Can I play any record on any record player?

No, you cannot play any record on any record player. There are a variety of sizes of vinyl records and a range of speeds at which records are intended to be played. It’s important to make sure you use the proper player for the records you have in order to ensure the best sound and to keep your records in good condition.

What are the main parts of a record player?

The main parts of a record player are the plinth, the revolving platter, the tone arm, the stylus and the cartridge. The plinth is the base of the record player, while the revolving platter is the round platform in the middle where you put the record. When you're ready to play a record, you lift the tone arm and place the needle or stylus against the vinyl. Then, the cartridge inside of the tone arm produces electrical signals as the stylus moves over the record's grooves. These impulses amplify to play music. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of record players.

Did they have record players in the 1930s?

Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.

What were old-time record players called?

Old-time record players were called gramophones or phonographs. Thomas Edison debuted his phonograph in 1877. The device was the result of Edison’s developing improvements to the telegraph and the telephone. He worked out a way to record sound on cylinders that were coated in tin foil (he decided that his invention would “undoubtedly be liberally devoted to music”). On 1stDibs, find vintage record players.

What were record players called in the 50s?

In the 1950s, most people just called record players record players. The technical name for record players from this period is a phonograph. Until the 1940s, many people referred to record players as gramophones. On 1stDibs, find a variety of record players.

How much is an antique record player cabinet worth?

How much an antique record player cabinet is worth depends on a variety of factors. The age, materials, maker and condition all impact value. If the record player remains inside the cabinet, and whether or not it is operational will also affect the price you can expect to receive for it. Having the cabinet evaluated by a certified appraiser is a simple way to find out how much your piece is worth. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of record players.

Portable Record Player

Eames Zenith Shell Chair

Rare Musical Instruments

Vintage Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Blue White Portable Record Player GE Turntable

$65

H 6 in W 13.5 in D 9.5 in

Vintage Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Blue White Portable Record Player GE Turntable

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage General Electric Blue & White Mickey Mouse Walt Disney 1970's Portable Record Player

Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Blue Portable Record Player GE Turntable (B)

$55

H 6 in W 13.5 in D 9.5 in

Vintage Mickey Mouse Walt Disney Blue Portable Record Player GE Turntable (B)

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage General Electric Blue & White Mickey Mouse Walt Disney 1970's Portable Record Player

Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Original Vintage Poster Teppaz AmplifIcateurs Electrophones, Alain Gauthier 1960

$2,900

H 47.25 in W 63 in D 0 in

Original Vintage Poster Teppaz AmplifIcateurs Electrophones, Alain Gauthier 1960

By Alain Gauthier

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

record came player came out in 1960, it was advertised as a portable record player for teenagers. This

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

French Original Advertising Poster, Teppaz Circa 1960 by Alain GAUTHIER

$2,320Sale Price|20% Off

H 63 in W 47.25 in D 0 in

French Original Advertising Poster, Teppaz Circa 1960 by Alain GAUTHIER

By Alain Gauthier

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

came player came out in 1960, it was advertised as a portable record player for teenagers. This

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

Rare Op Art Portable Recod Player with Flashing Multi-colored Lights

$990

H 5.5 in W 10 in D 12.5 in

Rare Op Art Portable Recod Player with Flashing Multi-colored Lights

By Jay Kelly

Located in Buffalo, NY

groovy design! AC powered "DeJay" brand portable monual record player in excellent condition..Plays 33 45

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Fabric, Plastic, Wood

Recent Sales

Mid-Century Catalin Bakelite Self-Contained Portable Record Player With Storage

Unavailable

H 10.5 in W 10 in D 7 in

Mid-Century Catalin Bakelite Self-Contained Portable Record Player With Storage

Located in Dallas, TX

Mid Century Catalin Bakelite Self-Contained Portable Record Player With Storage, Circa 1945 Drum

Category

20th Century American Art Deco Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Italian modern Phono Boy portable record player Mario Bellini for Grundig, 1970s

Sold

H 3.15 in W 7.88 in D 8.67 in

Italian modern Phono Boy portable record player Mario Bellini for Grundig, 1970s

By Mario Bellini, Grundig

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian modern Phono Boy portable record player Mario Bellini for Grundig, 1970s Portable record

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Patrice Dupont, Philips 22GF303 UFO Record Player, 1969, Space Age, Working

Sold

H 4.73 in Dm 11.82 in

Patrice Dupont, Philips 22GF303 UFO Record Player, 1969, Space Age, Working

By Patrice Dupont, Philips

Located in London, GB

Patrice Dupont (designer) Philips (manufacturer) 22 GF 303 'UFU' portable record player, designed

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Space Age Musical Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Original Vintage Poster-Gauthier-Teppaz-Record Player-Lyon-Musique, c.1960

Sold

H 115 in W 157 in D 1 in

Original Vintage Poster-Gauthier-Teppaz-Record Player-Lyon-Musique, c.1960

By Alain Gauthier

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Teppaz portable record player. The poster features a reclining woman dressed in flags, a record player

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Paper

French Original Advertising Poster, Teppaz Circa 1960 by Alain GAUTHIER

Sold

H 63 in W 47.25 in D 0 in

French Original Advertising Poster, Teppaz Circa 1960 by Alain GAUTHIER

By Alain Gauthier

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

came player came out in 1960, it was advertised as a portable record player for teenagers. This

Category

Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

Original Vintage Poster, Teppaz Record Player, Music Partition, World Flag 1960

Sold

H 115 in W 157 in D 1 in

Original Vintage Poster, Teppaz Record Player, Music Partition, World Flag 1960

By Alain Gauthier

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Poster to promote the Teppaz portable record player, created in 1960 by Gauthier. Artist: Gauthier

Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Posters

Materials

Paper

Patrice Dupont, Philips 22GF303 UFO Record Player, 1969, Space Age, Working

Sold

H 4.73 in Dm 11.82 in

Patrice Dupont, Philips 22GF303 UFO Record Player, 1969, Space Age, Working

By Patrice Dupont, Philips

Located in London, GB

Patrice Dupont (designer) Philips (manufacturer) 22 GF 303 'UFU' portable record player

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Space Age Musical Instruments

Materials

Plastic

Classic Midcentury Silvertone Syntronic Fiberglass Record Player, Radio

Sold

H 8 in W 17.5 in D 20 in

Classic Midcentury Silvertone Syntronic Fiberglass Record Player, Radio

By Silvertone

Located in Buffalo, NY

Classic midcentury silvertone syntronic fiberglass portable suitcase record player and radio

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Vintage Sound Burger AT 727 Portable Record Player from Audio Technica

Sold

H 2.37 in W 3.94 in D 11.42 in

Vintage Sound Burger AT 727 Portable Record Player from Audio Technica

By Audio Technica

Located in Porto, PT

-Vintage Sound Burger AT 727 portable record player from Audio Technica. NOS original packaging

Category

Vintage 1980s Japanese Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Machine Age RCA Special 78 Portable Record Player by John Vassos

Sold

H 80 in W 16.75 in D 15.75 in

Machine Age RCA Special 78 Portable Record Player by John Vassos

Located in Los Angeles, CA

. This record player has been mechanically restored, has a new battery and plays great. It is in the

Category

20th Century American More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel

Machine Age RCA Special 78 Portable Record Player by John Vassos

Sold

H 8 in W 16.75 in D 15.75 in

Machine Age RCA Special 78 Portable Record Player by John Vassos

By RCA Story, John Vassos

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The RCA Special is an incredible icon of modern American Design. It debuted at the 1939 New York World's Fair in the RCA Building. This is one of the finest examples of an original c...

Category

20th Century American More Furniture and Collectibles

Materials

Aluminum, Enamel

Vintage Sound Burger AT 727 Portable Record Player from Audio Technica

Sold

H 2.37 in W 3.94 in D 11.42 in

Vintage Sound Burger AT 727 Portable Record Player from Audio Technica

By Audio Technica

Located in Porto, PT

-Vintage Sound Burger AT 727 portable record player from Audio Technica. NOS original packaging

Category

Vintage 1980s Japanese Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Metal

Rare Art Deco Columbia N. 900 Portable Hand Crank Record Player

Sold

H 8.5 in W 12.5 in D 18.5 in

Rare Art Deco Columbia N. 900 Portable Hand Crank Record Player

Located in Chicago, IL

collection of various 78's. The record player is not only a great object but also works!

Category

Vintage 1930s American Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Chrome

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Portable Record Player", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Questions About Portable Record Player

Can I play any record on any record player?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
No, you cannot play any record on any record player. There are a variety of sizes of vinyl records and a range of speeds at which records are intended to be played. It’s important to make sure you use the proper player for the records you have in order to ensure the best sound and to keep your records in good condition.
What are the main parts of a record player?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
The main parts of a record player are the plinth, the revolving platter, the tone arm, the stylus and the cartridge. The plinth is the base of the record player, while the revolving platter is the round platform in the middle where you put the record. When you're ready to play a record, you lift the tone arm and place the needle or stylus against the vinyl. Then, the cartridge inside of the tone arm produces electrical signals as the stylus moves over the record's grooves. These impulses amplify to play music. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of record players.
Did they have record players in the 1930s?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
Yes, people had record players in the 1930s. In fact, record players began to become more common during the decade and continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1940s, 50s and 60s. Thomas Edison made the first phonograph record player in 1877. Shop a variety of record players on 1stDibs.
What were old-time record players called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
Old-time record players were called gramophones or phonographs. Thomas Edison debuted his phonograph in 1877. The device was the result of Edison’s developing improvements to the telegraph and the telephone. He worked out a way to record sound on cylinders that were coated in tin foil (he decided that his invention would “undoubtedly be liberally devoted to music”). On 1stDibs, find vintage record players.
What were record players called in the 50s?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
In the 1950s, most people just called record players record players. The technical name for record players from this period is a phonograph. Until the 1940s, many people referred to record players as gramophones. On 1stDibs, find a variety of record players.
How much is an antique record player cabinet worth?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
How much an antique record player cabinet is worth depends on a variety of factors. The age, materials, maker and condition all impact value. If the record player remains inside the cabinet, and whether or not it is operational will also affect the price you can expect to receive for it. Having the cabinet evaluated by a certified appraiser is a simple way to find out how much your piece is worth. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of record players.

Dickens Fan on Your List? This First Edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Is a Treasure

Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.

Patchwork Quilts Are the Latest Nostalgic Design Trend

New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.

Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games

Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.

Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This

French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.

39 Incredible Swimming Pools

It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.

Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors

The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.

Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier

Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.

Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure

Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.