Thanks, Bob and Walt for commenting on this, as it has some bearing on
a project of mine at this time: Does anyone know whether these same
considerations and needle choices apply to a 1936 Wurlitzer 412
Simplex juke box? It has a traditional early style electric pickup,
but is quite heavily weighted, especially up around the pickup
elements. I haven't checked the tracking force, but I'm sure it's
quite a bit heavier than the Capehart.
I have some Tungs-tone needles and may try them, but I believe the
suppliers sell sapphire tipped styli with the offset shank. I'm
afraid that such a hard material would damage the records (more than
usual, that is, in something that tracks so heavy).
Any insight into this would be most welcome.
Best,
Andy Baron
Santa Fe
On Jul 14, 2009, at 2:06 PM, Walt Sommers wrote:
Bob,
Do you know the approximate tracking mass of the Capehart pick up? I
am guess it is probably 25 to 40 grams? The RCA Chromium needles
would be a concern on the 10-50 or other Victor automatics that use
the #5 acoustic Orthophonic reproducer (tracking at a whopping 130
grams or so) but assuming that the Capehart's pickup is something
like 25 to 40 grams I can't imagine the RCA Chromium needles would
be an issue. I recall reading an RCA patent (which I can't
specifically call to mind right now) concerning the use of chromium
on the needles which briefly discussed the issue of the relatively
low mass of electrical pickups versus the higher mass of the
acoustic reproducers.
The Victor Soft or Full Tungs~Tone stylus would be ideal for the
Capehart as well as most of the early electrical pickups. I can't
say I would recommend the Extra Loud Tungs~Tone stylus simply
because they are quite aggressive. Others swear by them. Whatever
you choose, I would stay as far away from jeweled styli (sapphires,
diamonds, etc.) as possible. Sapphires and diamonds would be great
if only the designs of the early pickups were better.
I have a feeling I am in Dr. Bogantz's area of expertise
here...Perhaps he will jump in.
Walt
RBaumbach wrote:
Tungstone needles are probably the best choice for either the 10-50
or the Capehart, and were recommended by both manufacturers. In
the mid-thirties Capehart recommended the RCA Chromium needles, but
some collectors feel that these are hard on records. Both the
Tungstone and Chromium needles are still rather plentiful. There
is a more comprehensive discussion of needles on the bonus page for
the Capehart book (see page 5).
Contact me privately regarding the owner's manual and schematics.
Bob
On TuesdayJuly 14, 2009, at 10:11 AM, [email protected] wrote:
After many years, my 1937 Capehart 404G (serial number 10627E) is
now functioning & sounds great & is fun to watch as it changes
records. I have noticed quite a bit of "needle noise" in the
magnetic pickup when the volume is turned down even though the
pickup
has been restored. Is this endemic to a properly performing
Capehart as I suspect because all the doors to the record playing
compartment are sealed with rubber gaskets, presumable to contain
mechanical noise or does the pickup need further work? Also,
where can one obtain needles for playing large numbers of 78s
without being changed in the Capehart or Orthophonic Victrola 1050?
I have Mr. Baumbach's excellent book on the Capeharts without
which the repairman who usually works on 1950s & 1960s hifi gear
would have been completely at sea in working on the Capehart
changer but would like to obtain copies of the owner's manual &
schematics of the tuner & amplifiers.
Jim
Cartwright
Immortal
Performances
[email protected]
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