27-04-2016, 07:42 PM
Output transformer sourced on ebay, exactly the same size and off a 6V6 amp so its bang on.
Fitted, working. Frightening volume off the radio with a short aerial, lovely tone with that big speaker. Bags of "finger hum" on the gram input. The mute switch on the Garrard RC75A deck shorts the gram out until the pickup lands.
So to the deck. Belts are stretched but there is 1 new spare one in the cupboard underneath. Deck runs well, all 3 speeds, a bit temperamental about going into a cycle but lands the pickup in the correct places for 7", 10" and 12" records. Unfortunately the big 45 spindle has a broken release wedge, made of monkey metal, its cracked all over. Strange because the other one is fine. I may try to file a new one out of a block of ally or plastic but its a very complicated shape.
One silliness became apparent. The bent spindle is facing the wrong way! I released the 2 screws which hold it in the centre casting but it would not move. Left a soldering iron resting on the casting for a hour to get some expansion and managed to knock it out, catching the 5 tiny ball bearings on a magnet. Cleaned up and refitted it the right way round, but how did it get turned 180 degrees?
I have no records to try it with but I am assuming that all 3 cartridges will be faulty anyway, 1951 was a long time ago! Are these paw shaped cartridges fixable?Nice as it is, baring a few scratches, its taking up a lot of space, if anyone fancies an almost Beau Decca as a runner, very complete, please let me knew. I will not sell it to an audiophool stripper, sooner give it away at cost, which is very little.
Fitted, working. Frightening volume off the radio with a short aerial, lovely tone with that big speaker. Bags of "finger hum" on the gram input. The mute switch on the Garrard RC75A deck shorts the gram out until the pickup lands.
So to the deck. Belts are stretched but there is 1 new spare one in the cupboard underneath. Deck runs well, all 3 speeds, a bit temperamental about going into a cycle but lands the pickup in the correct places for 7", 10" and 12" records. Unfortunately the big 45 spindle has a broken release wedge, made of monkey metal, its cracked all over. Strange because the other one is fine. I may try to file a new one out of a block of ally or plastic but its a very complicated shape.
One silliness became apparent. The bent spindle is facing the wrong way! I released the 2 screws which hold it in the centre casting but it would not move. Left a soldering iron resting on the casting for a hour to get some expansion and managed to knock it out, catching the 5 tiny ball bearings on a magnet. Cleaned up and refitted it the right way round, but how did it get turned 180 degrees?
I have no records to try it with but I am assuming that all 3 cartridges will be faulty anyway, 1951 was a long time ago! Are these paw shaped cartridges fixable?Nice as it is, baring a few scratches, its taking up a lot of space, if anyone fancies an almost Beau Decca as a runner, very complete, please let me knew. I will not sell it to an audiophool stripper, sooner give it away at cost, which is very little.
Boater Sam.
