Record Middles

[Tomangoes]

Why did the majority of UK 45s have fixed middles with the small hole, but US and other overseas 45's have a larger hole?

Obviously it did not apply to Lps.

I remember the old UK record players having the 'stacking system' that allowed about 6 singles to play one after the other. Was that unique to us?

Ed

Edited September 18, 2006 by ShaneH

[Guest ShaneH]

jukeboxes?

[Jumpinjoan]

I remember being at Shotts all nighter many many moons ago and this pissed up bloke asked Guy Hennigan that very same question....

Guy said "Two different types of record players mate......."

The bloke's mate said to him... "Why didn't you ask me.... i knew that...."

Was very funny....

[Guest]

I remember the old UK record players having the 'stacking system' that allowed about 6 singles to play one after the other. Was that unique to us?

Ed

No,they have centres with stacking capability in the US

[Denbo]

I remember being at Shotts all nighter many many moons ago and this pissed up bloke asked Guy Hennigan that very same question....

Guy said "Two different types of record players mate......."

The bloke's mate said to him... "Why didn't you ask me.... i knew that...."

Was very funny....

Hi Joan,

My understanding is that American 45s had large holes for the Jukeboxes and rather than make seperate 45s with small holes for those 'other' types of record players, they just made adapters so that their 45s could be played on both.

The UK releases came with small holes but also with a bigger 'push-out' centre so they could be used on UK Jukeboxes. Having said that, I could never understand why it was that many UK releases got pressed without that larger push-out centre. How would they be converted for use on UK Jukeboxes I sked myself? Unless of course, there were two types of UK Jukeboxes, one with small spindles and one with large spindles?

[Jumpinjoan]

Hi Joan,

My understanding is that American 45s had large holes for the Jukeboxes and rather than make seperate 45s with small holes for those 'other' types of record players, they just made adapters so that their 45s could be played on both.

The UK releases came with small holes but also with a bigger 'push-out' centre so they could be used on UK Jukeboxes. Having said that, I could never understand why it was that many UK releases got pressed without that larger push-out centre. How would they be converted for use on UK Jukeboxes I sked myself? Unless of course, there were two types of UK Jukeboxes, one with small spindles and one with large spindles?

Hi Dennis...

Yes i knew that... honest!!

Just thought i'd share my funny story that's all!!

One thing i will say whilst we're on the subject... any body else find those metal middles too big for certain records?

Not a problem if you can centre a record without one... me.. not a chance... have to play something else!

[Denbo]

Hi Dennis...

Yes i knew that... honest!!

Just thought i'd share my funny story that's all!!

One thing i will say whilst we're on the subject... any body else find those metal middles too big for certain records?

Not a problem if you can centre a record without one... me.. not a chance... have to play something else!

Metal middles, yeah, know what you mean. Doesn't happen on all American imports but when it happens, it always seems to happen on those made from styrene rather than vinyl, don't you think?

[Guest Baz]

One thing i will say whilst we're on the subject... any body else find those metal middles too big for certain records?

Not a problem if you can centre a record without one... me.. not a chance... have to play something else!

usually carry my own just incase nothing more worrying than trying to pop out a metal center from a styrene record makes you cringe.

Do you know why some dont fit joan.........usually down to becaus ethe record played befor hand was so god dam hot the metal center expands under the heat so the next one dont fit, thats my excuse any way

You can get plastic ones that are a conical shape or metal ones the same they are slightly smaller

[michael-j]

you could get a 'dinking' tool to cut out the middle of the record if the record had a solid centre, all jukeboxes have large spindles but some records probably weren't expected to get played on them! small labels and so on...

it's easy to annoy UK issue collectors by threatening to push out all the middles to make them easier to deejay with...

[Denbo]

you could get a 'dinking' tool to cut out the middle of the record if the record had a solid centre, all jukeboxes have large spindles but some records probably weren't expected to get played on them! small labels and so on...

it's easy to annoy UK issue collectors by threatening to push out all the middles to make them easier to deejay with...

Yeah, I know . . . . I'm one of them

[Guest Baz]

Yeah, I know . . . . I'm one of them

Pah they look rubbish with that tiny little inferiour hole pop em all out i say

[Bigsoulman]

Not a problem if you can centre a record without one... me.. not a chance... have to play something else!

Andy Dennison is the top man for doing that Joan, I just watch him in amazement when he does it! , see you on the 30th sweetie

Lenny

[Quinvy]

Metal middles, yeah, know what you mean. Doesn't happen on all American imports but when it happens, it always seems to happen on those made from styrene rather than vinyl, don't you think?

The plastic cone ones from Beatin Rhythm are the dogs bollocks and NEVER stick.

Tel. 0161 834 7783 and they'll pop some in the post for ya. Great service.

[Soul-slider]

you could get a 'dinking' tool to cut out the middle of the record if the record had a solid centre, all jukeboxes have large spindles but some records probably weren't expected to get played on them! small labels and so on...

it's easy to annoy UK issue collectors by threatening to push out all the middles to make them easier to deejay with...

Some UK 45s do actually come with a US type large centre, lots of the red Atlantic's, Stax too, and i've had 5th Dimension's 'Train Keep On Moving' Liberty, twice with centre professionaly cut out. According to J.Manship, these UK 45's with professionaly removed centres are of the same value as those with full centre......any responses...

[Girthdevon]

Andy Dennison is the top man for doing that Joan, I just watch him in amazement when he does it! , see you on the 30th sweetie

Lenny

Do this all the time myself - got an old customer, a reggae guy to show me how...its actually v easy and with a little practice its as quick to do when DJing as it is to use centres. Its essential you use a slipmat on the deck, and that the hole in the centre of the mat fits snuggly round the centre spindle.....otherwise its very easy to knock it out.

Cheers Girth

[mischief]

I see a mate snap a record forcing it on a metal middle...tried to push it all the way down

I always find it better to put the record on the deck then put the middle on... that way you don't have to push the record right down it, middle usually fits ok that way.. same with taking it off.. middle first then record..

[Quinvy]

I see a mate snap a record forcing it on a metal middle...tried to push it all the way down

I always find it better to put the record on the deck then put the middle on... that way you don't have to push the record right down it, middle usually fits ok that way.. same with taking it off.. middle first then record..

See my other post.

[Guest taffy]

if you place the record roughly central on the deck then place your thumb vertically against the spindle and start the deck spinning the record will line itself up centrally after a few revolutions.

[Kev Connellan]

I always find it better to put the record on the deck then put the middle on..... same with taking it off.. middle first then record..

same here

[Guest]

if you place the record roughly central on the deck then place your thumb vertically against the spindle and start the deck spinning the record will line itself up centrally after a few revolutions.

Ok,as long as the centre is smooth,paper labels pain in the nekc,so use a centre,how easy is that,there not that hard to find,about a quid each.........

.

[Denbo]

Ok,as long as the centre is smooth,paper labels pain in the nekc,so use a centre,how easy is that,there not that hard to find,about a quid each.........

.

Must admit to finding these a little awkward to lift off, especially if it's hot and sweaty and your fingers can't get a grip.

Much prefer the plastic cylindrical type.

If centre won't fit hole, I'm with RnB Rookie, place record first then centre. Easy peasy.

[michael-j]

regarding snapping records - the main culprit is probably those flat metal ones which come with Technics turntables, which are slightly too large...

[Guest martyn]

if you place the record roughly central on the deck then place your thumb vertically against the spindle and start the deck spinning the record will line itself up centrally after a few revolutions.

Doesn't that all depend on how thick your thumb is?

[Denbo]

Doesn't that all depend on how thick your thumb is?

So, if your thumb has a very high IQ then it will do a better job than one with a low IQ. Is THAT what you mean?

[Trev Thomas]

DONT THINK THEY HAVE THESE PROBLEMS AT DRAX.....WITH ALL THE C.D'S THEY PLAY

[Guest martyn]

So, if your thumb has a very high IQ then it will do a better job than one with a low IQ. Is THAT what you mean?

Quite,once my thumb has mastered Pi=R squared I'm possitive the record will sit quite dandy without any artificial assistance.

Edited September 20, 2006 by martyn

[Guest Netspeaky]

Hi Joan,

My understanding is that American 45s had large holes for the Jukeboxes and rather than make seperate 45s with small holes for those 'other' types of record players, they just made adapters so that their 45s could be played on both.

The UK releases came with small holes but also with a bigger 'push-out' centre so they could be used on UK Jukeboxes. Having said that, I could never understand why it was that many UK releases got pressed without that larger push-out centre. How would they be converted for use on UK Jukeboxes I sked myself? Unless of course, there were two types of UK Jukeboxes, one with small spindles and one with large spindles?

My local record shop in Prestatyn in the 70's & 80's had a hand held machine to remove solid centre out of records, you used to have to warm the center with a lighted match first then place it between this tong like contraption and squeeze the handles this then removed the center to give you a large hole. I use to go to the local record shop to use this method to supply my local pub's juke box with decent tunes that the juke box company wouldn't supply.

[Paul McKay]

Beanos in Croydon used to have a dinking machine, which Ray, the hairy guy behind the counter, would only use having warned the purchaser of their heresy!