QUESTION : 12″ Singles that play at 45rpm

[Marcus Broom]

Hi, I wouId just like to ask the following question to get a definitive answer to then see if it’s worth investing time in finding out how to do it or if it’s a No ! Then I will look no further and move on.
” I have a B&o Beogram 1600 turntable that has 2 speed options of 33 rpm or 45 rpm and when selected the arm will either go to the 12″ position or 7″ position and play from track 1.  The problem is that I have many 12″ Singles most of which play at 45 rpm and I can’t play them because the arm will go to the 7″ position and so I get to hear half the single if I’m lucky.
Does anyone know if the speed can be set but the arm placed onto the record manually ? Or is there any other way of playing 12″ singles at 45 rpm that I’ve failed to discover ?
If it’s a No ! It’s just not possible then I won’t waste any more time trying to find out BUT if there is a way round it then I’d be grateful if somebody can tell me how to do that? I hate to do it but I may have to buy another turntable that will allow 12″ singles as I have a large collection that I can’t enjoy.
If anyone can answer this question I’d be really appreciative. Thanks

Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Favourite Product: Beogram 1600
Signature: Marcus John Broom

[speedsixdave]

Hi Marcus,

I have a Beogram 1902 which is very similar and have had precisely the same issue – lots of classic 12″ singles that are not easy to play with the automatic control. The only way I found to play them is to hit 45, wait for the tonearm to swing across to the 7″ position, then very gently grab the arm, pull it back to the 12″ position, and lower it as gently as possible back on to the record. Not ideal! Easier with the 1200 series which have a little handle on the arm to assist. By the 1700 series B&O had realised the error of their ways and separated out the speed control so you could launch a 12″ disc and then change the speed to 45rpm.

Ultimately this annoyed me so much I bought a Beosystem 6500 with the tangential Beogram 6500. There’s a lot to like about the 6500 but I do find the the extremely expensive stylus is quite vulnerable to knocks while putting records on late at night after a few beers. Which is generally the time I want to get the old 12″ singles out…

 

No help there, sorry!

 

Dave

Location: UK
Favourite Product: Beolab 3000

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