Before supermarket/department store background music was a mishmash of oldies and Adult Contemporary radio recurrents.
Long before the digital music services (We're gonna need a shovel for this.) Before Smooth Jazz, before Muzak, before Easy Listening radio, there was the Seeburg 1000.
(Above: A promotional flexi-disc record extolling the virtues of the Seeburg 1000.)
At this layer of the background music archeology sits a microwave oven sized and shaped contraption that was probably the most BRILLIANT invention for it's time.
It played 9" inch 16 RPM records with a 2" inch spindle hole, with a playing time of around 40-45 minutes on each side, hopelessly incompatible with all commercially made turntables and phonographs (although you COULD play them on any record player with a 16 RPM speed, if you could get the record centered right - no adapters were ever made. But you would also end up ruining the microscopic grooves of these records because they used a far smaller sized stylus than conventional records.)
The records were distributed quarterly in boxes of seven. The operator was supposed to replace records in the system with new records of the same number (i.e. MM-125). Each box is labeled with the library type, date to place in service, and instructions to the operator.
These instructions also specified that each record set was to be returned to Seeburg after use. Upon return, the records were destroyed.
They were manufactured by the custom products division of Capitol Records for Seeburg for use only on these machines (this music was never intended for commercial release.)
But it's certainly not the music that's fascinating about the Seeburg 1000. Watch how it PLAYS.....
(The precision mechanics of this system would impress a Swiss watchmaker. But were also a migraine to repair.)
The Seeburg 1000 was used from 1959 to the mid '70s and was ubiquitous in department stores, supermarkets and restaurants of the day.
Here's a site with more info. Plus a link so you can hear one playing 24/7....
http://www.seeburg1000.com/
Long before the digital music services (We're gonna need a shovel for this.) Before Smooth Jazz, before Muzak, before Easy Listening radio, there was the Seeburg 1000.
(Above: A promotional flexi-disc record extolling the virtues of the Seeburg 1000.)
At this layer of the background music archeology sits a microwave oven sized and shaped contraption that was probably the most BRILLIANT invention for it's time.
 . |
| It didn't nuke burritos very well. |
The records were distributed quarterly in boxes of seven. The operator was supposed to replace records in the system with new records of the same number (i.e. MM-125). Each box is labeled with the library type, date to place in service, and instructions to the operator.
These instructions also specified that each record set was to be returned to Seeburg after use. Upon return, the records were destroyed.
 |
| Complete Seeburg 1000 systems and records actually are very hard to find today. They are EXPENSIVE....... |
But it's certainly not the music that's fascinating about the Seeburg 1000. Watch how it PLAYS.....
(The precision mechanics of this system would impress a Swiss watchmaker. But were also a migraine to repair.)
The Seeburg 1000 was used from 1959 to the mid '70s and was ubiquitous in department stores, supermarkets and restaurants of the day.
Here's a site with more info. Plus a link so you can hear one playing 24/7....
http://www.seeburg1000.com/
Nice system thanks for the video. Did you restore this one. I'm working on one right. Do you know where I could get a trouble shottting guide for the unit thanks for your time
ReplyDeleteActually, this isn't mine. Finding one of these is extremely hard, but I am looking for one. I have often ran into the records.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/171865663794?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
Deletei have one.loaded with records dont know what im going to do with it. nobody3317@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteIf it is still available, please drop me a line at bradc944@comcast.net. We can discuss price, shipping etc... but it will go to a good home, that I guarantee :) Thanks!
DeleteHi: I have one of these systems and I am looking for the five knobs that fit on the amp. Does anyone know where I can find a set for these knobs? Thank You Email Me At lcook46@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone here have any experience actually using these things back in the day?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know the master volume plug jumper positions so the internal speaker can work? If so which position in #1, 2 and so on
ReplyDeleteHi Randy,
DeleteI have schematics for the BMS-1 and can give you the jumper positions on the 9 pin socket that is on the back of the BMS-1 amplifier
Let me know if you would like them or, maybe you already have them.
You are MORE THAN WELCOME to call me on my cell (717-265-3864) anytime.
Best Wishes,-------Newman Stare
I have one of these in excellent condition. I have boxes and boxes of unopened records. What is the going price for one of these machines/ It was my fathers in his 1st dental office and he gave it to me when he upgraded to 8 track. It's been in my closet for almost 30 years.
ReplyDeleteJack Junior, I would be interested if you can contact me, daysgonebyjukes@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would be interested in the machine and/or the records, Jack Juinor. My email is menswear@provide.net
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteMy father was the Oregon and Washington State distributor for all things Seeburg including the 1000 background unit or also know as the BMS1/2. I have lots of great stories I'd love to share if anyone is interested.including when I was growing up, I used to work for him during the Summers and would go around and fix these and change the records at over 200 locations we serviced. If anyone has any service related questions, please let me know as I have a lot of experience repairing these. Also, if anyone has any records they'd like to sell, I would be very interested. Please contact me at: traderssd@yahoo.ocm
Thanks. Stuart D. Portland Oregon
Hi Stuart D,
DeleteI worked for an audio Co. in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1959 until I retired in 2001 and, we were a Seeburg 200 and 1000 Distributor for Seeburg in this area and we also installed and repaired all o f the models BMC,BMS and BMU and handled the entire line of parts. I repaired many of the units in our shop and we would completely disassemble the mechanism and overhaul it. When things really got tricky was when we had to put in the Christmas libraries and pull out the regular ones in all 450 of our customer locations in less than 2 weeks before the holiday and then scramble to reinstall the regular libraries again after Christmas. There were some VERY LONG HOURS WORKED. !!
You are MORE THAN WELCOME TO CONTACT ME either by my e-mail nleeaudiotech@gmail.com or my cell (717-265-3864).
Cheers,-----------Newman Stare
Harrisburg, Pa.
Hello All:
ReplyDeleteJust picked up a 1000 with 10 records in good working shape. I have hooked it to my FM transmitter and now I am broadcasting over the neighborhood.
Hi everyone! I have recently became enamored with the Seeburg 1000 and the wonderful music that was made for it. Now I'm looking for a working Seeburg 1000 for myself! I'm in the Los Angeles area so if you have one, or know of one, for sale or have one you love and are in the area, drop me a line at brent.mcclain@gmail.com, I'd love to see one in action or have one for myself! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBrent
Here's another interesting background music machine, but this one uses obscenely large cassettes: http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2016/5/11/retro-tech-the-3m-cantata-700-background-music-machine.html
ReplyDeleteThe 3M Cantata machine was an interesting Background Music machine. The Co. I worked for repaired them but, they DID HAVE THEIR PROBLEMS and music quality was quite limited and, COULD NOT COMPARE TO THE INCREDIBLE Seeburg 1000 sound quality.
ReplyDelete