is the sound burger has never failed since the day i bought it in 1993 (apart from replacing stylii and baterrys over the years) and i still use that all the time and the virtually unused Numark has made its way into the attic, which is a shame Anyone interested in it gimme a shout Cheers Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Karl s Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I used to take a sony linear tracking portable player to niters with me will dig it out take a photo of it its very cool Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Markw Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Anybody remember the Soundwagon from a few years ago? https://youtu.be/lEsOLbW2INM I WANT ONE!!!! That is fucking awesome!!! Totally stupid, but awesome still. 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Sceneman Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 i doubt that theyre many around still as you couldnt get the parts to keep em running .i had 1 in late 60s that had a slot for a 45 ,like a CD player but it broke down and couldnt be repaired and was ditched . Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tony A Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Numark PT01, set you back about £100 new, battery & mains adapter inc. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Ivor Jones Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 I have a spare Numark battery operated portable record player which i bought new about 8 years ago as a back up to my sound burger. Trouble is the sound burger has never failed since the day i bought it in 1993 (apart from replacing stylii and baterrys over the years) and i still use that all the time and the virtually unused Numark has made its way into the attic, which is a shame Anyone interested in it gimme a shout Cheers Steve Hello Steve hope all is well for you mate..... I remember when you used to do the Victoria record fairs there was a guy with load of new Soundburgers( dead stock from the 80s) .... They were really rare even then and I was kicking myself for years afterwards for not buying one. Probably the weirdest ( and probably the best ) portable player I've seen was housed in a silver brief/flight case( like a technicians tool kit) and when the lid was opened, inside was a good quality turntable with decent speakers mounted inside the lid. Looked the business..... Had a headphone jack as well if you wanted private listening. A fella used to make them to order but they were reasonably expensive( £200 about 15 years ago)..... Good though for vinyl hunting ..... Ivor Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Modernsoulsucks Posted January 18, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted January 18, 2014 Just strap the radiogram to the wife. ROD 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hello Steve hope all is well for you mate..... I remember when you used to do the Victoria record fairs there was a guy with load of new Soundburgers( dead stock from the 80s) .... They were really rare even then and I was kicking myself for years afterwards for not buying one. Probably the weirdest ( and probably the best ) portable player I've seen was housed in a silver brief/flight case( like a technicians tool kit) and when the lid was opened, inside was a good quality turntable with decent speakers mounted inside the lid. Looked the business..... Had a headphone jack as well if you wanted private listening. A fella used to make them to order but they were reasonably expensive( £200 about 15 years ago)..... Good though for vinyl hunting ..... Ivor Do you mean this type of thing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Retro-Portable-Record-Cassette-Player-in-Carrier-Case-By-Sanyo-/261371859722?hash=item3cdafa130a Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve Plumb Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Numark PT01, set you back about £100 new, battery & mains adapter inc. pt01_angle_lg-624x390.jpg Yep that's the one I have a spare of Cheers Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Steve Plumb Posted January 18, 2014 Share Posted January 18, 2014 Hello Steve hope all is well for you mate..... I remember when you used to do the Victoria record fairs there was a guy with load of new Soundburgers( dead stock from the 80s) .... They were really rare even then and I was kicking myself for years afterwards for not buying one. Ivor Hi Ivor All good here mate, hope all good with you too? That's where I got mine from all those years ago. They were £100 each which seemed a lot at the time BUT I still have it (in its box) and has been out with me ever since. I can't begin to work out how much it has repaid me over the years! Speak soon mate Steve Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Quinvy Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) Do you mean this type of thing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Retro-Portable-Record-Cassette-Player-in-Carrier-Case-By-Sanyo-/261371859722?hash=item3cdafa130a I lusted after one of these when I were a lad. They were the b*llocks back then. Edited February 7, 2015 by pikeys dog swearing - workplace filters Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Popular Post Benji Posted January 19, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted January 19, 2014 Vestax Handytrax. Got one 10 years ago. Still using it. 4 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
boba Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I bought the handitrax when it just came out, like the week it came out. I still use it, at one point it was submerged in water for two days and it still works. The price has recently doubled because it has become popular with hiphop DJs to set up in the park, etc., with them. Also, Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Mr Blue Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I really like the Japanese Columbia GP3 player I've had for over 12 years now. That thing just won't die. And believe me, it's seen a lot! I think it's louder and more durable than most. It looks cool, too, and you can hold the thing sideways and upside down and it still keeps playing. Literally! 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Driveller Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Hi, My Soundburger hit the buffers about a year ago, which was a big problem, as it was pretty much inseparable from my sales box, but, I've just managed to locate this, which fills the gap perfectly: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crosley-CR6020A-Revolution-Portable-USB-Turntable-blue-/181285496020?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item2a357524d4 Never thought anybody would think it worth doing this, but I'm glad they have! Not sure if it quite does for playing in the car, but invaluable for the allnighter record room. Crosley do a range of players with various levels of portability, but I believe this is the only one that can operate on battery power. If you just do a search for 'Crosley' on Evilbay, I'm sure you'll get a good selection. All the best, Nick 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Dave Rimmer Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Hi, My Soundburger hit the buffers about a year ago, which was a big problem, as it was pretty much inseparable from my sales box, but, I've just managed to locate this, which fills the gap perfectly: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crosley-CR6020A-Revolution-Portable-USB-Turntable-blue-/181285496020?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Turntables&hash=item2a357524d4 Never thought anybody would think it worth doing this, but I'm glad they have! Not sure if it quite does for playing in the car, but invaluable for the allnighter record room. Crosley do a range of players with various levels of portability, but I believe this is the only one that can operate on battery power. If you just do a search for 'Crosley' on Evilbay, I'm sure you'll get a good selection. All the best, Nick Do these only work on battery power, or can you plug them into the mains ? It's not at all clear on Crosley's website. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Cunnie Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 Work on both mains & battery Dave. Bought some rechargable batterys for mine & never let me down. Also got a headphone socket so perfect for nighters. Can also play it through an fm radio wirelessly. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Britmusicsoulfan Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 One of the problems with Crosley turntables is that they put terrible needles on them. They make a dansette model that has a good cartridge. I wouldn't put anything rareish on one. I have one Numark portable I bought in 2007 that still plays well, but it won't play LPs (the motor slows down), but it does great on 45s. I broke the weight off of my USB turntable after moving it around downstairs (d'oh!), so I replaced it (for now) with a Numark USB turntable portable and have an Audio-Technica Mister Disc I bought from a chap locally. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Rick Smith Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I used to have a Discotron in the mid seventies and you dropped the record into a slot in the top. It was pretty compact and would play without jumping even when you moved it. Only problem was when the needle/stylus went tits up I could never find out how to replace it or where to get parts.No internet then. It was second hand when I got it and I've never seen the like since. A great bit of kit and I'd love to have another one. One of those things you chuck out and regret years later. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Jim G Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 (edited) here you go, Bush Discassette. I bought one in 1974 and only threw it away a couple of years ago as it was rusted to hell. Used to take it with all the time and remember playing records with mates down Aycliffe town centre many a Sunday! (the video is not mine) Edited January 19, 2014 by jim g 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 here you go, Bush Discassette. I bought one in 1974 and only threw it away a couple of years ago as it was rusted to hell. Used to take it with all the time and remember playing records with mates down Aycliffe town centre many a Sunday! (the video is not mine) Bet that does your records good phillips had an in car one in the late 50's it was so heavy so it would stop the records jumping. https://vintagebus.com/gallery/image/1269.JPG Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Denbo Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Records, cassettes, radio.....this baby does 'em all....!player.JPG What make is that Mace? Anybody remember / seen / got a Sound Burger with an integral cassette player? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
TOAD Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Yes i found a stock in a car boot market with a tape included. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest manusf3a Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 That's the feller; Discotrons! I've got a great photo of the Harboro skins dancing round one on a Corby estate about 7am summer Sunday morning. There seemede to be loads of discotrons about then,there must be some left aound surely right through till when I first stopped going to all nighters you would always see them as somone else has stated they were good for playing records in the car,train,bus whatever on the way to and back from places. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Denbo Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 There seemede to be loads of discotrons about then,there must be some left aound surely right through till when I first stopped going to all nighters you would always see them as somone else has stated they were good for playing records in the car,train,bus whatever on the way to and back from places. But not very good at keeping your records in good condition. They caused a lot of damage to records as they were so heavy and cut into the grooves causing lots of hiss. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Denbo Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Yes i found a stock in a car boot market with a tape included. Still got it? Can you post up a photo? Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
TOAD Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Still got it? Can you post up a photo? sold it late 8ts Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
markh55 Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 This has got me thinking. Had a discatron back in the 70's. I left home in '76 but now have a nagging feeling that the discatron is still in my mothers loft. The search is on next time I go and see the old dear. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest Ivor Jones Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Do you mean this type of thing https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Retro-Portable-Record-Cassette-Player-in-Carrier-Case-By-Sanyo-/261371859722?hash=item3cdafa130a Sorry for late reply, only just seen this. It was sort of similar to the Sanyo one you've pictured but that is a mass produced thing and the one i saw was a bespoke [ooohh…..bespoke ! ] tailor made item. From memory the turntable looked bigger for a start…. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Col Wolfe Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Col Wolfe Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Col Wolfe Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Col Wolfe Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Col Wolfe Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Col Wolfe Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Guest manusf3a Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 This has got me thinking. Had a discatron back in the 70's. I left home in '76 but now have a nagging feeling that the discatron is still in my mothers loft. The search is on next time I go and see the old dear. Search and please find ,Mark would like to see some photos,closest I ve seen so far to match the ones in me memory is that bush record player cassette combination but I a reasonably sure most I saw didnt have cassette players on them and just played records,anyway would love to see some pics.atbmanusf3a. Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Brent Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 Still have this German discotron. KOSMOPHON Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Pete S Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 That is beautiful. The product placement is in overkill mode though 1 Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
Tony A Posted January 22, 2014 Share Posted January 22, 2014 This one has a built in A/D convertor and it's own USB socket. This vinyl player is the perfect pulse generator for picnics that turn into cosy open-air parties. It is also the perfect listening device for every dyed-in-the-wool vinyl enthusiast during extensive excavation trips at flea markets and record shops. A tough plastic casing and the capability to operate at angles of up to 90 degrees make the Handy Trax player fit for universal use. On top of this, a stereo line-out makes hooking it up to your hi-fi system at home easy and a mini line-in jack also allows you to connect external devices such as MP3 players.If you prefer to listen to your music digitally but own a large analogue collection, you can easily transform your vinyl into binary code via the newly integrated USB port. A transformation that results in loss of sound quality, of course… Vestax Handy Trax USB turntable for nothing else but vinyl.Vestax Turntable Handy Trax USB Features: - USB port - Recording software “Audacity” included (for Mac and PC) - Belt drive - Battery operation (6 x AC12V) or mains operation (external power adaptor included). - Inbuilt speaker (mono) - Stereo line-out (mini jack) for connection to hi-fi systems (Aux in), DJ mixers, etc. - Line-in (mini jack) for connection of external devices like MP3 or CD players - Headphone line-out - Three speed setting 33 1/3, 45, 78 rpm - Pitch control and tone control dials - Master level fader - Works at angles of up to almost 90 degrees! - Tough plastic casing with detachable cover Link to comment Social source share More sharing options...
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