RetroTech: Seeburg 1000 BMS1 Background Music System (1959-1986)

Background music machines once derided are now collected. The BMS1 featured in this video might be the most desirable of the lot.

The tune I didn't know the name of is East To West - Voyage

Update - Apparently the Android App doesn't work at the moment.

-------------SUPPORT---------------
This channel can be supported through Patreon
Patrons usually have early access to videos

---------------SUBSCRIBE------------------

---INTRO----
Thanks to Jerobeam Fenderson for the oscilloscope animation.

[TheBitGuy]

Great video, as always.. I miss not seeing the muppets often anymore...

[Nostalgianerd]

I'm always blown away when stuff like this works so flawlessly. Even more blown away by disco ET... sounded like a dallas mash up.

[arthurphillips]

Hi I worked for the Ditchburn organisation in Lytham Lancashire who imported 50 of the Seeburgh BMS 1000 machines in 1960, I worked on these machines in 1968 to when I finished in 1973. My work was on the Amplifiers which after 6 years or so realy did need it the capacitors were leaky and the paper ones were crap but with a full service they performed brilliant. They were the best BGM machine ever produced far better than the Symphonare we produced or the later symphonet, I am now 77 Happy days.

[abl]

An 18 minute Techmoan video today? My life is complete.

[RCALivingStereo]

I have 2 of these machines and the very rare Seeburg Encore machine
The warble your having is a common issue
The 2 rubber drive tires you have need to be redone
The rubber gets divots in the rubber tire from age and they need to be redone
Also there are 2 more oil points your missing
There's two to the right under neith the main platter
It's hard to explain but do a search on YouTube, there's a fellow collector on there who points them out.
They are the drive tire bearings
There's two little felt oil pad circles, you'll see them
They need a good oiling to
But to get the most out of the machine, have the two drive tires re rubbered.

[James-cdih]

Well i went to the seeburg1000 site and started streaming. This is the most delightful background music I have ever heard. you will find yourself transported instantly into every mall scene and tv ad from older movies ever. It actually makes me want to buy one of these things.

[WilliePeck]

It's interesting you bring up the idea of listening to these old songs. A fellow YouTubeer Mark Davis has a rather collectable music library too. When he worked for Kmart in the late 80s early 90s he was in charge of changing the background music cassettes and instead of throwing them away he kept them. They've all been digitized and are available on archive.org

[AlyxForest]

I think it's sad they these were essentially made to be destroyed in the end. Music is art and should never be thrown away.

[tht]

Just woke up and received this notification, I think it's a good day already!!

[ikongod]

Thank you for this. I really enjoy that the old machines of yesteryear. You are not only recording them for history here but I find them very fascinating. I found you years and years ago when I was looking for a home security camera. I did buy the one you had recommended and shown the set up with. It still works and I have been enjoying you and your content ever since. Basically, thank you for being you and taking the time to do this for us all. Cheers from the US.

[vinylophage]

the audio track heard at 15:16 is a cover of french groupe called Voyage "From East to West" (1977) .. they also recorded the famous track "Souvenirs" ..
And it's Not Barry White ;)

[TheLukanda]

Best looking device you've reviewed Techmoan. What a thing of beauty!

[maverickhistorian]

When I worked in retail, this muzak drove me absolutely nuts.

[deanokken]

Thanks for bringing the old intro back. And I really love that beautiful suede smoking you're wearing here! Fits nicely with that shirt. Also, I absolutely loved this episode. I can't _wait_ for part 2.

[jackallen]

Thanks Matt for posting this...I would have had no idea what this was today (10-1-2021) when i found one at a Flea Market in western Oklahoma for the princely sum of...wait for it...40 dollars US! It is in great condition and everything appears to be there but of course I have no idea if it works. Thanks again!! Cheers!!

[ranger_a]

It's May 2020 now, Covid19 is affecting us worldwide. Most of the world is in lockdown, or should be, and after downloading the Seeburg app for my phone, I now really miss going to the mall. Did not see that ever happening. Even so, thanks for mentioning the app, I'm really enjoying it :)

[mao]

Really enjoyed the BMS versions of "Blue Bayou" and "Dreaming" on this video. Great machine. I'm only a little envious. Thanks for sharing.

[millenniumf]

Definitely wouldn't have "increased productivity" with me... I'd be standing there, trying to figure out what song it was I was listening to! XD

[ditarf]

Ever since you mentioned Seeburg in your earlier videos I'm completely hooked on the online station. And now you made a video of the the device itself. I...I just want to hug you!

[MA-naconitor]

I recently re-watched the 3M Cantata video, and saw the link you put up to the Seeburg 1000 site. I then thought "wouldn't it be cool, if he made a video about the Seeburg 1000?". A very pleasant surprise!