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Vintage Audio (record players, hi-fi etc) Amplifiers, speakers, gramophones and other audio equipment. |
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24th Oct 2019, 4:21 pm | #1 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Pylle, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 4
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OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
HELP,
I have recently acquired an old connessieur craftsman table. It has been in a cupboard for the last 30 years. I remember playing with it as a child, but doubt it has been used since. So I have this great idea to get a new plinth and get it playing again. I very quickly realised that this is beyond my skills (ie I can rewire a plug) and I need help, advise etc |
24th Oct 2019, 5:30 pm | #2 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,583
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
A very competent idler drive turntable which needs a substantial plinth plus a suitable tone arm. Although basically similar, there were at least three versions of the Connoisseur Craftsman made by AR Sugden. Some photos would help in identifying your particular model. The best approach in terms of testing depends on physical condition eg, missing parts, perished wiring etc. Again some photos would help. Well worth reviving in any event.
Alan |
24th Oct 2019, 6:21 pm | #3 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Pylle, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 4
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
OK So tried to attach a picture, this was my fathers and lets just say I am 50 next year!!
PS. I have an SME series II which came with the table |
24th Oct 2019, 8:40 pm | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,583
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
It's a Craftsman 2 (sometimes expressed as II) two speed turntable. The motor board looks substantial enough and has a cut out for the SME arm. Not sure about the arm currently fitted. It really shouldn't be that difficult to get it up and running. What specific concerns do you have? A photo of the underside would be useful.
Alan |
25th Oct 2019, 12:03 pm | #5 |
Octode
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Wallasey, UK.
Posts: 1,308
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
It would be useful to see a photo of the arm on the left of your photo too. Ideally, add one of the headshell showing the cartridge already fitted from beneath (by removing the headshell from the arm for the photo). They may both be good. The SME Series II is a good indicator of the quality of the original setup.
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27th Oct 2019, 12:14 am | #6 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
Not a lot to go on but I would hazard a nice cup of coffee that that's a Decca Deram tonearm creeping into the left of the pic. A very competent, basic arm.
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'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |
29th Oct 2019, 3:02 pm | #7 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Pylle, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 4
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
The "Decca" arm does not have any internal wires that I can see, but the hardshell does indeed come off, pictures below. The underside of the deck looks ok, which bodes well I hope.
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29th Oct 2019, 8:57 pm | #8 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
Yes - that's the Deram tonearm, fitted with the Deram cartridge, which was probably the best of all the ceramic cartridges. It would be a very suitable combination as is if you didn't want the fuss of fitting the SME (a very valuable tonearm by the way). Is pic 3 the wire poking out from beneath the tonearm pillar? If so it is fairly straightforward to get it connected. Commonly the 4 wires would be connected to a tag strip and thence to the amplifier with phono leads. Not too demanding if you can lay hands on a wire stripper, solder and a soldering iron. I can supply the tag strip and phono leads if you want to have a go. Have you tried the motor yet?
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'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |
30th Oct 2019, 3:15 pm | #9 |
Retired Dormant Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Pylle, Somerset, UK.
Posts: 4
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
No not tried the motor yet, not sure if it is AC 240v or DC and needing a transformer, and I am scared I am going to blow myself up!!
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30th Oct 2019, 3:56 pm | #10 |
Nonode
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire, UK.
Posts: 2,583
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
It'll be 240v AC. Little chance of explosion. Just make sure it spins freely with the platter removed and switch off immediately if it doesn't.
Alan |
30th Oct 2019, 5:15 pm | #11 |
Nonode
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 2,074
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Re: OK, so out of my depth with old Connisseur Craftsman
You appear to be not far away in sunny Somerset. If you are heading Bristolwards some time, feel free to get in touch - we could have a look at it together.
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'....don't go mistaking Paradise for that home across the road!' (Bob Dylan) |