My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

jimothy · 8th Nov 2017, 2:02 pm

Hi All

As mentioned on the intros thread, with my parents moving house I have recently received back from their loft an old ALBA record player I bought as a child from a carboot sale, and am excited about returning it to fine condition.

I was about 12 when I bought it - I loved the changer mechanism. It was a bit tatty but working. Now after 20-odd years in the loft, it is a bit more tatty and less working!

Having read some of the really useful stickies above, I am fairly confident that it is a BSR 004a turntable.
I've also been watching some useful, and some notso, youtube videos which have been really great for understanding what the previously daunting gubbins inside the box are!
(favourite was a guy demonstrating freeing a stuck platter by applying heat with a hairdryer, and melting the rubber mat :idea)

I've placed some pics in a Photo Album here (hope that's the correct way to link to it!)

There's a bit of cosmetic damage to the casing.
The catches are a bit corroded but operational.
It is missing 2 feet.
The platter is firmly stuck.
And the stylus is missing (although as you see I found one rattling around beneath the turntable, LP/S ST15?)

So where to start?

I am grateful for any tips, and any additional information you could tell me about the machine.

In the meantime, I'm studying the excellent thread about restoring your old record player, and excited about getting it working again .

Looking forward to receiving any collective wisdom you can offer!

Jamie

Station X · 8th Nov 2017, 2:23 pm

I gave away one like that around 40 years ago.

It's transistorised. With any luck the electronics will be OK (check by touchng the part of the cartridge where the stylus fits) and you'll only have to sort out the mechanical side.

Edward Huggins · 8th Nov 2017, 6:21 pm

This is a stereo unit. The autochanger is a BSR C109 or C129. Release the transit screws, plug in the RH speaker, temporarily re-fit the old stylus, switch on and check both channels are working properly. Then remove the centre circlip from the centre spindle and lift the turntable off. The rubber idler wheel should engage with the motor pulley and platter inner rim when replaced. The ST15 stylus are still available to buy if needed. See how you get on.

Clydeuk · 8th Nov 2017, 8:34 pm

Be very careful will the seized platter. If you attempt to rotate it the centre spindle (which should be fixed) will rotate with it and will end up in the wrong position and the autochange will not work (records won't drop).

There have been a few threads about the best way to free the platter. The problem is the grease will be acting more like glue. Suggestions range from removing the spindle and using a soldering iron in the hole (not for too long though or you'll melt the plastic. The other one which has been recommended is to use hot water down the spindle hole (after removing the spindle). You'll have to remove the deck to do this safely. That is how I would approach it. Then it's a matter of cleaning off all the old grease and regreasing where needed.

On no account use WD40 anywhere. I've seen one of those youtube videos where someone sprayed WD40 everywhere. It will never work properly if you do that.

jimothy · 10th Nov 2017, 6:45 pm

All sounds promising.

I have two questions so far:

Q1: how do I remove the spindle? I saw on youtube a chap just giving to a firm tug and it came out. I have removed the circlip from the platter and given it a bit of a tug but the spindle is not willing to come out it seems..

Q2: How do you fit the stylus to the arm?

Thanks again!

'LIVEWIRE?' · 10th Nov 2017, 11:32 pm

The spindle on most autochangers simply pulls out*, independantly of the turntable. Only the latter is held by the circlip. As the platter (turntable) is stuck, follow the advice given by Clydeuk in post #4, and also read the 'sticky' threads about servicing autochangers at the head of this section. The stylus is fitted to the cartridge by gently pushing the rear end under the leaf spring at the rear, then twisting it into place, taking care not to damage the stylus whilst so doing, and ensuring that the front of the stylus assembly correctly locates between the two 'ears' at the front of the cartridge. The foregoing applies to most, if niot all, cartidges which use 'flip under' styli such as the ST15.
* In practice there is usually no need to remove the spindle, as the platter, once freed of dried grease, will pull off with the spindle in place.

jimothy · 4th Dec 2017, 11:50 am

Little update on my project:

Freed up the turntable with a drop of fresh oil and application of soldering iron to top and underside of the spindle - took a surprisingly long time to melt the gunk that was holding it solid. Cleaned it up with cotton buds and isoprop and re-oiled. Now spins smooth and free! Although the bearing beneath the spindle is a bit noisy - that will get some attention next.

I also replaced the old flex. It was in decent enough condition but the insulation was a bit thin I thought probably best to replace with a modern standard.

Cut the external speaker cable back a bit and re-soldered to the jack plug as the old contacts were a bit frayed and worn.

Gave the pots a dose of Servisol.

And replaced the feet courtesy of Russell and Sid at Retrospecialist.

I have it running, using the old stylus which I replaced to test before I open the new one, and it sounds actually pretty lovely - the main speaker is good, the external a bit crackly and drops out at lower volume; but its all working and the autochanger works perfectly. Very pleased.

So stage two plan will be to delve deeper in the mechanicals and dismantle, clean and lube so it's all de-fluffed and running nice and smooth too.

Then (probably much later) I'll look at giving the cabinet some attention.

Edward Huggins · 4th Dec 2017, 4:24 pm

Thanks for posting your update, we don't always get these!

As for the noisy platter bearing, use a good quality (e.g. Castrol) car grease, not oil.

What you call the "external speaker" is actually used for the RH channel of the stereo and this is fed by a separate amplifier. It might be a poor speaker connection, the balance control itself, a loose RH cartridge (these push-on) connector or a fault in the RH channel amplifier itself.

You'll find a stiff toothbrush really helpful when you come to clean the cabinet.

Good luck!

8th Nov 2017, 2:02 pm	#1
jimothy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Winchester, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 5	My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 Hi All As mentioned on the intros thread, with my parents moving house I have recently received back from their loft an old ALBA record player I bought as a child from a carboot sale, and am excited about returning it to fine condition. I was about 12 when I bought it - I loved the changer mechanism. It was a bit tatty but working. Now after 20-odd years in the loft, it is a bit more tatty and less working! Having read some of the really useful stickies above, I am fairly confident that it is a BSR 004a turntable. I've also been watching some useful, and some notso, youtube videos which have been really great for understanding what the previously daunting gubbins inside the box are! (favourite was a guy demonstrating freeing a stuck platter by applying heat with a hairdryer, and melting the rubber mat :idea) I've placed some pics in a Photo Album here (hope that's the correct way to link to it!) There's a bit of cosmetic damage to the casing. The catches are a bit corroded but operational. It is missing 2 feet. The platter is firmly stuck. And the stylus is missing (although as you see I found one rattling around beneath the turntable, LP/S ST15?) So where to start? I am grateful for any tips, and any additional information you could tell me about the machine. In the meantime, I'm studying the excellent thread about restoring your old record player, and excited about getting it working again . Looking forward to receiving any collective wisdom you can offer! Jamie Attached Thumbnails

8th Nov 2017, 2:23 pm	#2
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 21,288	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 I gave away one like that around 40 years ago. It's transistorised. With any luck the electronics will be OK (check by touchng the part of the cartridge where the stylus fits) and you'll only have to sort out the mechanical side. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.

8th Nov 2017, 6:21 pm	#3
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 This is a stereo unit. The autochanger is a BSR C109 or C129. Release the transit screws, plug in the RH speaker, temporarily re-fit the old stylus, switch on and check both channels are working properly. Then remove the centre circlip from the centre spindle and lift the turntable off. The rubber idler wheel should engage with the motor pulley and platter inner rim when replaced. The ST15 stylus are still available to buy if needed. See how you get on. __________________ Edward.

10th Nov 2017, 6:45 pm	#5
jimothy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Winchester, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 5	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 All sounds promising. I have two questions so far: Q1: how do I remove the spindle? I saw on youtube a chap just giving to a firm tug and it came out. I have removed the circlip from the platter and given it a bit of a tug but the spindle is not willing to come out it seems.. Q2: How do you fit the stylus to the arm? Thanks again!

10th Nov 2017, 11:32 pm	#6
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 The spindle on most autochangers simply pulls out, independantly of the turntable. Only the latter is held by the circlip. As the platter (turntable) is stuck, follow the advice given by Clydeuk in post #4, and also read the 'sticky' threads about servicing autochangers at the head of this section. The stylus is fitted to the cartridge by gently pushing the rear end under the leaf spring at the rear, then twisting it into place, taking care not to damage the stylus whilst so doing, and ensuring that the front of the stylus assembly correctly locates between the two 'ears' at the front of the cartridge. The foregoing applies to most, if niot all, cartidges which use 'flip under' styli such as the ST15. In practice there is usually no need to remove the spindle, as the platter, once freed of dried grease, will pull off with the spindle in place.

8th Nov 2017, 8:34 pm	#4
Clydeuk Hexode Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Liverpool, Merseyside, UK. Posts: 453	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 Be very careful will the seized platter. If you attempt to rotate it the centre spindle (which should be fixed) will rotate with it and will end up in the wrong position and the autochange will not work (records won't drop). There have been a few threads about the best way to free the platter. The problem is the grease will be acting more like glue. Suggestions range from removing the spindle and using a soldering iron in the hole (not for too long though or you'll melt the plastic. The other one which has been recommended is to use hot water down the spindle hole (after removing the spindle). You'll have to remove the deck to do this safely. That is how I would approach it. Then it's a matter of cleaning off all the old grease and regreasing where needed. On no account use WD40 anywhere. I've seen one of those youtube videos where someone sprayed WD40 everywhere. It will never work properly if you do that.

4th Dec 2017, 11:50 am	#7
jimothy Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Winchester, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 5	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 Little update on my project: Freed up the turntable with a drop of fresh oil and application of soldering iron to top and underside of the spindle - took a surprisingly long time to melt the gunk that was holding it solid. Cleaned it up with cotton buds and isoprop and re-oiled. Now spins smooth and free! Although the bearing beneath the spindle is a bit noisy - that will get some attention next. I also replaced the old flex. It was in decent enough condition but the insulation was a bit thin I thought probably best to replace with a modern standard. Cut the external speaker cable back a bit and re-soldered to the jack plug as the old contacts were a bit frayed and worn. Gave the pots a dose of Servisol. And replaced the feet courtesy of Russell and Sid at Retrospecialist. I have it running, using the old stylus which I replaced to test before I open the new one, and it sounds actually pretty lovely - the main speaker is good, the external a bit crackly and drops out at lower volume; but its all working and the autochanger works perfectly. Very pleased. So stage two plan will be to delve deeper in the mechanicals and dismantle, clean and lube so it's all de-fluffed and running nice and smooth too. Then (probably much later) I'll look at giving the cabinet some attention.

4th Dec 2017, 4:24 pm	#8
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,327	Re: My First Restoration Project: ALBA 452 Thanks for posting your update, we don't always get these! As for the noisy platter bearing, use a good quality (e.g. Castrol) car grease, not oil. What you call the "external speaker" is actually used for the RH channel of the stereo and this is fed by a separate amplifier. It might be a poor speaker connection, the balance control itself, a loose RH cartridge (these push-on) connector or a fault in the RH channel amplifier itself. You'll find a stiff toothbrush really helpful when you come to clean the cabinet. Good luck! __________________ Edward.