Record players have been around for over a century, providing music lovers with a classic way to enjoy their favorite tunes. Though modern technology has changed how most people listen to music, record players still hold a special place in the hearts of audiophiles. Their mechanical nature and vintage aesthetic make them a unique listening experience. Here are 97 riddles about record players to challenge your knowledge about these iconic devices.
Riddles about the history of record players
Let’s start with some riddles about the origins and evolution of the record player:
Riddle 1
I was invented in the 19th century to allow sound to be recorded and reproduced. Who am I?
Answer: The phonograph. Thomas Edison invented the phonograph in 1877, the first device that could record and play back sound.
Riddle 2
I was a famous Jazz Age entertainer who helped popularize the victrola player in the early 1900s. The machine was even nicknamed after me. Who am I?
Answer: Eldridge R. Johnson nicknamed the Victor Talking Machine Company’s gramophone the Victrola, after this famous opera singer.
Riddle 3
We were invented in 1948 by a German engineer and brought high-fidelity sound into the home. What are we?
Answer: The LP record and vinyl player.
Riddle 4
This MOTown superstar bought the rights to my likeness in the 1980s, sparking nostalgia and a vintage revival. Who am I?
Answer: The Polaroid camera. Andy Warhol was famous for taking Polaroids.
Riddles about record player parts
How well do you know the components that make up a record player? Try these riddles:
Riddle 5
I’m the rotating disk that holds the grooves. Your music plays as my needle traces those grooves. What am I?
Answer: The record or vinyl.
Riddle 6
I’m the arm that holds the tiny stylus which reads the record’s grooves. What am I?
Answer: The tonearm.
Riddle 7
I’m the little piece at the end of the tonearm that rides in the record’s grooves. What am I?
Answer: The stylus or needle.
Riddle 8
I’m the platform that spins the record. What am I?
Answer: The turntable or platter.
Riddle 9
I convert the vibrations of the stylus into electrical signals. What am I?
Answer: The cartridge or pickup.
Riddle 10
I take the signals from the cartridge and amplify them so you can hear the music. What am I?
Answer: The preamplifier.
Riddle 11
I control the turntable’s speed and power. You start me up to get the record spinning. What am I?
Answer: The motor.
Riddle 12
I’m the knob you rotate to cue up your music. What am I?
Answer: The pitch adjustment knob.
Riddles about record player models
How well do you know famous record player models throughout history?
Riddle 13
I was a suitcase-style portable record player popular in the 1950s. Who am I?
Answer: The Dansette Bermuda record player.
Riddle 14
I was a portable record player made by RCA that was popular in the 1960s. You could stack multiple records on my spindle. Who am I?
Answer: The RCA Victor Suitcase Portable record player.
Riddle 15
I’m a famous 1950s model made by Harman Kardon, known for my simple elegance and high-fidelity sound. Who am I?
Answer: The Harman Kardon Festival Dual record player.
Riddle 16
I’m a mid-century modern record console made by Grundig. I’m an iconic symbol of the atomic age. Who am I?
Answer: The Grundig Elektronik Pavilion record player.
Riddle 17
I’m a 1960s portable model made by V-M Corporation. I feature colorful and creative case designs. Who am I?
Answer: The V-M Portable record player.
Riddle 18
I’m a 1970s model by Marantz. Audiophiles love me for my high-quality turntable and amp. What’s my model name?
Answer: The Marantz TT-15S1
Riddles about vinyl records
Vinyl records are full of quirks – how much do you know about them?
Riddle 19
I’m the standard speed for an LP record. What am I?
Answer: 33 1/3 RPM or revolutions per minute.
Riddle 20
I’m the size of the hole in the center of a vinyl record. What am I?
Answer: One inch or 25mm.
Riddle 21
I’m the process of organizing songs into a specific order on a record. What am I?
Answer: Sequencing.
Riddle 22
I’m the term for how artists creatively use the two sides of an LP. What am I?
Answer: Side architecture.
Riddle 23
I’m the popping or clicking noise sometimes heard on vinyl records. What am I?
Answer: Surface noise.
Riddle 24
I’m a secret message etched into the dead wax or run-off groove of a vinyl record. What am I?
Answer: A runout groove message.
Riddle 25
I’m a one-sided record meant to be played at 78 RPM. DJs spin me for a vintage sound. What am I?
Answer: A shellac.
Riddles about caring for your record player
Keep your record player sounding its best with proper maintenance. Test your care knowledge:
Riddle 26
I’m the speed you should set your turntable to when changing records, to avoid damage. What am I?
Answer: Zero or stopped.
Riddle 27
I’m the recommended tracking force or weight for your stylus to avoid skips. What am I?
Answer: Between 1.5 to 3 grams.
Riddle 28
I’m the solution used to clean vinyl records to remove dust, dirt and static. What am I?
Answer: Record cleaning fluid.
Riddle 29
I’m the speed you should play a 78 RPM shellac record at. What am I?
Answer: 78 RPM.
Riddle 30
I’m the cloth placed on a turntable platter to protect records from scratches. What am I?
Answer: A turntable mat.
Riddle 31
I’m the kind of stylus used only a few times to avoid excess record wear. What am I?
Answer: A disposable stylus.
Riddles about record player troubleshooting
Try your hand at diagnosing common record player problems:
Riddle 32
My records play too slowly. I probably need to adjust what?
Answer: The turntable speed.
Riddle 33
My music plays at the wrong pitch. What part likely needs adjusting?
Answer: The pitch adjustment knob.
Riddle 34
My stylus keeps skipping. What may need to be replaced or adjusted?
Answer: The stylus/needle or the tracking force.
Riddle 35
My turntable doesn’t start spinning. What’s likely the problem?
Answer: The motor or drive belt.
Riddle 36
My music plays unevenly in one speaker. What may need to be cleaned or replaced?
Answer: The cartridge pins or RCA cables.
Riddle 37
I hear a faint humming or buzzing. What’s likely causing the interference?
Answer: Grounding issues or poor contacts.
Riddles about vintage and modern record players
How well do you know the difference between new and old turntables?
Riddle 38
I don’t have a built-in speaker, requiring an external amp system. I’m probably what kind of record player?
Answer: A vintage or retro style turntable.
Riddle 39
I likely use a delicate phono cartridge prone to tracking issues. What am I?
Answer: A vintage record player.
Riddle 40
I have modern features like Bluetooth connectivity and built-in speakers. What am I?
Answer: A contemporary turntable.
Riddle 41
I require an analog to digital converter or dedicated phono preamp. What kind of player am I?
Answer: A turntable without a built-in preamp.
Riddle 42
I’m likely to have an AT3600 cartridge. What kind of record player am I?
Answer: A modern entry-level turntable.
Riddles about record player brands
How well do you know famous turntable manufacturers?
Riddle 43
I’m a famous Japanese brand started in the early 1900s. My Technics SL-1200 is a classic DJ turntable. Who am I?
Answer: Panasonic.
Riddle 44
I’m a high-end German brand whose Transrotor and Pro-Ject models are popular with audiophiles. Who am I?
Answer: Clearaudio.
Riddle 45
I’m an American audio equipment company known for turntables like the AR and Horizon models. Who am I?
Answer: Acoustic Research or AR.
Riddle 46
My Dual turntables with synchronous motors were prized in the 1960s and 70s. What company am I?
Answer: United Audio Products
Riddle 47
I started as a radio manufacturer in the 1920s and made iconic mid-century models like the Explorer. Who am I?
Answer: Zenith.
Riddle 48
My high-end Sequoia model from the 1970s is now a collectors’ item. What audio company do I represent?
Answer: Bang & Olufsen.
Riddles about record player accessories
How familiar are you with add-ons and extras for turntables?
Riddle 49
I make it easy to digitize your vinyl collection. What device am I?
Answer: A USB turntable or phono preamp.
Riddle 50
I protect your records from dust and scratches. What accessory am I?
Answer: Record sleeves.
Riddle 51
I keep your vinyl clean and static-free. What tool am I?
Answer: A carbon fiber brush.
Riddle 52
I help isolate your turntable from vibrations. What device am I?
Answer: An isolation platform or stand.
Riddle 53
I ensure you select the right spot on the record with a nudge. What useful item am I?
Answer: A cue lever.
Riddle 54
I make it easy to play 7-inch 45 RPM records. What accessory am I?
Answer: A 45 RPM adapter.
Riddles about vinyl terminology
How savvy are you about the lingo music fans use when talking records?
Riddle 55
I’m a vinyl enthusiast who loves searching for rare records. What do you call me?
Answer: A crate digger.
Riddle 56
I’m a narrow groove on a vinyl record that divides songs. What am I called?
Answer: A lock groove.
Riddle 57
I’m the audio quality impacted by dust, scratches or warping on a vinyl record. What am I?
Answer: Fidelity.
Riddle 58
I’m a thin record that became popular in the 1980s. Hip-hop DJs love spinning me. What am I?
Answer: A 12-inch single.
Riddle 59
Audiophiles strive to get the best version of me when shopping for vinyl. What am I?
Answer: Fidelity or sound quality.
Riddle 60
DJs manipulate me to transition between different songs. What part of a turntable am I?
Answer: The platter.
Riddles about record player culture
Test your knowledge of record player trivia and pop culture:
Riddle 61
I’m a term for someone who collects vinyl records as an investment for profit. What am I called?
Answer: A flipper.
Riddle 62
In Netflix’s Stranger Things, I’m the character who always wears headphones and loves music. Who am I?
Answer: Jonathan Byers.
Riddle 63
I’m a movie about two record store employees who go to extremes to attend a famous concert. What cult comedy am I?
Answer: High Fidelity.
Riddle 64
In the Harry Potter books, I’m the device that plays The Monster Book of Monsters record to calm it. What am I?
Answer: A gramophone.
Riddle 65
I’m a TV series about a father who opens a record store in San Francisco. What show am I?
Answer: Vinyl.
Riddle 66
In Little Shop of Horrors, Rick Moranis sings about how much he loves me. What am I?
Answer: His vinyl collection.
Riddles about record player sounds
Can you match the sound to the record player part that makes it?
Riddle 67
Skkkkrrrrrrrrit. What part of the record player am I?
Answer: The needle scratching against the record.
Riddle 68
Bmmm bmmm bmmm. I’m the rhythmic vibration of the motor. What am I?
Answer: The turntable motor.
Riddle 69
Ttk tk tk tk tk. I’m the sound of the needle hitting a lock groove. What am I?
Answer: The runout groove.
Riddle 70
Vvvrrrrrvvvvvrrrrrrr. I’m the static sound when you dust your records. What am I?
Answer: The carbon fiber brush.
Riddle 71
Plop. I’m the soft thud of a record being placed on the platter. What am I?
Answer: The sound of placing or dropping a record.
Riddle 72
Tik tik tik. I’m the noise heard when cuing up a vinyl record. What am I?
Answer: The sound of the cue lever.
Riddles about vinyl shopping
How much do you know about digging for records in the wild?
Riddle 73
I’m a section in a record store dedicated just to me. What am I?
Answer: The used vinyl section.
Riddle 74
Audiophiles say I’m the best place to browse for albums in good condition. Where am I?
Answer: A record store vs. a thrift shop.
Riddle 75
I’m the term for someone who loves bargain hunting for cheap vinyl. Who am I?
Answer: A thrifter.
Riddle 76
I’m the action of judging a vinyl record’s quality by its cover. What am I called?
Answer: Grading by cover.
Riddle 77
I’m the best lighting for checking a record’s condition. What am I?
Answer: Natural daylight.
Riddle 78
Collectors say I’m the hardest place to find vintage vinyl. Where am I?
Answer: A garage sale.
Riddles about playing records
Do you know the dos and don’ts of spinning vinyl?
Riddle 79
I’m bad for your stylus and records. You should avoid doing me too often. What am I?
Answer: Backcueing or reversing the platter.
Riddle 80
I’m the recommended way to handle vinyl records, to avoid scratches. What am I?
Answer: Holding by the edges.
Riddle 81
Experts recommend replacing me after every 50 hours of play. What am I?
Answer: A stylus.
Riddle 82
Audiophiles say I’m the worst thing for your vinyl’s sound quality. What should you avoid?
Answer: Direct sunlight.
Riddle 83
For best audio quality, experts recommend doing this after listening to 5-6 albums. What is it?
Answer: Cleaning the stylus.
Riddle 84
I’m debris that can gunk up your stylus as you play records. You should brush me off. What am I?
Answer: Dust and dirt.
Riddles about vinyl storage
How well do you know best practices for storing your record collection?
Riddle 85
I’m the temperature that experts recommend keeping your vinyl storage space. What am I?
Answer: Around room temperature or 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Riddle 86
I’m the ideal humidity level to prevent vinyl warping in storage. What percentage should I be?
Answer: Around 50%.
Riddle 87
Experts don’t recommend storing me vertically long-term. What am I?
Answer: Vinyl records.
Riddle 88
I’m the type of shelf that’s preferred for storing vinyl. What am I made of?
Answer: Wood, metal, or plastic.
Riddle 89
I’m the cleaning method experts recommend before storing vinyl. What should you do?
Answer: Clean the records.
Riddle 90
Audiophiles warn to never store vinyl in me. What should you avoid?
Answer: Direct sunlight.
Riddles about record player value
Do you know what impacts a turntable’s worth?
Riddle 91
I’m a famous record player designer whose name can increase value. Who am I?
Answer: Dieter Rams.
Riddle 92
If I’m the original owner of a vintage turntable, it’s worth more. Who am I?
Answer: The first owner.
Riddle 93
Collectors will pay more for me if I’m in mint condition in my original box. What am I?
Answer: A vintage record player.
Riddle 94
My mechanisms improve sound quality, making me more valuable. What turntable feature am I?
Answer: Quartz-locked speed control.
Riddle 95
Having all my original parts boosts a vintage turntable’s collector value. What am I?
Answer: A retro record player.
Riddle 96
Working models of me from the 1960s can sell for thousands today. What famous turntable am I?
Answer: The Technics SL-1200.
Riddle 97
I’m proof that the vinyl revival is here to stay. Annual sales of me have grown over the past 15 years. What am I?
Answer: Vinyl records.
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles about the wonderful world of record players? Though the technology has evolved over the past century, vinyl continues to be a timeless way to enjoy music. Records provide a hands-on, retro listening experience unmatched by digital formats. As vintage turntables gain popularity once more, challenge your fellow music lovers with these record player riddles!
