And if it has an idler wheel between the motor's rotating shaft and the
turntable edge, its actual size is not critical. You can substitute a
rubber O ring. However, a little internet searching will turn up places
that will replace the idler's rubber with new to the same size as original.
Ron L
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On
Behalf Of Andrew Baron
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2012 8:08 PM
To: Antique Phonograph List
Subject: Re: [Phono-L] Anyone know an early electric phono repair man?
You're welcome Edward.
The rubber idler wheel can sometimes be reconditioned -softened and
surface-dressed with a chemical. If it has a notable flat spot (from
decades resting against the inside of the turntable rim under tension), it
will need to be replaced. When these get hard it transfers all kinds of
noise to the platter which then acts like a diaphragm to magnify the noise.
The motor board, if the motor is bolted directly to it, then acts like a
sound board, further amplifying the rattle.
The original stylus might have been a metal alloy. One such was called
"Osmium", which would give more plays than an ordinary steel needle. It
could also have been a jewel-tipped metal shank.
Electric Admirals from that era with no radio are pretty rare.
The repairs are pretty straightforward. Best of luck, Andrew
On Sep 2, 2012, at 5:42 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Andrew,
Thank You for taking the time to respond as you did, with all that
helpful information! I guessed aright that if the symptoms were
described, someone who knows them would indicate a prognosis. I think
that since these machines are fairly rare, and yet when working
properly play records with a lovely, iconic sound, they should be
restored. They're easier on the old records than a Victrola, also, if
you like to play them a lot, as I do. I have a great GE phonograph,
with an AM radio, that I would estimate to have been available in the
40s, extrapolating from your description of this Admir al.
The original stylus must be gone. I got it with a standard steel
needle in it. And yes, the garbled music was from the record. There
is no radio with this unit, it only plays records.
I'll wait and see if anyone in the area responds, but appreciate your
making yourself available. I used to know someone in the antique
radio club that came down to the Salem, Sounds of Nostalgia show, but
it's been awhile.
I've lost touch. It would be nice to know who's doing this now.
All the Best,
: )
Edward
In a message dated 9/2/2012 3:01:52 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
Hi Edward ~
Your Admiral is more likely late pre-war; ca. 1939 to 42, or early
post-war; ca. 1946-1947.
The symptoms you describe are typical of this technology when it
ages, and
are:
Hardened rubber on the idler wheel (turntable noise);
Dead electrolytic capacitors, two to three of these will be found in
need of replacement (loud hum and garbled sound). This is a job for
a soldering iron, and the correct types and polarity will be needed.
These are available.
If when you say "the music sounds garbled" you mean music from a
record and not from a built-in radio, then it's a small miracle that
your crystal cartridge might actually be good. 99% of these are
found dead or substantially diminished in unrestored phonographs of this
era.
The fact that there's a set screw for the stylus indicates that yours
still has the crystal cartridge. These can be rebuilt with a new
element if needed (some of the distortion can be from the cartridge),
or replaced with a more reliable type of cartridge and stylus.
The unit may need some other minor work. Usually motor bearings,
idler wheel arbor& bushings and platter bearings need de-gumming and
new lubrication, and if it has a changer, these usually need some
attention as well. On the electronic side, the power cord may be
brittle if it's original and certain of the "paper" capacitors will
likely benefit from replacement as these get electrically leaky and can
also contribute to distortion.
I don't know who in Portland works on antique radios, but I know you
can find someone through the radio collector community out there or a
museum.
If that fails I restore these types of items but you would incur
shipping charges in addition to the usual parts and labor.
Good luck with this.
Andrew Baron
Santa Fe
On Sep 2, 2012, at 2:26 PM, [email protected] wrote:
Greetings Phellow Fonoteers,
Can anyone recommend a repair man for an electric-powered,
78-player, hopefully in the Portland, Oregon area? I have an
Admiral tabletop
that's
likely from the 1930s. It has some interesting Art Deco features,
and
has a
thumb screw at the head of the tone arm for changing needles. The
turntable
makes enough noise to stampede the cattle, and when the tubes warm
up
it
hums very loudly, and I fear it will frighten the peasants who have
no
way of
appreciating what manner of sinister experiments are going on here.
Also,
the music sounds garbled. I suspect it has an electrical short
going
on
but this isn't something I know a lot about, but I don't want to
awaken
my
creation prematurely, or burn our castle down.
Anyway, if you know somebody, possibly an antique radio man, I'll
call
him
or her forthwith.
Many Thanks,
: )
Edward
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