Is it possible / would it be easy to modify a hand-cranked victrola or phonograph to play 45 or 33rmp records?

Question

I've wondered about this for quite some time now and don't really know much about the players. Did they ever make crankers that played 33 or 45? Can it be easily modified to play at another speed?

Answer 1

Antiques have a higher value if they are preserved but other than that left untouched.

If you really have such an old unit, don't destroy it, preserve it or sell it to someone who will appreciate its value.

Answer 2

33 and 45 rpm records are pressed from vinyl plastic which is too soft to be played with an acoustic pickup without damage. if you ever handled an Edison 78 rpm disk, it is like ceramic, which is why they shattered easily.  the needle in the victrola is too fat to fit in the microgroove used for all 45 and 33 records. and the audio would sound very tinny as the RIAA equalization curve used for electrically recorded audio would emphasize the high frequencies. but yes it would be possible.