Name me an iconic record player… I’m going to guess that the response was 99% Technics and 1% Fisher price. But there is another, that for the last 35 years has been the most fun you can have with vinyl without putting it on a turntable. I’m talking about the diminutive Beetle camper van shaped Soundwagon aka Vinyl Killer. I’ve got one (with Vestax logos on it), but now it’s time to say goodbye to the original Soundwagon, and say hello to the Record Runner — remade, reborn, and ready for retail.
There are words from Stokyo, the people behind the new model:
Once again the RECORD RUNNER ™ , originally known as the SOUNDWAGON is now available world wide! As the world’s smallest portable vinyl record player, the RECORD RUNNER ™ is for anyone who is a DJ, record collector or a simple music lover. It is a self-contained record player, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Just place it on any 33 1/3 rpm vinyl record and listen to its sound. Totally reengineered from the past 35-year-old model, the RECORD RUNNER ™ is ALL NEW! We have made drastic measures to improve the quality. They are hand built, assembled, and MADE IN JAPAN. Whether shopping for vinyl records, checking out the stash at your local garage sale or listening to your old man’ s disco records (or your own), the RECORD RUNNER ™ is a must. Amaze everyone with the RECORD RUNNER ™.
Product Release Date : Late September 2015 Retail: $79.99 USD
Color: Deep Purple / Lime Green
Catalog Number: RR-15PRPL / RR-15LMGR For More Information: www.recordrunner.jp
For those not in the know, the Record Runner is a battery-powered record player. You place vinyl on a flat surface, and the Record Runner spins on the vinyl, and pushes sound out through the frankly awful speaker. It’s not perfect, but it’s not designed to be. It’s fun, and that’s what you’re paying for.
I have an idea for Stokyo — do a version with Bluetooth. This will let it push the audio out through little speakers (ideal for bedrooms) or headphones (ideal for digging). Sure, it’ll go through a shedload of batteries, but it’ll be a valuable addition and bring it bang up to date.
Anyway, welcome back little VW spinny record player. We missed you.
GALLERY
