Dansette Major component values

[Terry]

A 'record player' was essentially a portable device, which the Black Box most definitely was not!

The Bush SRP31, on the other hand, was, with a push-pull amplifier and tweeter, was. It also had a plug and socket arrangement at the rear which combined left and right channels but also allowed an optional additional amplifier in a cabinet identical to the front end of the SRP31 to be connected for stereo.

[Old Sparky]

Having sorted the amplifier, I set about checking the cartridge, only to find the wiring to it had been bodged. The red & black wires in the arm were too short to reach the pickup, so two short lengths of thicker stranded wire had been loosely connected them, simply by twisting the ends together with the originals. The wires to the PU tags were likewise only twisted. As a stereo cartridge was 'fitted' loosely to a metal mounting clip with too small a diameter nut & bolt, I'll have to re-make the connections, fit a stylus, then check that the cartridge works. No doubt we've all had things which have either been bodged or had missing parts , making what should have been a simple straightforward job, a PITA. Goes with the territory, I guess!!

[Old Sparky]

Further developments - I realized that the mounting clip was missing it's plastic spacer when looking at the identical mounting bracket in my Silvertone player. The Stylus lady sells them complete for £7 or so, but is out of stock at the moment, so the job is ongoing and ongoing...!

[Old Sparky]

The player is now working, with the only remaining prob;em being a squeak when it runs, either due to the idler wheel or the T/T bearing. It sounds quite good for what it is, with only a very low hum level at max. volume. I've fitted the X5M cart. & mounting clip from my Silvertone Revalation (or should that be Revalation Silvertone?), and that drives the single EL84 in the Dansette to quite a high volume, at least on single 45s and the one 78 I've played on it. Now I have to source another X5M or similar c/w mounting bracket, so I'll no doubt be looking at a minimum of £30-£40 for a new cartridge. I have an unbranded stereo ceramic cartridge, which, with the correct bracket, could be used, if it works, provided I can source a stylus which fits it. If I post a picture of the unbranded cartridge on this forum, and maybe also on UKVRRR, maybe someone can identify it?

[Old Sparky]

           
Here are some pictures of the (supposed) BSR Cartridge in question, which has no makers name or model no. anywhere on it, though I assume it to be one of the SX5 series.

[Old Sparky]

A member of UKVRRR suggests that the cartridge is a C1, so Ill source a stylus and mounting bracket for that, then fit it to my Silvertone, where it's output should be more than adequate. The squeak in the Dansette was due to the top motor bearing being dry. A Judicious application of light sewing machine oil cured that problem, so all's well that ends well with the Major.