This is in response to Roger Waring and his mention of 16 rpm
turntables in the Sun, 9 Jul 2000 MMD.

I once had a couple of professional Thorens (? I think) turntables,
circa late 1950's, that had 78, 45, 33 and 16 rpm speed options on the
speed selector knob.  I never had a use for the 16 rpm speed, although
I do seem to recall talking to someone at the time who was familiar
with 16 rpm recordings, but I can't remember who or anything much about
that long ago conversation.

I do remember being told that these 16 rpm transcriptions were limited,
maybe to voice (spoken, not singing), but I'm not certain anymore.
I do not recall ever seeing a consumer-grade turntable with the 16 rpm
speed, however.

So, Roger, your brain may indeed be playing tricks on you, but 16 rpm
turntables did exist as production items, at least for awhile.

Terry Hathaway
http://www.hathaworld.com/