RECORD CHANGER EASTER EGGS
AND HIDDEN BOMBS

UNDOCUMENTED AND HIDDEN FEATURES AND
PROBLEMS FOUND IN RECORD CHANGERS

Easter eggs are hidden features found in movies, video games, and other media. Some examples of Easter eggs in media are:

  1. In the original Star Wars movie, George Lucas stuck in a plug for his first movie, THX-1138 as the cell number Princess Leia was in on the Death Star.
  2. There was a secret command "PLUGH" in many early Tandy computer games that undid the last move.
  3. Radio Shack Color Computer 3 displays 3 Microware developers after Ctrl+Alt+Reset.
  4. Many Google searches add special images for certain searches.
  5. Many Disney movies have an image of their Mickey Mouse logo hidden in them.
  6. Many Lucasfilm movies have an image of R2-D2 hidden in them.

Hidden bombs are places where something bad can happen.

  1. In video games, they are places where the game suddenly quits working or crashes the computer.
  2. Often, using a command in a game at the wrong time sets off the bomb.
  3. Bombs are inserted on purpose to make the game crash if it is not on its original distribution disk.
  4. Movies don't normally have hidden bombs.
  5. A few movies and TV shows have bombs that activate the Emergency Alert System (EAS) when on TV and no emergency is present.
  6. The 1938 radio play "The War of the Worlds" caused many people to panic because they thought the news flashes in the play were real.
Repeater disc

Repeater discs

In record changers, Easter eggs are hidden functions that are not documented in the instructions or that were not intended to be there and were found to work by user experimentation.

Hidden bombs are cases where things go horribly wrong, or where damage can occur.

To increase the utility of a record changer, I also include some
simple modifications and uses of simple items.

An Audiotex repeater disc (right) can repeat any record in the stack.
 - If this appears for a record changer, the disc will work for all sizes of records the changer can play automatically.
 - Spider adaptors can be inserted in the repeater discs to use them with the small spindle (right).
 - Place the disc in the stack on top of the record to be repeated.
 - Some changers require that another record the same size as the record to be repeated must be placed on top of the repeat disc.
 - Some record changers can repeat 7-inch records using the repeater discs, but not other sizes. The repeater discs are not mentioned for these changers.
 - Do not use repeat discs with record changers that push the rim of the record to drop it. This can damage records

LIST OF RECORD CHANGER EASTER EGGS SORTED BY MANUFACTURER:

BSR
Repeating a record (UA series) Put a rubber band around the size-sensor housing or combined size-sensor/overarm housing.
For normal operation or 7-inch repeat, leave the rubber band below the record-size sensor slot.
For 10-inch repeat, place the rubber band so it blocks the sensor about halfway up.
For 12-inch repeat, place the rubber band so it blocks the sensor near the bottom of the slot.
Put the overarm over the rest post, and start the changer with AUTO.
To stop the repeat action, put the overarm in its low position near the spindle.
When finished with repeat, move the rubber band below the slot.
Repeating a record (100+ series) Put the overarm over the rest post, and start the changer with AUTO.
To stop the repeat action, put the overarm in its low position near the spindle.
A repeater disc can be used instead to repeat any record in the stack once.
COLLARO
Manual start near the center of the record (340, 640, 740 pre-1967). Turn off and stop the turntable. Put the record on the turntable.
Move the arm as far as it easily goes inward toward the spindle.
Carefully move it outward just enough to get to the part to be played.
Carefully put the stylus on the record.
Manually start the turntable without turning the control to REJECT.
Adjust spindle for record thickness (Pre-1962 offset spindle). There is a knurled nut directly under the spindle.
Place two examples of the records to be used on the spindle.
Move the record dropping slide toward the spindle until the pusher has raised the record guide all the way.
Adjust knurled nut until record guide is partly inside the top record's hole, but not the bottom record's hole.
Turn nut clockwise (as seen from underneath) for thicker records (e.g. 12-inch 78 and Edison records).
Turn nut anticlockwise for thinner records (e.g. 6-inch 78 and v-discs).
Be sure to return it to standard after playing these records (do with 2 LPs).
Use of 45 spindle was often not documented (pre-1967). Collaro 54, 456, 440, 540, 840, 99 - put the overarm against the edge of the stack.
Collaro 340, 640, 740 - put the overarm on top of the 45 spindle (not on the records).
Collaro Studio 60 - leave overarm over the rest post.
Magnavox manuals for Collaro changers ignore size intermix. Collaro 54, 456, 440, 540, 840, 99 - can intermix 12-inch, 10-inch, and 7-inch records in any order.
Collaro 340, 640, 740, Studio 60 - Takes odd sizes 12-inch to 6-inch in pyramid order (larger records before smaller).
Collaro changers after 1966 - Takes 12-inch, 10-inch, and 7-inch records in pyramid order (larger records before smaller).
Collaro 340, 640, 740 change cycle There is a neutral position between each pair of speed positions.
The changer will cycle normally even if the speed control is in neutral.
Repeating a record (54, 440, 456, 840, 99) Get a rubber grommet with a 1/4-inch hole.
Put a rubber band around the record-size-sensor housing.
For normal operation or 7-inch repeat, leave the rubber band below the size-sensor slot.
For 10-inch repeat, place the rubber band so it blocks the sensor about halfway up.
For 12-inch repeat, place the rubber band so it blocks the sensor near the bottom of the slot.
Put the record to be repeated on the turntable.
Put the grommet on the spindle with the top even with the spindle ledge.
Put another record on the spindle resting on the grommet and put the overarm on the record.
Start the changer with START.
To stop the repeat action, stop the changer with STOP.
When finished with repeat, remove the record and grommet and move the rubber band below the slot.
Repeating a record (340, 640, 740, 60, all later) Get a rubber grommet with a 1/4-inch hole.
Put the record to be repeated on the turntable. Get another record the same size.
Put the grommet on the spindle with the top even with the spindle ledge.
Put the other record on the spindle resting on the grommet and put the overarm on it.
Start the changer with START.
To stop the repeat action, remove the upper record.
When finished with repeat, remove the grommet.
A repeater disc can be used instead to repeat any record in the stack once.
Another record the same size must be next after the repeater disc.
DUAL
1200 series modification prevents playing an empty turntable. Find the part of the Start lever that moves the switch lever on the cam.
Bend it away from the cam and switch lever just enough to miss it.
Changer operation is the same with this modification.
For auto single play, push down the single play spindle during the start cycle.
ELAC MIRACORD
Do not lift the arm from its rest with one finger. Grip the finger lift between thumb and finger.
Otherwise the power switch throws the arm toward the center of the record, causing record scratch.
GARRARD
GARRARD RC series, TYPE A, A-II, A-70, Lab 80
CAUTION - DAMAGE CAN OCCUR These changers have no swing-out safety drive on the pickup arm.
Damage will occur if the arm is restrained.
GARRARD TYPE A, A-II, A-70
Releasing the arm from an automatic setdown for manual use. Move the size index arm all the way toward the spindle then release it.
GARRARD TYPE A, A-II, A-70, and all RC numbers 100 or lower.
Repeater discs do not work and can cause damage. If a repeater disc is in the stack, the changer can break the record on top of it.
GARRARD RC 120, RC 121
Extra sizes indexed These changers can take 12-inch & 10-inch records randomly intermixed.
They also take 9-inch. 8-inch, & 7-inch records last in pyramid order (larger before smaller).
GARRARD AT series, Autoslim, 1000, 2000, SL55, SL65 (not B) - Early Semaphore Models
Repeat a 12-inch record
Long or short spindle 		Place the record on the turntable.
Put the overarm over the arm rest post.
Move the control lever to AUTO.
Repeat a 10-inch or 7-inch record
Long or short spindle 		Get the smallest (5/32-inch) binder or banker's clip at a business supply store.
Place the record on the turntable.
Clip the clip on the overarm shaft from behind so it holds the overarm up.
Turn the overarm in the clip so it stays in position to hold the semaphore for the size.
Move the control lever to AUTO.
GARRARD 2500, 3000 - Late Semaphore Models
Automatic single play of 12-inch record on turntable
Long or short spindle 		Put the overarm over the rest post.
Place the record on the turntable.
Move the control lever to AUTO.
Automatic single play of 7-inch record on turntable
Long or short spindle 		Place the record on the turntable.
Put the overarm next to the spindle (normal position for changing records) and lower it.
Move the control lever to AUTO.
GARRARD SL-65B, SL-55B, 40B, and most later models that do not intermix record sizes
Repeating any record in the stack
Long spindle 		A repeater disc can repeat any record in the stack once.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
Models after 1966
Immediately start the already playing record over from the beginning Turn the control knob to REJ, then quickly to OFF, then quickly release.
Repeat any record in the stack A repeater disc can repeat any record in the stack once.
All changers that hold the rims of the records.
Repeater discs do not work and can cause damage. If a repeater disc is in the stack, the changer can break the record on top of it.
GLASER-STEERS
GS-77
Using the Speedminder position The Speedminder allows intermix of 7-inch 45 rpm with 10-inch and 12-inch 33 rpm records in any order.
Full Manual Operation Placing overarm over the rest post causes full manual operation
The changer must be started automatically to start the turntable turning. Let the record drop.
Moving the control to OFF returns the arm to rest and stops the changer.
GS-3000, 4000
Repeat a record Place the record on the turntable.
Move the overarm into the felt notch so the overarm tip is over the edge of the record.
Move the control to ON REJ to start.
Moving the control to OFF returns the arm to rest and stops the changer.
PERPETUUM EBNER
Models 2030, 2035, 2038, 2040
Shut off mid-stack at end of record Move the command lever to START MAN and leave it there.
The changer will shut off at the end of the playing record without dropping the next record.
PHILCO
Model M-39
For Philco M-39 See Glaser-Steers 77 (above)
Models M-20 & M-22
Stop the changer from repeating the last record Turn the control to MAN just after the last record drops.
Models numbered M-26 & lower, M-38, and all changers that hold the rims of the records
Repeater discs do not work and can cause damage. If a repeater disc is in the stack, the changer can break the record on top of it.
PHILIPS
Repeating a record (All AG models with START, STOP, AND SIZE BUTTONS) Put the record on the turntable.
Install the short spindle and remove the overarm (or swing it over the rest).
Select the size of the record on the size control.
Fully depress the START key and release it.
To stop the repeat action, depress the STOP key. The changer will stop at the end of the record.
RCA
All Models
CAUTION - DAMAGE CAN OCCUR RCA changers have no swing-out safety drive on the pickup arm.
Damage will occur if the arm is restrained.
Models RP-205, 211 thru 215
Return arm to rest without turning off While the changer is cycling with the overarm in the low position, press and hold REJ until the arm starts to set on the rest post.
Repeat a record on the turntable Put the record on the turntable.
If the record is 12-inch, wedge folded paper between the drop feeler and the overarm shaft casing.
For 12-inch, Push the drop feeler back away from the spindle.
Raise the overarm and swing it over the rest.
Move the control to REJ and release it
All Models RP-178 and earlier - all changers that hold the rims of the records
Repeater discs do not work and can cause damage. If a repeater disc is in the stack, the changer can break the record on top of it.
V-M
All 100, 200, and 800 series- models that hold records by the rims
Repeater discs do not work and can cause damage. If a repeater disc is in the stack, the changer can break the record on top of it.
Tri-O-Matic and Stere-O-Matic
CAUTION - DAMAGE CAN OCCUR DO NOT try to keep the changer from turning the knob to OFF!
DO NOT try to raise or lower the overarm during the change cycle!
DO NOT move the overarm during full manual operation.
All of these can damage the trip slide.
Full Manual Operation Put the record on the turntable.
Put the overarm in its low place next to the spindle and turn the control to REJECT.
The changer will go through a change cycle and shut itself off.
Rotate the turntable backwards two rotations. Leave the overarm in its low place.
Turn the control knob to ON and place the pickup arm on the record.
Do not move the overarm during full manual operation.
Turn the control to REJECT to return the arm to rest, change back to auto, and shut off the changer.
Stere-O-Matic
Automatic return to rest after play without shutoff. Move the overarm over the restpost. Then turn then changer ON and place the arm on the record.
At the end of the record, the arm will return to rest without turning off the turntable.
1500
This is the only mini-45 changer with auto shutoff. The arm feels for the presence of the next record before it drops.
Repeat a record in the stack. A repeater disc can repeat any record in the stack once.
Another record the same size must be next after the repeater disc.
1555, 1585, 1701, 1702
Manual play with these changers Put the record up on the spindle and push the MAN key.
The arm feels and lowers the record, but stays poised over it.
If the record is already on the turntable, use your hand to stop the arm when it feels for a record.
Use the CUE key to raise and lower the arm to position it.
Use the STOP key to return the arm to rest and shut off the changer.
WEBCOR
All changers that hold the rims of the records
Repeater discs do not work and can cause damage. If a repeater disc is in the stack, the changer can break the record on top of it.
100 Series
Repeat a record in the stack. A repeater disc can repeat any record in the stack once.
Another record the same size must be next after the repeater disc.
Magic Mind Series
The speed knob changes by itself. These mix 12-inch and 10-inch 33 RPM records with 7-inch 45 RPM records in the same stack.
These play 12-inch and 10-inch 45 RPM records and 7-inch 33 RPM records at the wrong speed. These records can be played by turning the speed knob after the arm sets down.
The speed control turns to 45 after the last 33 RPM record. This is normal, because no large record dropped.
 - It will change back to 33 when a large record drops in the next stack.