Vintage record player identification

[Turbo Overlord]

Hello all

This is my first post and i am trying to identify a record player that was my late fathers
I am trying to find make, model and what deck it has.
It has no branding that i can see and seems to have been modified over the years.
It does have label under the deck serial number X4V 124818 ?
I powered it up at the weekend slowly on the variac and it all works kinda.
I am in the process of a clean up for my daughter who has just discovered vinyl.
I need a few spares but no idea what it is. Hope someone can help

Regards Lee

['LIVEWIRE?']

Pictures of the Deck might help. Most manufacturers used either BSR or Garrard Decks, though a few used Collaro. There is nothing on the cabinet which tells me what make the player is, though other members may be able to help ID it. New spares for anything of this age are long since obsolete, with the possible exception of pickup cartridges and styli.

[Station X]

The OP started two separate threads which have been merged.

[electrogram]

It looks home built or made from a kit, perhaps amp, case and deck were bought and home assembled.The deck is Staar.

[Nickthedentist]

I would second that. I love the very "rock and roll" styling, though the quality of construction is somewhat ropey.

Be VERY careful indeed from an electrical safety point of view. Some of it looks pretty potentially lethal.

And as we were saying in the recent Fidelity thread, the fact that it's got two transformers doesn't necessarily mean that the chassis is isolated from the mains.

Please tell us the valve type numbers.

Nick.

[Herald1360]

The deck looks reminiscent of French offerings of the late '50s.


https://www.radiomuseum.org/r/sonnec..._monaural.html


Has a similar look, though it obviously isn't the actual machine.


Electrogram's theory sounds promising too; the electronics looks decidedly British in origin.


There seem to be two valves in the amplifier and a decent sized speaker so it should give a reasonable account of itself when sorted.



What are the valve types? (It's unlikely they'll be defective but the info will give a good idea of the actual circuit.)



There are a few (cheap) components that should be replaced but also some rather more expensive ones that may need to be replaced. The output transformer for instance looks rather sorry for itself though it may be OK and just need a cleanup.



Can you identify the pickup cartridge? Even if it works it's probably mono only and not suitable for stereo records you may want to play in stereo afterwards! A closeup picture would help here.


What is your level of expertise and what test equipment / tools do you have available?

[Turbo Overlord]

Thanks for the input guys
I think the valves are mullard EF91 and EL84
Would i be able to still get a stylus for the deck do you think ?

[Turbo Overlord]

I have all tools available, multimeter, scope although automotive, soldering station.
I have a basic under standing of circuits, ohms law etc. Not had much to do with valves yet.
I am a mechanic / engineer by trade. So more used to 12/24v and straight mains side of life.
I might get shouted at by some but I have stripped of all the fablon covering and just sanded and stained the case. My daughters choice, but that's how she wanted it. I'm just glad to see it working and a having a home with her. It so nearly got the bin. Obviously rewired, correctly earthed and fused first.
Some pictures of the valves and stylus.

[paulsherwin]

Originally Posted by electrogram

It looks home built or made from a kit, perhaps amp, case and deck were bought and home assembled.The deck is Staar.

I agree, it looks distinctly home made. This is a bit puzzling as presumably the OP would be aware if his father had built it, though I suppose it could have been acquired secondhand.

The record deck is very unusual in a UK record player.

The stylus fits in the cartridge which is at the end of the playing arm. You can probably find a new stylus if you can work out what cartridge is fitted. However, the cartridge itself may have failed in which case you will need to fit a new cartridge/stylus assembly. This may be easy or difficult, depending on the design of the record deck arm.

That is a mono cartridge and can't be used to play stereo records without damaging them.

[electrogram]

The cartridge is an Acos, possibly a 59, it probably says on it

[electrogram]

Maybe not a 59, might be gp67

[newlite4]

Definitely home made. Output transformer is of an earlier design and the knobs and lamp are of communications or military origin. The deck is of the type once offered in PW or WW and the selenium rectifier is rather oversized for the amplifier and is too large to fit on the chassis. I like the use of bath chain on the grill. Quite a charming looking object, very unlike commercial offerings of the period.
Neil

[Turbo Overlord]

It says SJ1 on the 78 and SJ2 on the LP

[Audio1950]

The cartridge is an Acos GP67, and is strictly mono only. If it is still working, then replacement styli are available, but take into consideration that it will wreck stereo records, so should be replaced if you intend to play stereo pressings.

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by newlite4

I like the use of bath chain on the grill.

Yes, makes a plain speaker grille look very "jukebox-style".

[Turbo Overlord]

Well the thing works and plays ok as is, should there anything i should be thinking about before long term use ?
I'm going to tidy the chassis up secure all the transformers, wiring and stuff. stylus
Any other suggestions ?

[Nickthedentist]

Definitely use an RCD socket/plug/adapter and a 1A fuse in the plug.

And change the coupling capacitor between the two valves to avoid stressing the output transformer. You're hoping for 0v with respect to chassis on pin 2 of the EL84; http://www.r-type.org/static/baseb9a.htm I'll let the others tell you more...

N.

[newlite4]

I would be tempted to change out the two silver capacitors "under" the chassis Lee one of which would be the grid coupler for the EL84, the other could be the input coupler for the cartridge. These would be getting a bit weary now so worth changing.
Neil

[Herald1360]

That valve combination also points to homebrew or possibly kit origins. EF91 is not an obvious choice for an audio amp front end! I wonder whether it's used as a pentode or strapped as a triode in this role?


Anyway, thanks for info on equipment etc- it helps a lot with pitching the technical level of replies/suggestions.

['LIVEWIRE?']

Apart from tidying up the wiring, one component I'd check, and possibly replace, is the selenium rectifier - if the HT is low, this is a prime suspect.