MUSIC HISTORY LESSON
Each month, a mini lesson in music history.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
33 1/3, 45, AND 78 RPM? WHO INVENTED THEM, AND HOW DID THEY COME ABOUT? WHEN BUYING OLD RECORDS HOW CAN I TELL THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 33, 45, AND 78’s?
by Jinjer Hundley
The first records as we know them
were 78’s. They were 10 inches in diameter, played at 78
rpm, and were made of shellac. Because they had no grooves, they
could only hold one song, and the shellac made them highly breakable.
In 1948, Columbia revealed its new 12", 33 1/3-rpm vinyl album, which
held nearly one hour of music and trademarked the name LP (Long Playing).
Rather than accept Columbia’s royalty-free offer to join them in this
endeavor, RCA got busy and created their own “new and improved” system,
advertising the “convenient 7" size” for easy storage and “sparkling
identifying colors!” Black vinyl was used for pop music, red for classical,
midnight blue for “light classics,” green for country-western, yellow for
children’s, sky blue for international, and “cerise”—not orange—for R&B. The
color coding fad lasted for only a couple of years before RCA converted to
all black vinyl in 1952.
Most researchers agree there was no rhyme or reason for the speeds chosen,
the sizes of the records, or the sizes of the holes in the center. However,
some theories and rumors suggest that the length of the LP was determined by
either the length of the typical leisurely dinner or by the length of the
typical romantic encounter, including the cigarette afterward. (In
researching this article, we found no written evidence supporting either
theory.)
The first 45’s were released either as “Albums” which were boxed sets
consisting of three, four, or more, 45-rpm records, or
EP’s, which were 45’s
that typically contained two songs per side. Both were meant to be stacked
on a record changer for continuous play. Soon after, RCA started releasing
individual songs, “singles,” on the new 45-rpm format as well. The first
45-rpm single to top the Billboard charts was Perry Como’s “A-You’re
Adorable”.
Music fans didn’t think much of the cumbersome 45-rpm “albums,” preferring
the uninterrupted 33 1/3-rpm LP, but with the advent of rock and roll, kids
went crazy for the 7” singles.
Columbia eventually lost the LP trademark after the term became generic and
started manufacturing its own 45-rpm singles in 1950.
How to Tell the Difference between 33 1/3, 78, and 45 When Buying Old
Records:
When buying old records, LP’s (sometimes called albums) are usually the
largest, nearly 12” in diameter, and come in colorful cardboard covers
(called jackets) with artwork and song titles. Many contain the words “33 ½
rpm” or “Long Playing Record”. Old LPs are made of a thicker, sturdier vinyl
than modern LPs and may be somewhat brittle with age. LPs were discontinued
and replaced with CD’s by most record labels in the late 1980’s.
78’s are 10” in diameter, contain one song per side and are made of thick,
brittle shellac. They are highly breakable and the edges chip easily, so
have consideration for the 78 collector and use caution when going through
the bins. Many of the 78’s come with no paper sleeve or cover of any kind.
Not all turntables play 78’s, but old Victrolas and early record players
typically do.
45’s are 7” in diameter, typically have one or two songs per side, and most
have a larger hole in the middle. The words “45 rpm” and/or “Side A” and
“Side B” often appear.
Some limited edition or special collectible records may not adhere to these
guidelines, but most commercially manufactured records fall into one of the
above categories. If you’re not sure, in most cases reading both the cover
and label on the record will tell you what it is.
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