BSR Record Deck - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

MadRikXIV · 15th Apr 2017, 11:23 am

Hi people, I picked this rather old and filthy deck up at a car boot sale for a pound.

Looking at a possible cabinet build with it cleaned up and taking pride of place on top.

I can see it's a BSR, that much is clear, underneath, can see the motor, power cable that assume plugged into something else originally for power as that's no UK 3 pin, and sound out jacks, well, one, and one missing.

Curious as to the easiest and safest way of powering this up, and seeing if it still spins.

Planning on putting it in a hopefully decent case with built in speakers via various parts salvaged from around the house (I have a pre amp handy from my not quite as old 80s Panasonic turntable).

Edward Huggins · 15th Apr 2017, 12:14 pm

Welcome to this Forum. This is a BSR UA6 autochanger from 1955. The cartridge will not be suitable for playing newer LPs. That's assuming it still works!
To power this up you will need to fit a 13A plug with a 3A fuse to the lead with the little 2 pin plug on it, which you will need to remove. Ensure you put insulation tape over any other bare ended wires.
We can deal with the pick-up wiring later. Have you experience of using these old autochangers so you can test its functions? To test use an old 45 or 78.

wd40addict · 15th Apr 2017, 2:08 pm

This is the original version of the BSR UA6 used in record players such as the Pye Black Box and similar. In such players the mains was often supplied via the amplifier hence the small plug.

You refer to sound out jacks, but unless someone has rewired this deck and fitted a different cartridge it will be mono.

The motor support grommets on these tend to dissolve into goo so remove the turntable and check the condition of these and that the motor is free to turn before applying any power. Also ensure all cable insulation looks sound and earth the metalwork.

Special grommets are occasionally available, but standard grommets of the correct dimensions work fine.

Note the UA6 does not release pressure from the idler wheel when off so flats can develop leading to wow.

As a minimum you should initially power it via a RCCD and observe all normal precautions when dealing with mains electricity. See safety warnings elsewhere on this site.

Edward Huggins · 15th Apr 2017, 2:32 pm

The cartridge looks to be the original Acos Hi-G type and will be mono only, probably tracking at c.8 grams.

MadRikXIV · 15th Apr 2017, 4:44 pm

Cheers guys, I can see that the grommets are shot and just goo underneath, and a missing mount bolt on the motor.

The rest of the wiring looks solid and damage and corrosion free, apart from one plug missing on the stylus wires, probably left plugged into wherever it came from, which, I would look at replacing this for stereo output.maybe for stereo when I decide on my cabinet layout.

Fair bit of grime, and, wonder if it was used in a bird cage, there was a fair bit of 'Millet husks' under the turntable.

Last time I used a similar style deck would of been 35+ years ago when my dad 'converted' one into a condensed unit for me.

I will look at getting the motor secured, some grommets and see if it powers up before going further, everything seems to move ok, I can see the speed changer mechanism adjusting the height of the speed spindle on the rubber wheel, and the on off reject switch looks to work.

llama · 15th Apr 2017, 5:36 pm

An old trick to try out turntables when you don't have a suitable plinth to hand is to balance it on 3 Coke (or similar) cans with the transit screws going into the top hole.
But that's a little way down the line with those motor rubbers needing attention.
Graham

Edward Huggins · 15th Apr 2017, 5:51 pm

There was only ever one output plug/jack fitted to this as it is not designed as a stereo turntable - it was at least 3 years too early.
To convert it, you need a new stereo cartridge, then re-wire the tone arm for 4 signal wires and then to 2 output leads if you want to use it for stereo.
The tone arm on these was never designed for stereo use. Edward

AC/HL · 15th Apr 2017, 8:00 pm

It looks like a wander plug. Quite probably it went into the pickup sockets of the original radiogram chassis, where as Rik says, its twin remained. You'll need to replace it with whatever your preamp takes at some stage.

MadRikXIV · 21st Apr 2017, 10:37 am

Well I'm pleased to say the motor still runs once I put removed the grommets and checked replaced the plug.

I just need to fix the space between the idler drive and motor.

The idler sits to high at the moment/motor sits too low to make contact with all 3 speeds.

Been trying to find a picture of the motor/idler plate is mounted to the underside, but just can't find the angle that shows how.

Have metal spacers and currently going with from above: screw, washer, grommet, spacer tube in the motor holes, with the attached plate screwing to the base of the turntable via the 3 screws.

Think I need another spacer grommet after the washer, as tricky to tell how thick the originals where due to them being stuck to the top of the motor and the plate.

regentone001 · 21st Apr 2017, 11:51 am

There are two grub screws on the 3 speed motor pulley on this deck. Once loosened the pulley can be moved into the correct position for the idler to get the 3 speeds. Then tighten the grub screws again.

julie_m · 22nd Apr 2017, 5:04 am

Get it as near as you can by adding more rubber grommets and washers, before you adjust the pulley on the motor spindle.

dseymo1 · 22nd Apr 2017, 7:17 am

The original grommets had conical extensions on top, so the motor will sit lower on standard grommets. As Julie suggests, building them up will correct this. Personally, I'd mould extensions onto them using polyurethane, which is excellent at damping vibration.

Heatercathodeshort · 22nd Apr 2017, 8:52 am

A very well made and reliable record changer. Not suitable for use with 'modern' light weight pick ups of course but for general mono use 33/45 and 78 a classic gem and it WON'T damage your records! Hats off to BSR! John.

regentone001 · 22nd Apr 2017, 9:31 am

Years ago I put a G800 cartridge in one of these and despite my mates negativity and it won't work attitude, it worked extremely well.

MadRikXIV · 26th Apr 2017, 2:19 pm

Cheers guys, I padded it out with more Grommets, as was impossible to see the the thickness on the originals, and it selects the speeds as it should.

Need a replacement spring for the idler drive so when changing up it does move every time as the spring is a little soft now.

I do have a cartridge with stylus and outputs, which I removed from a broken Sony deck, planning on comparing cartridge weight and see if I can balance it in the arm.

Edward Huggins · 26th Apr 2017, 5:51 pm

What type of Sony cartridge is it? If it's stereo, you will need to rewire the arm or bridge the channels on it and use the 2 wires already in the arm. If it's a magnetic type of cartridge you will need to check the input sensitivity of the amplifier you are using. The BSR arm was not designed for stereo use. Also try shortening that spring on the idler drive.

MadRikXIV · 1st May 2017, 4:09 pm

Hi guys, it's a modern stereo tone arm, cartridge and needle.

Removing the cartridge from the arm, and making it the same weight as the other one, a bit of hot glue to the old mounting bracket and it fits inside the arm.

Downside is, after giving the underside a clean up, checking the motor for any dirt, the motor now ceases to function, checked the solder points on the switch, fuse, even out the switch wires together but nothing.

Currently swearing at it as had everything wired, but now no motor.

15th Apr 2017, 11:23 am	#1
MadRikXIV Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Northampton, Northants. UK. Posts: 5	BSR Record Deck Hi people, I picked this rather old and filthy deck up at a car boot sale for a pound. Looking at a possible cabinet build with it cleaned up and taking pride of place on top. I can see it's a BSR, that much is clear, underneath, can see the motor, power cable that assume plugged into something else originally for power as that's no UK 3 pin, and sound out jacks, well, one, and one missing. Curious as to the easiest and safest way of powering this up, and seeing if it still spins. Planning on putting it in a hopefully decent case with built in speakers via various parts salvaged from around the house (I have a pre amp handy from my not quite as old 80s Panasonic turntable). Attached Thumbnails

15th Apr 2017, 12:14 pm	#2
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,324	Re: BSR Record Deck Welcome to this Forum. This is a BSR UA6 autochanger from 1955. The cartridge will not be suitable for playing newer LPs. That's assuming it still works! To power this up you will need to fit a 13A plug with a 3A fuse to the lead with the little 2 pin plug on it, which you will need to remove. Ensure you put insulation tape over any other bare ended wires. We can deal with the pick-up wiring later. Have you experience of using these old autochangers so you can test its functions? To test use an old 45 or 78. __________________ Edward.

15th Apr 2017, 2:08 pm	#3
wd40addict Octode Join Date: May 2009 Location: Stevenage, Herts. UK. Posts: 1,518	Re: BSR Record Deck This is the original version of the BSR UA6 used in record players such as the Pye Black Box and similar. In such players the mains was often supplied via the amplifier hence the small plug. You refer to sound out jacks, but unless someone has rewired this deck and fitted a different cartridge it will be mono. The motor support grommets on these tend to dissolve into goo so remove the turntable and check the condition of these and that the motor is free to turn before applying any power. Also ensure all cable insulation looks sound and earth the metalwork. Special grommets are occasionally available, but standard grommets of the correct dimensions work fine. Note the UA6 does not release pressure from the idler wheel when off so flats can develop leading to wow. As a minimum you should initially power it via a RCCD and observe all normal precautions when dealing with mains electricity. See safety warnings elsewhere on this site. Last edited by wd40addict; 15th Apr 2017 at 2:23 pm.

15th Apr 2017, 2:32 pm	#4
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,324	Re: BSR Record Deck The cartridge looks to be the original Acos Hi-G type and will be mono only, probably tracking at c.8 grams. __________________ Edward.

15th Apr 2017, 4:44 pm	#5
MadRikXIV Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Northampton, Northants. UK. Posts: 5	Re: BSR Record Deck Cheers guys, I can see that the grommets are shot and just goo underneath, and a missing mount bolt on the motor. The rest of the wiring looks solid and damage and corrosion free, apart from one plug missing on the stylus wires, probably left plugged into wherever it came from, which, I would look at replacing this for stereo output.maybe for stereo when I decide on my cabinet layout. Fair bit of grime, and, wonder if it was used in a bird cage, there was a fair bit of 'Millet husks' under the turntable. Last time I used a similar style deck would of been 35+ years ago when my dad 'converted' one into a condensed unit for me. I will look at getting the motor secured, some grommets and see if it powers up before going further, everything seems to move ok, I can see the speed changer mechanism adjusting the height of the speed spindle on the rubber wheel, and the on off reject switch looks to work.

15th Apr 2017, 5:36 pm	#6
llama Octode Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Osyth, Nr Clacton, Essex, UK. Posts: 1,482	Re: BSR Record Deck An old trick to try out turntables when you don't have a suitable plinth to hand is to balance it on 3 Coke (or similar) cans with the transit screws going into the top hole. But that's a little way down the line with those motor rubbers needing attention. Graham __________________ Half my stuff is junk - trouble is, I don't know which half!

15th Apr 2017, 5:51 pm	#7
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,324	Re: BSR Record Deck There was only ever one output plug/jack fitted to this as it is not designed as a stereo turntable - it was at least 3 years too early. To convert it, you need a new stereo cartridge, then re-wire the tone arm for 4 signal wires and then to 2 output leads if you want to use it for stereo. The tone arm on these was never designed for stereo use. Edward __________________ Edward.

15th Apr 2017, 8:00 pm	#8
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,642	Re: BSR Record Deck It looks like a wander plug. Quite probably it went into the pickup sockets of the original radiogram chassis, where as Rik says, its twin remained. You'll need to replace it with whatever your preamp takes at some stage.

21st Apr 2017, 10:37 am	#9
MadRikXIV Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Northampton, Northants. UK. Posts: 5	Re: BSR Record Deck Well I'm pleased to say the motor still runs once I put removed the grommets and checked replaced the plug. I just need to fix the space between the idler drive and motor. The idler sits to high at the moment/motor sits too low to make contact with all 3 speeds. Been trying to find a picture of the motor/idler plate is mounted to the underside, but just can't find the angle that shows how. Have metal spacers and currently going with from above: screw, washer, grommet, spacer tube in the motor holes, with the attached plate screwing to the base of the turntable via the 3 screws. Think I need another spacer grommet after the washer, as tricky to tell how thick the originals where due to them being stuck to the top of the motor and the plate.

21st Apr 2017, 11:51 am	#10
regentone001 Heptode Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Coventry, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 519	Re: BSR Record Deck There are two grub screws on the 3 speed motor pulley on this deck. Once loosened the pulley can be moved into the correct position for the idler to get the 3 speeds. Then tighten the grub screws again.

22nd Apr 2017, 5:04 am	#11
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: BSR Record Deck Get it as near as you can by adding more rubber grommets and washers, before you adjust the pulley on the motor spindle. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

22nd Apr 2017, 7:17 am	#12
dseymo1 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK. Posts: 3,051	Re: BSR Record Deck The original grommets had conical extensions on top, so the motor will sit lower on standard grommets. As Julie suggests, building them up will correct this. Personally, I'd mould extensions onto them using polyurethane, which is excellent at damping vibration.

22nd Apr 2017, 8:52 am	#13
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: BSR Record Deck A very well made and reliable record changer. Not suitable for use with 'modern' light weight pick ups of course but for general mono use 33/45 and 78 a classic gem and it WON'T damage your records! Hats off to BSR! John.

22nd Apr 2017, 9:31 am	#14
regentone001 Heptode Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Coventry, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 519	Re: BSR Record Deck Years ago I put a G800 cartridge in one of these and despite my mates negativity and it won't work attitude, it worked extremely well.

26th Apr 2017, 2:19 pm	#15
MadRikXIV Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Northampton, Northants. UK. Posts: 5	Re: BSR Record Deck Cheers guys, I padded it out with more Grommets, as was impossible to see the the thickness on the originals, and it selects the speeds as it should. Need a replacement spring for the idler drive so when changing up it does move every time as the spring is a little soft now. I do have a cartridge with stylus and outputs, which I removed from a broken Sony deck, planning on comparing cartridge weight and see if I can balance it in the arm.

26th Apr 2017, 5:51 pm	#16
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,324	Re: BSR Record Deck What type of Sony cartridge is it? If it's stereo, you will need to rewire the arm or bridge the channels on it and use the 2 wires already in the arm. If it's a magnetic type of cartridge you will need to check the input sensitivity of the amplifier you are using. The BSR arm was not designed for stereo use. Also try shortening that spring on the idler drive. __________________ Edward.

1st May 2017, 4:09 pm	#17
MadRikXIV Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Northampton, Northants. UK. Posts: 5	Re: BSR Record Deck Hi guys, it's a modern stereo tone arm, cartridge and needle. Removing the cartridge from the arm, and making it the same weight as the other one, a bit of hot glue to the old mounting bracket and it fits inside the arm. Downside is, after giving the underside a clean up, checking the motor for any dirt, the motor now ceases to function, checked the solder points on the switch, fuse, even out the switch wires together but nothing. Currently swearing at it as had everything wired, but now no motor.