Columbia Model 229B 78 rpm Record playing unit

[signalman4]

Hi,

I have just acquired a Columbia 229B 78 rpm turntable and looking for some advice and help in restoring it to working order.

Inside the base, I found a large grommet that has obviously come off something. Does anyone have any idea where it is supposed to be?

The motor makes a buzzing noise and the auto stop mechanism appears to be worn away and doesn't work but that's not a problem at the moment. I guess the buzzing might be due to a lack of oil in the bearings and also the suspension rubber bushes gone hard.

The coil in the pickup head seems to be intact but I'm puzzling over a little tag board that is providing a junction point for the pickup wiring from the head and the outgoing signal cable. The tagboard also carries a couple of resistors but what is the purpose of these?
Underneath the turntable there is a screw and washer that appears to connect these resistors but can some somebody tell me what they are used for?

I have seen it mentioned that the rubber suspension in the pickup head goes hard causing a very low output.

How does the pick up head come apart. There are some hard bits of filler that could hide screw heads. Do I just dig these out?

Having got it apart, what is best type of rubber to use to replace the old hard pieces.

Does anyone know if there is any official service data or any help and hints from the very experienced members on here would be most welcome.


Cheers.

[Radio Fixer]

Here is a model that is earlier than yours: https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/columbia_228.html

If you go on the BVWS site and publications you can download two articles on restoring HMV models which I belive are similar to the Columbia.

Search under Tempest

BVWS Bulletin Volume 37, Number 3 (Autumn 2012)

BVWS Bulletin Volume 34, Number 4 (Winter 2009)

Gary

[signalman4]

Hi Gary,
Many thanks for your reply and links to your articles in BVWS bulletins.

I didn't realise that you could download past issues on the website and it a wonderful resource.

Is there an overall searchable index of all the articles?

Best regards,
Alf

[Radio Fixer]

Hello Alf

As far as I know what you see it what you get. But its a pretty good resource as is. You could contact a BVWS commitee member?

You cant download any Bulletins younger than about 5 years as the Society wants to sell off excess copies they had printed.

Gary

[signalman4]

Hi Gary,

I think I need to open up the pick-up head and replace the rubber parts as the output is next to nothing and very low.

The positions of the screws that hold it together appear to have been filled with some hard compound that I assume will need drilling out.

Here is a photo of the underside of my MagicNotes pick-up so please     can you tell me if I need to drill all 5 of them.

[Radio Fixer]

The 4 in a line screws hold the pole pieces and can be left alone for a first look.

You only need to remove the central bolt to take off the cover. Best tool to remove the hard filler is a Dremel type with a small dentil burr.

Gary

[signalman4]

Hi Gary,
Thanks for the info.

Best wishes,
Alf

[Radio Fixer]

When you have a look and if it needs new rubbers I can help.  Have the tube and a good rubber pad.  I shant be doing anymore 

   

Gary

[signalman4]

Hi Gary,
Thank you for your kind offer.
I've now removed the sealing compound covering the central screw and removed screw and looked inside the blunderbuss pickup. It doesn't have a hum-bucking coil on top.
The rectangular rubber on top looks quite good, pink and flexible but I cant really judge the condition of the sleeves on the pivots without taking it completely apart.
It seems quite stiff to move the needle from side to side so maybe those rubbers should be replaced as recommended in your article.
The cable is in similar condition to yours where the rubber drops off where it is not covered by the cotton braiding so probably worth replacing the wire in the pickup and the external cable.
If I were to connect a scope across the pickup output, have you got an approximate figure of how many millivolts p-p I could expect upon playing a loud record?
Your advice is welcomed on all of the above as you have been there and done it!

Best regards,
Alf

[Radio Fixer]

Hello Alf

I dont remember taking any figures for that. It played loud and clear into an EMI radio so prob felt no need.

Maybe able to make a measurement some time later next week as very busy until then. Let me know if you can wait until then.

Gary