Vintage gramophone pick-ups - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

D.Finney · 9th Nov 2018, 1:07 pm

This is my collection of vintage electrical gramophone pick-ups (78rpm needle).

I guess they must date from the 1930's to 1950's. the top one is by Garrard the two middle ones by Gilbert and the bottom one by Rothermell.

Are there any Gramophone/Record Player experts out there who could tell me more about them? All comments welcome.

Ed_Dinning · 9th Nov 2018, 10:11 pm

Hi, they often contained a rubber suspension the went hard, result no sound. Easily fixed with some thin rubber tubing.
Many different types were made and often fitted to clockwork gramophones that could be connected to the pick up sockets of the "electric" radio.

Ed

RojDW48 · 10th Nov 2018, 12:17 am

I think it was the Garrard at the top I revived a few years back with lots of help from this forum. I'll point you at the thread if you are considering getting it going again.

D.Finney · 10th Nov 2018, 11:09 am

Thanks all for you help and advice.

AC/HL · 10th Nov 2018, 1:29 pm

The Rothermel is the odd one out, being crystal. Interesting to know if it suffers in the same way as the later crystal pickup cartridges.

D.Finney · 12th Nov 2018, 1:07 pm

Thanks again to all of you for your comments, I bought these very cheaply as a lot about 15 years ago and then forgot about them till recently.

PaulR · 12th Nov 2018, 3:44 pm

I have found that the Garrard rubbers always go solid but the HMV ones tend to survive better.

9th Nov 2018, 1:07 pm	#1
D.Finney Pentode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 147	Vintage gramophone pick-ups This is my collection of vintage electrical gramophone pick-ups (78rpm needle). I guess they must date from the 1930's to 1950's. the top one is by Garrard the two middle ones by Gilbert and the bottom one by Rothermell. Are there any Gramophone/Record Player experts out there who could tell me more about them? All comments welcome. Attached Thumbnails

9th Nov 2018, 10:11 pm	#2
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,195	Re: Vintage gramophone pick-ups Hi, they often contained a rubber suspension the went hard, result no sound. Easily fixed with some thin rubber tubing. Many different types were made and often fitted to clockwork gramophones that could be connected to the pick up sockets of the "electric" radio. Ed

10th Nov 2018, 12:17 am	#3
RojDW48 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,074	Re: Vintage gramophone pick-ups I think it was the Garrard at the top I revived a few years back with lots of help from this forum. I'll point you at the thread if you are considering getting it going again. __________________ '....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan)

10th Nov 2018, 11:09 am	#4
D.Finney Pentode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 147	Re: Vintage gramophone pick-ups Thanks all for you help and advice.

10th Nov 2018, 1:29 pm	#5
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: Vintage gramophone pick-ups The Rothermel is the odd one out, being crystal. Interesting to know if it suffers in the same way as the later crystal pickup cartridges.

12th Nov 2018, 1:07 pm	#6
D.Finney Pentode Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 147	Re: Vintage gramophone pick-ups Thanks again to all of you for your comments, I bought these very cheaply as a lot about 15 years ago and then forgot about them till recently.

12th Nov 2018, 3:44 pm	#7
PaulR Dekatron Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southport Lancashire, UK. Posts: 3,236	Re: Vintage gramophone pick-ups I have found that the Garrard rubbers always go solid but the HMV ones tend to survive better. __________________ Paul