I'm not sure what it's supposed to do, but I'm pretty sure it works

August 8, 2009 10:52 AM

What is this mystery spindle that came with the turntable I just got?

I just was given a Technics SL-1950, in really nice shape, but I'm a little bit flummoxed by the spindle setup. Mounted on the turntable was a long autochanger spindle, which is easily removed and reattached with a bayonet action.

The turntable also came with another object that looks like another spindle housed in a black plastic box. The bottom (bayonet-mount) end of the spindle is exposed, and I can mount this object on the turntable. The plastic box has 2 tabs on the side that don't seem to do anything when I press them; I would expect that they would release the spindle but that doesn't seem to be the case.

So, then, how can I get a 'short', single-play spindle on this turntable, and what is the mystery spindle in the black box?
Any guidance is much appreciated.

posted by kid_dynamite to grab bag (10 comments total)

The other object be for 45s.
posted by @troy at 10:57 AM on August 8 [1 favorite]

Isn't it a auto changer for 45rpms?
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:57 AM on August 8

Yes, it's so you can play 45s (smaller records that are 7 inches). Wow I feel old.
posted by Houstonian at 11:00 AM on August 8 [1 favorite]

A stack of 45s (six maximum) is placed on the upper part of your mystery spindle and as the tonearm swings out of the way, its tabs retract slightly to drop another onto the turntable platter.
posted by Rash at 11:02 AM on August 8

As a kid I used to end up with ludicrously high piles of 45's on the turntable using a spindle likee this. It was the lowfi version of creating a playlist on an Ipod. Then you could lift up the whole pile of 7 inches, turn it over and play all the b-sides. Oh the pleasure! Yeah I feel old too.
posted by merocet at 11:27 AM on August 8 [2 favorites]

The second piece is for this. They can look like this sometimes too.
posted by That takes balls. at 1:41 PM on August 8

We always used to use the plastic jobbers that went inside the hole on the 45 that adapted the 45 to the 33 spindle. Image in the link below.

Yes, you have a 45 rpm adapter.

The tall spindle is for stacking records. They drop after the record before completes playing and the tonearm retracts. You can play several records that way. Probably not good practice for handling vinyl.

You can always tell an old dude by the way he handles CDs - never touches the flat surface, always the edges, or supporting the center with a thumb and the edge on the fingertips.

Oh, yeah, and the grey hair, the paunch, and the cynical outlook.
posted by Xoebe at 1:54 PM on August 8 [1 favorite]

Nothing better for vinyl than dropping a stationary disc onto a spinning one below - two sets of scratches for the price of one
posted by A189Nut at 2:51 PM on August 8

Of course; I never thought there would be a separate autochanger spindle for 45's, I just figured you'd use the regular autochanger spindle and put a snakehead adapter on every record.

Now for the 2nd question - can I get a normal 'short' spindle for this turntable? the SL-1200MKIIs and SL-1900 that I used to have all had fixed spindles that connected to the motor through the platter; I've never had a turntable with a removable bayonet mount spindle before. Does such a thing exist?
posted by kid_dynamite at 4:37 PM on August 8

A189Nut - a careful inspection of your typical vinyl record will reveal a slightly-raised ring on the outer edge of the record, thereby avoiding direct contact of the groove (note: single groove!) of one platter with another when stacked on a changer.

Also, check out the stuff that may be etched around the label on the lead-out - sometimes there's some interesting stuff. Like on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's original 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' triple disc album, someone etched 'Remember The Opry' on the pressing master.
posted by DandyRandy at 1:03 AM on August 10