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The Close N’Play Phonograph

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Retroist
Apr 23, 2014
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Back in my childhood days, I had a humble little record player that held a special place in my heart. It wasn't anything fancy - just a plain-looking plastic grey suitcase that my sister handed down to me. But to me, it was a treasure, and I carried it with me everywhere I went. There was something mesmerizing about watching the vinyl record spin around, creating music that captured my young imagination.

However, as much as I adored my record player, there was a minor drawback. It seemed inevitable that, at times, my curiosity got the better of me, and I would end up touching the delicate record or doing some other silly thing. It's a puzzling trait that I believe many kids share; an irresistible urge to fiddle with things that fades as we grow older and wiser. Perhaps it's a natural part of our learning process, as we eventually figure out to leave things be.

In contrast, the Close N'Play Phonograph, which I had heard about, appeared to be a stroke of brilliance. Unlike my record player, this innovative device required you to close the lid for the record to play. This not only minimized the risk of damaging the turntable arm but also prevented curious little fingers from meddling with the spinning vinyl out of sheer boredom. It sounded like a perfect solution for young explorers like me, ensuring that the delicate records remained safe from unintended mishaps.

One question that crossed my mind regarding the Close N'Play Phonograph was whether you could switch to a different song easily, or if you were stuck starting from the same place every time you loaded a new album. It seemed like a valid concern, as the prospect of being limited to a single track would make the experience a tad repetitive. Alas, I didn't have the opportunity to try out the Close N'Play myself, so I could only wonder about its functionality.

I'm quite curious to know if any of you had the pleasure of owning a Close N'Play Phonograph. If you did, I'd be thrilled if you could shed some light on how it worked. Was it as fantastic as it seemed, offering a safer and more enjoyable listening experience for young music enthusiasts? Your firsthand experiences could fill in the gaps in my knowledge and add more depth to the fascinating world of nostalgic gadgets like the Close N'Play Phonograph.


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