Dansette conversion back to record player - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Debussy · 14th Jul 2018, 12:30 pm

Hi

I bought a Dansette which has been turned into an iPod player, not very successfully as the audio is quite tinny.

Can you get replacement turntables? Nothing on eBay as they are generally sold complete.

Advice appreciated!

llama · 14th Jul 2018, 2:00 pm

Hi and welcome.
Yes, turntables turn up from time to time here and on ebay etc. It would be nice to know which turntable is correct for your cabinet - is the original model name/number still marked on it? Is the original amplifier still present or has that gone in the MP3 player conversion?
Furthermore, how's your electronics/soldering/mechanical experience?
Lots of help available here, especially for anyone wanting to learn!
Graham

ms660 · 14th Jul 2018, 2:04 pm

Looking at Google pics, the Tempo looks similar, the Tempo had a Garrard Autoslim deck, my first thought would be to abandon and stick it on Ebay.

Lawrence.

leslie5555 · 14th Jul 2018, 2:52 pm

I agree with Lawrence, in my opinion you would be better off buying a complete Dansette that is in need of restoration. Restoration projects can be found at a reasonable price.

Edward Huggins · 14th Jul 2018, 3:03 pm

Yes, this looks like it was originally a Tempo reord player. It will need a Garrard "Autoslim" deck, a stereo-compatible cartridge (very expensive), a suitable valve amplifier and possibly a loudspeaker if the orignal has been replaced. This will all cost you all far more than what you may think. And you will have to safely wire it all together. I suggest you sell it as it is on ebay wherein the cabinet might be useful to a collector. I'm afraid you have a bought gimmick too far!

paulsherwin · 14th Jul 2018, 4:01 pm

I agree with the others. If some herbert has removed the deck and amp then it will be a major job to restore it to its original state, and certainly not a job for a beginner. I would sell it on, or maybe upgrade it to be a decent MP3 player with FM radio, bluetooth and a good amp module and power supply. The hardware to do this is available for next to nothing on eBay from China, and it will be much easier than turning it back into a record player.

Sideband · 14th Jul 2018, 5:33 pm

I suspect the amp has gone as well since only one knob seems to be fitted.....Why do people do this?

David G4EBT · 14th Jul 2018, 5:55 pm

Strewth - it looks like what was once a Dansette Bermuda with a nice cabinet and original legs.

In excellent working condition they typically fetch £500 - £595 from Dansette Products Ltd:.

https://www.dansette.com/shop

It's a bit like applying Nitromors to a Chippendale chair and giving it a lick of Ronseal to freshen it up and to make it look more 'state of the art'.

Oh well - it's no concern of mine, but people who do things like that ought to have a restraining order slapped on them.

tracypaper · 19th Jul 2018, 4:04 pm

It was a Tempo, the Bermuda has a white plastic speaker grill at the front.
Gaz

Radio Wrangler · 19th Jul 2018, 4:51 pm

I agree with the advice to stick it on ebay

Where I don't agree is on buying another Dansette!

Pick another make of record player. Dansette were at the bottom end of the market, selling cheapies to youngsters with limited funds. Nowadays they fetch prices right at the top end of the market due to lots of people reminiscing about one they had xx years ago. So rather ironically you should be able to get a better quality player for less money.

If you want a record player-shaped player all well and good, but the real bargains are in good quality Japanese hifi gear from the 70s and 80s. It's just about being given away and can be a lot better than a one-box player.

David

AC/HL · 19th Jul 2018, 8:54 pm

It has some value, as a replacement cabinet for a poor example. Which is the donor, and which the recipient is a matter for negotiation, but as the OP hasn't returned it's hypothetical.

14th Jul 2018, 12:30 pm	#1
Debussy Diode Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1	Dansette conversion back to record player Hi I bought a Dansette which has been turned into an iPod player, not very successfully as the audio is quite tinny. Can you get replacement turntables? Nothing on eBay as they are generally sold complete. Advice appreciated! Attached Thumbnails

14th Jul 2018, 2:00 pm	#2
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player Hi and welcome. Yes, turntables turn up from time to time here and on ebay etc. It would be nice to know which turntable is correct for your cabinet - is the original model name/number still marked on it? Is the original amplifier still present or has that gone in the MP3 player conversion? Furthermore, how's your electronics/soldering/mechanical experience? Lots of help available here, especially for anyone wanting to learn! Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

14th Jul 2018, 2:04 pm	#3
ms660 Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cornwall, UK. Posts: 13,454	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player Looking at Google pics, the Tempo looks similar, the Tempo had a Garrard Autoslim deck, my first thought would be to abandon and stick it on Ebay. Lawrence.

14th Jul 2018, 2:52 pm	#4
leslie5555 Heptode Join Date: May 2015 Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK. Posts: 692	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player I agree with Lawrence, in my opinion you would be better off buying a complete Dansette that is in need of restoration. Restoration projects can be found at a reasonable price.

14th Jul 2018, 3:03 pm	#5
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player Yes, this looks like it was originally a Tempo reord player. It will need a Garrard "Autoslim" deck, a stereo-compatible cartridge (very expensive), a suitable valve amplifier and possibly a loudspeaker if the orignal has been replaced. This will all cost you all far more than what you may think. And you will have to safely wire it all together. I suggest you sell it as it is on ebay wherein the cabinet might be useful to a collector. I'm afraid you have a bought gimmick too far! __________________ Edward.

14th Jul 2018, 4:01 pm	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,946	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player I agree with the others. If some herbert has removed the deck and amp then it will be a major job to restore it to its original state, and certainly not a job for a beginner. I would sell it on, or maybe upgrade it to be a decent MP3 player with FM radio, bluetooth and a good amp module and power supply. The hardware to do this is available for next to nothing on eBay from China, and it will be much easier than turning it back into a record player.

14th Jul 2018, 5:33 pm	#7
Sideband Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Croydon, Surrey, UK. Posts: 7,572	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player I suspect the amp has gone as well since only one knob seems to be fitted.....Why do people do this? __________________ There are lots of brilliant keyboard players and then there is Rick Wakeman.....

14th Jul 2018, 5:55 pm	#8
David G4EBT Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Cottingham, East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 5,761	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player Strewth - it looks like what was once a Dansette Bermuda with a nice cabinet and original legs. In excellent working condition they typically fetch £500 - £595 from Dansette Products Ltd:. https://www.dansette.com/shop It's a bit like applying Nitromors to a Chippendale chair and giving it a lick of Ronseal to freshen it up and to make it look more 'state of the art'. Oh well - it's no concern of mine, but people who do things like that ought to have a restraining order slapped on them. __________________ David. BVWS Member. G-QRP Club member 1339.

19th Jul 2018, 4:04 pm	#9
tracypaper Octode Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 1,234	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player It was a Tempo, the Bermuda has a white plastic speaker grill at the front. Gaz

19th Jul 2018, 4:51 pm	#10
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,874	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player I agree with the advice to stick it on ebay Where I don't agree is on buying another Dansette! Pick another make of record player. Dansette were at the bottom end of the market, selling cheapies to youngsters with limited funds. Nowadays they fetch prices right at the top end of the market due to lots of people reminiscing about one they had xx years ago. So rather ironically you should be able to get a better quality player for less money. If you want a record player-shaped player all well and good, but the real bargains are in good quality Japanese hifi gear from the 70s and 80s. It's just about being given away and can be a lot better than a one-box player. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

19th Jul 2018, 8:54 pm	#11
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Dansette conversion back to record player It has some value, as a replacement cabinet for a poor example. Which is the donor, and which the recipient is a matter for negotiation, but as the OP hasn't returned it's hypothetical.