Phonoland

Hi All

I have 4 Seeburg DS and one KS. All of these are pretty reliable, unless they are having a bad day

I was wondering which machines are considered the best and why. Some models I am interested in are the J, R, V/VL, 201 and 222.

Please opine as you like.

Best
Darrell

Darrell, I've owned all the models mentioned and have V,Vl,K and 201 in revenue service.

From a purely technical standpoint once Seeburg established the direct operation of the Tormat system (TSR-3) all the subsequent models were very reliable -in the context of their time.

The use of tubes in control circuits was a weak point, but that was a tradeoff for eliminating a mess of coils, points and relays. You only have to look at Wurlitzer's first 200 (the 2000) to see how impractical and bizarre it was to stretch the old methods into the "mega-selection" era.

From a commercial standpoint my favorite is the 201. 200 Selections. NO drum. No curved glass.

The fast scanning mech beginning with the K placed an added strain on the clutch and Tormat contacts, but cleaning and oiling mitigate that. The K&L also had the problematic printed boards but unless badly carbonized they can be reworked with some point-to-point wiring and are OK for home use.

When I started to operate the old machines in 1985 the intense use they got on location quickly boiled out the weak spots and I began developing modifications to keep the machines from driving me crazy. I was a theater tech off 'n on B-Way and had a full 7 day schedule, so even one troublesome machine was a problem.

The requirements for home use are so much more lenient that the choice can be based on one's own technical acumen and aesthetics.

Buy what you can handle and enjoy.

Rob/NYC

Rob

I like the looks of the 201 and it would look nice alongside our KS!

Next I would choose a V/VL.

The 222 is also attractive.

Best
Darrell