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Topic: What is this?

Greg Pauley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 173
From: Huntington, WV, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 03-23-2001 09:24 AM

This "Reproducer" has been setting in the Keith Albee theatre since I started in 1974. Always wondered what it was used for. Anybody know? On the label it has (Western Electric D-86850 Reproducer Set) and on the Disk on the right side of the picture "Stroboscope Test." Click on the website below for pictures.
www.ourshowtimes.com/temp1.html

Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-23-2001 09:48 AM

It looks like a double-turntable thing that would probably have been used for non-sync music playback. I assume that the knob in the center was designed to allow cross-fading between the two turntables, for uninterrupted music.

The "stroboscope test" is something that I've seen on several "test out your stereo system" records of the type that were produced in the 1960s and which tend to show up in dollar bins at used record stores. The idea was that you would hold a 60-watt light bulb next to the disk as it spins and the pattern is supposed to sync with the AC line frequency of 60-Hz and thus appear stationary if the platter is spinning at the correct speed. Modern turntables are, of course, quartz-locked to run at 33 1/3 or 45 rpm and thus the stroboscope thing is mostly useless with modern equipment.

John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 03-23-2001 11:03 AM

A neon light was more desirable, since it actually goes completly out (then back on) as the 60hz goes through it's cycle. A regular incandesent bulb stays lit for a short time after the power cycle goes to zero.

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-23-2001 11:17 AM

That dual reproducer is quite valualable! Most of these will bring in between $1500.00 and $3,000.00K depending on condition. Above all do not refinish it, only clean up the finish if you ever intend to display it. its value, like most antiques will stay higher if it is all original.
Mark @ GTS

Barry Floyd
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1079
From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 03-23-2001 12:52 PM

It looks like my first DJ system back in 1984!!

Scott stated that "Modern turntables were "quartz-locked"
to run at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm... and thus the stroboscope thing is mostly useless on modern equipment."

For the average 30-something's consumer who just wants to listen to their 80's Van Halen collection on vinyl he's right. However, as a disc jockey by trade, the stroboscope thing is a very useful tool - if you know how to use it. I worked my way through college "beat-mixing" on a pair of Technics 1200's, and the stroboscope was a definite MUST. My 1200's are now almost 15 years old, and still worth every cent I ever invested in them. It is one of the few turntables I know of that you can buy each individual part piece by piece.

The 2001 model of the Technics 1200 MKII, is identical to the pair I have. Kinda like a Simplex XL, once you find something that works... don't change it!

I agree with Mark, don't refinish it... just midly clean the surface and enjoy it.

------------------
Barry Floyd
Floyd Entertainment Group
Nashville, Tennessee
(Drive-In Theatre - Start-Up)

Neil Fish
Film Handler

Posts: 16
From: Norwalk, Ct
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-23-2001 07:51 PM

Great find Greg! I also found one of these in a theatre that was to be demolished. It is now on display in my office, and it even has a record on it "Suicide Squadron" I think it's dated 1942. There also is a service tag inside dated August 1923, with the Altec tech's signature on it. Really a cool thing to have!

Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays

Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 03-23-2001 07:51 PM

Wonderful! That's a similar fader design to the ones they used to changeover between soundheads (with only a few minor differences).

Hang onto it.

------------------
Better Projection Pays!

Greg Pauley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 173
From: Huntington, WV, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 03-24-2001 01:08 PM

It sounds like from Neil's posting this was used for film sound. Does anybody know for sure? Thought about trying to look up the patent number and see what it was used for.
I found a manual of a western electric reproducer dated in the late 20's, although not the same model number, it could have been the same type of equipment. www.widescreenmuseum.com/sound/we-01.htm

Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-24-2001 02:31 PM

The unit is a nonsync playback only
They were built by Western Electric (ERPI)
The reason it might have a Altec service tag is they also service all nonsyncronous devices in there service contracts since that equipment was originally leased to the theatre with the synconous reproducers and amplifiers

Neil Fish
Film Handler

Posts: 16
From: Norwalk, Ct
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-26-2001 09:39 PM

Gordon, I'm curious about the fader though. Why have it for non-sync?

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-27-2001 09:24 AM

To fade between disks as each on ended remember they are 78 rpm so the operator was also a diskjockey
THe sync ones were mounted as part of the back of the pedastal (Universal Base) or on a small cast 3 point mini base coupled to the projector by a flexable shaft

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Greg Pauley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 173
From: Huntington, WV, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 03-27-2001 10:57 PM

Neil, I think Gordon is right. Take a look at the manual I found above and I think you'll see the difference. Going to try and run the patent number online and see if I can get more information.

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John Eickhof
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 588
From: Wendell, ID USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 03-28-2001 12:22 AM

Gordon is correct, it was the source of 'Non-synch' sound, Non-synch meant that it was sound that was NOT synchronized with the film. Thus, the name for the tape or phono input on most later sound systems was desiganted as the 'Non-synch' input.
The unit is self powered with variable speed controls for each table, thus the strobe was used to keep the speed correct even with varying line voltage changes. ALTEC or (All Technical Service Co.) Was started withe the inception of ERPI (Electrical Research Products Inc. Div. of Western Electric) as the official installer and maintenance provider of the leased ERPI equipment.
The notation 'TA-' means 'Theatre Apperatus'
in Western Electric terms. Just like RCA the 'MI' means 'Model Identification'

**Just some more 'authentic frontier jibborish** (Blazing Saddles)

------------------
John Eickhof President, Chief Slave
Northwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc.
P.O.Box 258
Wendell, ID. 83355-0258
208-536-5489
email: jeickhof@nteequip.com

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Neil Fish
Film Handler

Posts: 16
From: Norwalk, Ct
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-29-2001 09:13 PM

Thanks to all for the information. I now have the "scoop" to go with displaying this turntable! Greg- also thanks for the link to the Western Electric manual. I had one of these salvaged years ago from a theatre on Cape Cod, but I gave it to a colleague who promised to restore it to operation.

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Greg Pauley
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 173
From: Huntington, WV, USA
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 11-26-2001 03:11 PM

Update:

While going thru some old files in the shop area of the Keith Albee, I found the originial manual for the "Western Electric Sound Projector System." The manual is dated May 1st, 1929, and is in mint condition. Here is a brief quote on the introduction "The main purpose of the equipment in this application is to reproduce music as an accompaniment to moving pictures in a manner so realistic that the effect is practically equal to having the artists and instruments actually present. A further use is to reproduce music during an intermission." The manual shows a picture of the unit with a rack for holding the records and talks about matching the records with the reel changes. It also gives detail instructions to the projectionist on how to make record changes at reel changes. So the unit was used for film sound. Just thought I would update everyone who commented on the earlier post. What are the odds of finding the originial manual? Going to play the lottery this week!

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