In our last article ( Audio Books ), we examined the development and use of 16 RPM records, mainly as they applied to home use. We will continue our look at this obscure record speed, by concentrating on the commercial application in the Seeburg Background Music System (BMS).
You may recall from my previous articles on this subject that there was minimal standardization of the 16 2/3 RPM format. Some were pressed as 7" singles with 3" centre holes and no paper label, others were pressed looking similar to a 45 RPM single. Still others were issued as 10" or 12" albums complete with sleeve graphics. Most of these unusual configurations had vanished by the early 1960s.
The Seeburg BMS, however, was the greatest exploitation of the 16 RPM speed. They pressed more records in their unique 16 RPM format than any other 16 RPM disc manufacturer, and utilized this speed for more than 30 years.
A Brief History of The Seeburg Corporation
Justus P Seeburg (Sjoberg) was of Swedish descent and founded his company in 1902 with capital of his own. His earliest products were coin-operated pianos, which later evolved into "Orchestrions". These were powered pneumatically by electrically operated bellows. With the deposit of a coin, a patron was entertained by a player piano that was accompanied by a variety of instruments: snare drum, flute, mandolin, cymbals, and violin. The company became the leading player piano manufacturer by 1920.
The introduction in 1926 of the Brunswick Panatrope was indeed a technological breakthrough in sound quality. For the first time, phonograph records were able to be played with considerable volume and wide range sound (not possible with acoustic reproduction). Justus Seeburg recognized the importance of this development and by 1927 had discontinued production of "Orchestrions". With the arrival of electrically recorded discs and electrical playback, Seeburg manufactured one of the first "automatic phonographs" or jukeboxes. It was a non-selective model that played 8 records. The 1930s saw a proliferation of Art Deco jukebox masterpieces, as Seeburg competed with other manufacturers, such as Wurlitzer and Broccoli for market domination. During this period, Wurlitzer was always the leader, with Seeburg usually in the number three position.
Various selector mechanisms were tried before settling on one that used a system of sliding trays to change the records. In spite of the Depression, the market expanded greatly. Prohibition had been repealed and liquor was now flowing in many local taverns. These establishments needed cheap entertainment, and jukeboxes fitted the need perfectly.
Seeburg was often a company that would experiment with new technology. They were the first to create a "light-up" machine, the "Symphonola Classic" of 1938. This used low-wattage bulbs behind red translucent plastic panels. The effect was so stunning that their competitors scrambled to come out with similar cabinets.
Seeburg was also the first to offer "Wall-o-Matic" systems to restaurant patrons. This was a wired selector box that was wheeled from table to table. Later on, the system was developed so that permanently mounted wall-boxes were at each table. These are fondly remembered today, and the most recognized is the model 3W1.
Perhaps the greatest development that Seeburg made in its history is that of the "Select-o-Matic" mechanism, first used in the 1949 Model M100A. Up until this time, most jukeboxes had 20 to 24 selections, playing only one side of each record.
The "Select-o-Matic" held 50 records, playing both sides, for a total of one hundred tunes. In 1950, Seeburg was the first jukebox manufacturer to take a chance on formatting their mechanism to play the new 45 RPM single. It was a gamble, as there was no guarantee that the format would survive or ever surpass the beloved 78 RPM record. By the mid 1950s, Seeburg was the undisputed leader in jukebox manufacture. The glass and chrome machines, with visible mechanisms, are highly collectible and spark warm memories for many. However, by the early 1960s, the role of the jukebox was beginning to wane (especially with the advent of television). The machines took on much more of a background role, losing their glitter and curves, and began to look like cigarette machine consoles!
Development of a New Product and Service
Seeburg began testing the market for library-type record playing systems in 1948, calling them "Seeburg Industrial Commercial Music". They put two of their 100- play 78 RPM jukebox mechanisms into one cabinet, and sold them to well-to-do clients. Frank Sinatra was one of the first to purchase. The units were later available as 200-play 45 RPM models, and were popular in the 1950s, especially with celebrities such as Elvis, Nat King Cole and the like.
In the late 1950s, Seeburg sought to expand their product line, and saw a niche for background music in commercial establishments such as restaurants and department stores. Their solution was a totally new 16 RPM record format, which would work only on their unit. The first BMS (Background Music System) was introduced in 1959, the Model BMS "1000" (later referred to as "BMS 1"). It used much of the machinery and technology that had been developed for Seeburg’s jukeboxes.
It boasted the following exclusive specifications:
• | A high fidelity 16 2/3 RPM, 9" record with a 2" centre hole, that could hold up to 40 selections on one record and play for about 40 minutes or more per side. The groove was extremely fine, at 420 lines per inch, and a 0.5 mil stylus was used (vs. 1.0 mil for regular mono microgrooves, and 0.7 mil for stereo). The cartridge was the two-sided Red Head model that was utilized in their jukeboxes (but with a smaller diameter stylus to play these very finely grooved records). |
• | The system was referred to as the "Seeburg 1000", since the unit could play 25 records, holding 1000 selections, without title duplication (25 records with 40 selections each = 1000). Average play time for the stack of 25 records was 37.5 hours. Certainly a technical feat in its time! |
• | The Model BMS 1 (and later BMS 2) was a fully-contained unit that held the unique record changer, a 12-watt RMS amplifier (capable of powering up to 50 individual speakers, in addition to the internal 6" x 9" speaker), as well as provisions for use as a public address system or conventional phonograph playback. It was deemed compact, and measured 22" x 14" x 12", weighing "only" 51 lbs. |
• | At the end of the cycle, the unit would re-stack the records by having the turntable push the stack up, and begin the playback process all over. (It is supposed to be fascinating to watch). |
• | Although Seeburg often referred to the records as "High Fidelity", I personally have found them to not live up to the hype. The bass response is suppressed so as to allow minimum groove width and thereby maximum length of the recording. The treble response appears to fall off in the 6000 Hz range. |
Introductory price for the BMS 1 was $695 (In comparison, at the time, a new console television was about $250. A typical new jukebox was $1200). A second stripped-down version was the BMU 10, which looked the same as the BMS 1, but had no internal amplifier, so it had to be plugged into an existing public address system. Later on, the last version released was a much smaller model introduced at $495, the BMC1 (Background Music Compact). This was very plain, being a vinyl covered box, and was intended to be kept out of sight, again needing its own amplifier system (see photos).
A revised model, BMS 2 was introduced in October 1963, and was much fancier than the BMS 1 that it replaced. It was designed to be in full public view, as opposed to hidden away in a back room. A lighted window (with locked door) allowed the records to be fully visible. Another major technological advancement was the use of a fully transistorized amplifier, especially since Seeburg was still using tubes in their jukeboxes (this too would change in 1964). The BMSs were sold to music vendors, not the public, and it was more than a 'behind the scenes phonograph'. It was a true "system" that required frequent purchase (or rental) of the software from Seeburg, thus ensuring a steady flow of income generated.
An interesting "accessory" was the SABMC2 Background Automatic Music Center. This was a cabinet designed to hold three BMS 2 units, and incorporated a timer. It was used for either changing the variety of background music, supplying an incredible variety, or for funnelling three different types of music to three different sections of a complex or company (for example, different music for a company’s office workers vs. factory workers).
Distribution of the system and records was very specific and unique. It was primarily leased to end-user businesses by Seeburg-appointed operators and sound contractors, and paid for by the month. The cost of the service included new records being mailed out each month to the client, and old or unwanted records were to be exchanged and returned to Seeburg (to be destroyed). The cost of the monthly service also included public performance ASCAP/BMI fees paid for commercial music use.
Seeburg had special pressing arrangements with Columbia (and later RCA, then Capitol) for the manufacture of their unique records. Various types of music were classified according to label colours and to suit the desired musical effect. It is not clear if the recordings were taken from the major record companies’ backlogs or were commissioned by Seeburg. In either event, they were made by unknown and unaccredited musicians.
The orange label was the "Basic Library" and had medium average tempo "completely instrumental, balanced musical content. Wide variety as to style and size of orchestra, includes all latest suitable show tunes and pops. Designed for: offices, banks, restaurants, savings and loan associations, stores, supermarkets, drugstores, shops, and airports".
The blue label series was "average tempo: Medium Slow. Completely instrumental, large orchestras. Full bodied, smooth, melodic music. Emphasis on stringed instruments. Predominance of show tunes, great standards, waltzes. Pure 'atmosphere' music. Designed for prestige: department stores, hotels, motels, salons, shops, restaurants, night clubs, country clubs, cock-tail lounges".
The third category was the maroon label "Industrial Library": "Average tempo, medium fast. Predominantly instrumental, with a light seasoning of great vocals. An occasional polka and march. Emphasis on popular music. Minimum of stringed instruments. Unusually rhythmical. Over-all lively character but never rock 'n' roll. Designed for industrial plants only". This up-beat music was designed to help workers be more productive! (Quotations are from the original product sales literature booklet).
The series title names were later changed to "Lifestyle, Penthouse, and Upbeat" in 1979.
The library was quite large and was updated every three months with 5 new records (200 selections) initially, then to seven new records according to record box containers issued in 1966. A Christmas series was also created, that included festive songs intermingled with regular selections.
Seeburg BMS Record Return Instructions
The following instructions were listed on the cartons of new 16 RPM records that Seeburg supplied for their operators. Note the clear and precise rotation of a portion of the stack of records in the machine. Even the specific order on the machine is dictated. Penalties were imposed when records were not returned to the factory (where they were destroyed). Still, there are many copies of these 16 RPM records available on the used record market, so the incentives for returning were perhaps not severe enough! Since the Background Music Systems played only custom-manufactured 16 RPM records, the end-users had no option but to comply with Seeburg’s instructions, or else they would quickly get tired of hearing the same selections on their machines!
For each such "USED RECORD" not returned within 30 days, distributor’s monthly music fee will be increased by twenty-four cents (.24).
Operation Of The Record Change Mechanism
Harold Hagen in his book, Dr. Know-It-All’s 2nd Seeburg Reference (page 105), does an excellent job of describing the manner in which the mechanism played and operated, without human intervention; 25 records on a continuous basis. Again, Seeburg had years of experience and leadership in the jukebox business, so they were able to engineer a mechanism that was extremely reliable and easy to utilize.
The twenty five records are placed on the top of the spindle, with a weight on top of them. A set of fingers on the spindle holds them in position.
When put into operation, the tone-arm first plays the lower side of the bottom record. When this side is finished, the record drops about an inch and a half, and the tone-arm plays the top side of the same record. After this side plays, the record drops to the bottom of the spindle, and the lower side of the next record plays.
The unique part of the design is that the spindle is divided into two sections, both rotating continuously in opposite directions (the reason for this is so that it could play the reverse side of the record in the proper direction, once called upon).
There is a feeler to see if there are any records remaining at the top of the spindle. Eventually, after all twenty-five records are played, the mechanism must stop and raise all the records to the top... the mechanism pauses and an arm raises all the records to the top to start the cycle all over again.”
Recall that this entire process (playing 25 records) took approximately 37 1/2 hours!
If the reader has access to a computer, I strongly suggest that you check out You-Tube, under Seeburg Background Music System, and see one in operation for yourself. It’s very interesting.
Demise
The BMS was extremely reliable and served its clients well for over 30 years. It was relatively inexpensive to rent, and there was a steady supply of new selections available on a continuous basis. Today most of us would take for granted having unlimited music available but, in hind-sight, Seeburg truly had a remarkable system that held a captive market in terms of its software! The last sets of records were issued in 1986, and the program was discontinued. But what led to this termination? There were a few reasons.
Seeburg eventually switched to microwave satellite transmission (like their competitor Muzak), so as to offer a greater variety of music without the physical hassle of exchanging phonograph records. Later on this type of transmission was sent over the Internet.
With microwave signals, there were typically 35 to 60 channels available, with only about 3 being "elevator" music. The business-owner clients can now custom-tailor the mood they want to create, with the flick of a few buttons.
People’s tastes have changed too, in which most want to hear the original song by the original artist. IPods and cell phones now compete for attention.
Muzak, DMX, Music Choice, Play Network and the commercial arm of Sirius/XM satellite radio are the major providers of background music systems today. Seeburg went out of business in the mid 1990s (mainly a result of the jukebox industry slowly collapsing, starting in the early 1970s).
Conclusion
The Seeburg Background Music System was a technological leap that filled a niche market. This was the first and only successful application of 16 RPM records that were specifically designed with this one purpose in mind.
BMS "1000" units will sometimes show up for sale on e-Bay and other venues. Prices are usually in the $200-$700 range, with records going for $10 and up, depending on condition. Christmas selections appear to be the most popular and command higher prices (more tolerable music, I guess!). In comparison with Seeburg jukeboxes, the BMS has much lower interest and demand. Although the changer mechanism is unique, it is the predominance of "elevator" music that has prevented these units from becoming very collectible, nor are they ever expected to be in the foreseeable future.
Still, this 16 RPM system was very successful for three and a half decades, and delivered what it was supposed to: reliable, inexpensive background mood music for a variety of patrons in a wide range of business establishments. Most other 16 RPM formats lasted less than 5 years each, so the BMS was clearly the most prolific use of the speed, and will go down in phonographic history as such.