Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

ElvisOnTour · 14th Jun 2018, 6:06 pm

Hello Everyone. I have recently bought an old Dansette record player. The arm was snapped and screws removed. I'm trying to find out as much as I can so I can go about getting it up and running. It's dark blue and cream but I don't really have a clue on year or actually confirming the model as I think it's a Bermuda style. Anyway I would love to know more about it and maybe some instructions and recommendations on bringing it back to life oils etc

. If anyone can direct me to what and where for cleaning and restoration I would be over the moon. Many Thanks. Elvis...

AC/HL · 14th Jun 2018, 7:36 pm

Hi Elvis (there must be a joke in there somewhere!) and welcome.
Good places to start, if you haven't seen them anyway, are: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=71164 and https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=75401.
For anything specific, the search box above will likely find an answer (or two)

ElvisOnTour · 14th Jun 2018, 11:41 pm

AC/HL Many thanks for the links looks like its something to do with the Idler Drive as the speed is a tad slow I have tried cleaning it up but looks like I need some proper cleaner to sort it out and to re grease a lot of the player.

Anyway I'm made up to say I've fixed the tone arm and it's actually playing records and seems that all the electrics work it's just not had any play for about 20 odd years as the lady I bought it off had it in a loft for that long.

Many thanks again I'm glad I've joined The UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration site..

Edward Huggins · 15th Jun 2018, 10:48 am

You're very lucky that the cartridge is still working! These usually fail by now. Also it's a
stereo-compatible type, so even better. In terms of cleaning the idler wheel (and also the inside of the turntable rim) you will need isopropyl alcohol for ths. Your player is a Dansette "Bermuda" mk1 - a late version from 1964/65. Don't use anything lie WD40 when you lube the mechansim, Sewing Machine oil.

ben · 15th Jun 2018, 11:32 am

The slow speed is unlikely to be the idler. You need to strip and relubricate the motor especially the lower bearing.

Herald1360 · 15th Jun 2018, 11:38 am

Just in case, would you tell us what valves (if any) the player uses?

Reason for question is that, depending on the valve lineup, there may be a couple of components (relatively cheap capacitors) which need to be checked and/or replaced to avoid the risk of damage to more expensive parts like valves and transformers.

At least one version of the Bermuda series is like this......

Edward Huggins · 15th Jun 2018, 12:01 pm

The OP's Bermuda uses a single EL84 in a mains-isolated chassis.

Herald1360 · 15th Jun 2018, 8:53 pm

Unlikely to be a problem, then, unless the tone correction cap is anode-ground connection.

crackle · 15th Jun 2018, 10:38 pm

The variable tone correction is connected from anode to ground when the tone control is at max treble cut e.g. zero.
There is also a fixed tone correction cap, anode to cathode then ground via a 120 ohm resistor.
Might be wise to change both if they are paper wax types.

Mike

ElvisOnTour · 17th Jun 2018, 3:10 pm

Many thanks everyone it was a real labour of love to strip down and I thought I was winning until I put volume button back on which had a small metal tight clip which has now snapped the button off so I'm now looking a for a genuine replacement the plastic just crumbled so no super glue is going to work.

I have also found a small spring which I have no clue what it's off. I will post a photo to see if anyone has any clues. Thanks for the replies.

Station X · 17th Jun 2018, 10:05 pm

I think you'll find the the spring goes under the tone arm and is used to set the tracking weight.

ElvisOnTour · 17th Jun 2018, 10:15 pm

Many thanks Station X I did wonder if it was from there as it had a slot for that black bit. I used a tiny piece of card to just tidy up the wires as they where hanging off the tone arm...

ElvisOnTour · 17th Jun 2018, 10:19 pm

a few snaps from when i first got it and what I have done as it needed a really deep clean

ElvisOnTour · 17th Jun 2018, 10:23 pm

a few more photos of what ive cleaned up

ElvisOnTour · 17th Jun 2018, 10:28 pm

thats all the cleaning but in the process ive caused another tiny hole at the front and as I said before just after the photo I took I switched it on and the volume control knob just snapped off so now its back the drawing board lol.. Anyway Thanks very much for all the info I hope you can tell me which one I have what year exactly it is and whats the next step on getting this Record player going.. Thanks again for all your help...

ElvisOnTour · 17th Jun 2018, 10:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Huggins

You're very lucky that the cartridge is still working! These usually fail by now. Also it's a
stereo-compatible type, so even better. In terms of cleaning the idler wheel (and also the inside of the turntable rim) you will need isopropyl alcohol for ths. Your player is a Dansette "Bermuda" mk1 - a late version from 1964/65. Don't use anything lie WD40 when you lube the mechansim, Sewing Machine oil.

Yes everything from the record player was inside the box I think someone had a go at the wires and cut the leads to the aux for the stereo output or input on the back. Its been the best 10 pound I have ever spent as its turned into a great little fixer upper..

Techman · 17th Jun 2018, 10:42 pm

I hope you've managed to re-fit that counterbalancing spring back under the arm and that you've re-set the tracking weight with a stylus balance? Without that spring fitted the stylus will track at the full weight of the arm and will ruin your records and also possibly the stylus suspension within the cartridge.

Silicon · 17th Jun 2018, 10:48 pm

Try to route the cables and wires away from the EL84 valve.

It might melt the insulation.

Edward Huggins · 18th Jun 2018, 8:46 am

The tracking weight should be 5 grams. I would take the card you inserted out of the arm and just push the wires up inside. That lattice grille will be very brittle by now, so be very gentle with any future cleaning. The reason the wires to the rear sockets have been cut is an attempt to reduce hum. Those cables were hum inducing and hardly anyone ever used them anyway. Well at £10.00, this was an exceptionally good buy - just see the silly prices these are now fetching. This "Bermuda" version was/is very popular, they've even made a modern clone of it.

ElvisOnTour · 18th Jun 2018, 12:05 pm

WOWZA YES JUST CHECKED ON EBAY. Now I never even new they where so expensive I remember playing with one of these record players when I was a kid and spinning the wheel to make the tone arm move back and forth. They look something like the fisher price record players lol.. Thanks for the info on the tone arm I've only played a couple of very old records on the player so will be connecting the tone arm spring today. The lady who sold me The Dansette had a grand piano full of records, she had used to top of the piano as you lift the lid to place all her vinyls in all in order. I spent half the day looking through her david bowie picture vinyls. She had a great collection but was unwilling to part with any of the records which I don't blame her as some of that collection would be worth a penny or two now.. all wires are nicely tucked away from the valve as you said it gets very hot in there Silicon thanks for all the details Edward Huggins and to everyone else who has posted many thanks. I hope to hear from you all again soon thanks for taking the time to have a look.. Elvis..

14th Jun 2018, 6:06 pm	#1
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Hello Everyone. I have recently bought an old Dansette record player. The arm was snapped and screws removed. I'm trying to find out as much as I can so I can go about getting it up and running. It's dark blue and cream but I don't really have a clue on year or actually confirming the model as I think it's a Bermuda style. Anyway I would love to know more about it and maybe some instructions and recommendations on bringing it back to life oils etc . If anyone can direct me to what and where for cleaning and restoration I would be over the moon. Many Thanks. Elvis... Attached Thumbnails

14th Jun 2018, 7:36 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Hi Elvis (there must be a joke in there somewhere!) and welcome. Good places to start, if you haven't seen them anyway, are: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=71164 and https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=75401. For anything specific, the search box above will likely find an answer (or two)

14th Jun 2018, 11:41 pm	#3
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. AC/HL Many thanks for the links looks like its something to do with the Idler Drive as the speed is a tad slow I have tried cleaning it up but looks like I need some proper cleaner to sort it out and to re grease a lot of the player. Anyway I'm made up to say I've fixed the tone arm and it's actually playing records and seems that all the electrics work it's just not had any play for about 20 odd years as the lady I bought it off had it in a loft for that long. Many thanks again I'm glad I've joined The UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration site..

15th Jun 2018, 10:48 am	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. You're very lucky that the cartridge is still working! These usually fail by now. Also it's a stereo-compatible type, so even better. In terms of cleaning the idler wheel (and also the inside of the turntable rim) you will need isopropyl alcohol for ths. Your player is a Dansette "Bermuda" mk1 - a late version from 1964/65. Don't use anything lie WD40 when you lube the mechansim, Sewing Machine oil. __________________ Edward.

15th Jun 2018, 11:32 am	#5
ben Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain / Wirral, UK Posts: 7,498	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. The slow speed is unlikely to be the idler. You need to strip and relubricate the motor especially the lower bearing. __________________ Regards, Ben.

15th Jun 2018, 11:38 am	#6
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Just in case, would you tell us what valves (if any) the player uses? Reason for question is that, depending on the valve lineup, there may be a couple of components (relatively cheap capacitors) which need to be checked and/or replaced to avoid the risk of damage to more expensive parts like valves and transformers. At least one version of the Bermuda series is like this...... __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

15th Jun 2018, 12:01 pm	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. The OP's Bermuda uses a single EL84 in a mains-isolated chassis. __________________ Edward.

15th Jun 2018, 8:53 pm	#8
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Unlikely to be a problem, then, unless the tone correction cap is anode-ground connection. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

15th Jun 2018, 10:38 pm	#9
crackle Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Basildon, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,100	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. The variable tone correction is connected from anode to ground when the tone control is at max treble cut e.g. zero. There is also a fixed tone correction cap, anode to cathode then ground via a 120 ohm resistor. Might be wise to change both if they are paper wax types. Mike

17th Jun 2018, 3:10 pm	#10
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Many thanks everyone it was a real labour of love to strip down and I thought I was winning until I put volume button back on which had a small metal tight clip which has now snapped the button off so I'm now looking a for a genuine replacement the plastic just crumbled so no super glue is going to work. I have also found a small spring which I have no clue what it's off. I will post a photo to see if anyone has any clues. Thanks for the replies. Attached Thumbnails

17th Jun 2018, 10:05 pm	#11
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. I think you'll find the the spring goes under the tone arm and is used to set the tracking weight. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

17th Jun 2018, 10:15 pm	#12
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Many thanks Station X I did wonder if it was from there as it had a slot for that black bit. I used a tiny piece of card to just tidy up the wires as they where hanging off the tone arm...

17th Jun 2018, 10:19 pm	#13
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. a few snaps from when i first got it and what I have done as it needed a really deep clean Attached Thumbnails

17th Jun 2018, 10:23 pm	#14
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. a few more photos of what ive cleaned up Attached Thumbnails

17th Jun 2018, 10:28 pm	#15
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. thats all the cleaning but in the process ive caused another tiny hole at the front and as I said before just after the photo I took I switched it on and the volume control knob just snapped off so now its back the drawing board lol.. Anyway Thanks very much for all the info I hope you can tell me which one I have what year exactly it is and whats the next step on getting this Record player going.. Thanks again for all your help... Attached Thumbnails

17th Jun 2018, 10:42 pm	#17
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. I hope you've managed to re-fit that counterbalancing spring back under the arm and that you've re-set the tracking weight with a stylus balance? Without that spring fitted the stylus will track at the full weight of the arm and will ruin your records and also possibly the stylus suspension within the cartridge.

17th Jun 2018, 10:48 pm	#18
Silicon Nonode Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Coulsdon, London, UK. Posts: 2,163	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. Try to route the cables and wires away from the EL84 valve. It might melt the insulation.

18th Jun 2018, 8:46 am	#19
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,328	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. The tracking weight should be 5 grams. I would take the card you inserted out of the arm and just push the wires up inside. That lattice grille will be very brittle by now, so be very gentle with any future cleaning. The reason the wires to the rear sockets have been cut is an attempt to reduce hum. Those cables were hum inducing and hardly anyone ever used them anyway. Well at £10.00, this was an exceptionally good buy - just see the silly prices these are now fetching. This "Bermuda" version was/is very popular, they've even made a modern clone of it. __________________ Edward.

18th Jun 2018, 12:05 pm	#20
ElvisOnTour Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 15	Re: Hi Newbie to Dansette Record Player. WOWZA YES JUST CHECKED ON EBAY. Now I never even new they where so expensive I remember playing with one of these record players when I was a kid and spinning the wheel to make the tone arm move back and forth. They look something like the fisher price record players lol.. Thanks for the info on the tone arm I've only played a couple of very old records on the player so will be connecting the tone arm spring today. The lady who sold me The Dansette had a grand piano full of records, she had used to top of the piano as you lift the lid to place all her vinyls in all in order. I spent half the day looking through her david bowie picture vinyls. She had a great collection but was unwilling to part with any of the records which I don't blame her as some of that collection would be worth a penny or two now.. all wires are nicely tucked away from the valve as you said it gets very hot in there Silicon thanks for all the details Edward Huggins and to everyone else who has posted many thanks. I hope to hear from you all again soon thanks for taking the time to have a look.. Elvis..