Deccalian 88

[CambridgeWorks]

Hi Bill, can you post a picture of the handle you want, together with a ruler alongside and also the exact dimensions you need. I have several used ones from old test gear.
Rob

[bill knox]

Hi Robin and Jamie

Photo's when I am finished will be here on the forum

Robin

OK, you wanted a picture of the strap, so here goes, well I think that the picture is there, it's the one under this entry, as you can see the strap has to
be 8" long as any shorter then you cannot get you fingers under the strap to pick the record player up.

Hope to see you at next years rallies.

Regards

Bill

[CambridgeWorks]

Hi Bill,
Only one near is this one in picture. The shiny flat strip either end is a fraction under 5/8" wide. Overall it is 8 1/4" long. Plastic material and looks unused.
If any use, pm me with your address and I will post it.
Rob

[bill knox]

Hi Robin

That looks like it will fit a treat

I cannot remember your address, except you live in Spalding
if you can put your address down in a PM would it be OK to collect Wednesday possibly morning but I will fit in with you.

Regards

Bill

[CambridgeWorks]

I will post first class first thing tomorrow rather than a visit. I have to go to PO in morning anyway. Pm me your address please.
Rob

[bill knox]

Hi All

I have made a motorboard and ordered the "rexine" to cover it, and then comes the fun bit, I now have 2 RC121 record decks and have made one from the pair, It looks like it will run OK but until I get the deck installed who knows, we will have to see.

It will almost be photo time then.

Regards

Bill

[bill knox]

Hi Robin


many thanks, the handle arrived today and it is a perfect fit, again many thanks

See you soon I hope

Regards

Bill

[bill knox]

Hi All

It looks as though you are right about the cartridge output, I tried some Ronette cartridges that gave 180Mv o/p and they were driving the amp into severe distortion

I am trying out a Ronette cartridge at the moment but it is a bit tinny, at this stage I do not want to alter the equalisation, I feel I need a cartridge with an output of 100Mv to 120Mv.

Regards

Bill

[CambridgeWorks]

Hi Bill,
Thanks for letting me know. Pleased to be able to help.
Rob

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by bill knox

Hi All

It looks as though you are right about the cartridge output, I tried some Ronette cartridges that gave 180Mv o/p and they were driving the amp into severe distortion

I am trying out a Ronette cartridge at the moment but it is a bit tinny, at this stage I do not want to alter the equalisation, I feel I need a cartridge with an output of 100Mv to 120Mv.

Regards

Bill

As previously avised by me, your very best option is the famous Decca DERAM ceramic that gives 50mV.

[Chris R]

Hello Bill

Edward is probably right, but the Deram is quite hard to come by.
The BSR SC12M is more easily found and more reasonably priced. That is what I use in mine and the results are excellent ( max. volume with no distortion).
With regard to the "tinny" sound, this can often be the result of too low an input impedance. Ideally it should be at least 1 megohm.

Chris R

[bill knox]

Hi Chris

Well, today I bit the bullet and bought a SC14m, so we must wait and see what it goes like.

Regarding the "tinny" response that I have at the moment, while I was playing around with amplifier I unsoldered the lead going to the plug that goes into the input of the amplifier and I have this nagging feeling that I resoldered the connection onto the other pin, It only shows a 2 pin connection but in reality it is a 3 pin connector, it will mean taking the amplifier out but that takes a few minutes, I will let you know what the difference is if any.

[Edward Huggins]

Is this another inaccuracy - what is an SC14m?

[bill knox]

Well it is time for the pictures of the 88 that I have been restoring

Regards

Bill

[Chris R]

Excellent Bill

It's good to see another of these fine record players restored.
I see that you even have the original Bulgin mains plug. Had to fit an IEC one to mine.

Chris

[bill knox]

Hi Chris

When you fitted your head did you have to redo the stylus weight and if so how do you do it, I have looked everywhere for my Garrard weight checking device but I cannot find it anywhere

Regards


Bill

[Techman]

If you've changed the head or cartridge then you must check and reset the tracking weight to avoid record, stylus and cartridge damage - you'll need your weight checking device. You should periodically check the tracking weight anyway regardless of any component changes just to be on the safe side, although most of us probably don't. On a spring compensated arm like that one it must be set at platter mat level and not on top of a stack of records as this will give an incorrect reading. Looks like a nice record player!

[Chris R]

Hello Bill

I have one of those inexpensive digital stylus balances, which can be bought on eBay for a few pounds. It does appear to be pretty accurate (better than my old Garrard one).
As suggested, it should be set at turntable level as the effect of the tension spring reduces with stylus height.

Regards

Chris

[bill knox]

Hi Chris


Well I just cannot find the weight tester, so I have bought another one, but you know what that means, I will now find my original one.

Regards

Bill