HMV Record deck problems - Page 3 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Newgirl2013 · 31st Mar 2020, 10:04 am

Hi Edward
I'm detirmined to have it working properly
Ian seems to know what he's doing
I will keep everyone informed
Sharon

brymac · 31st Mar 2020, 11:03 am

Oh - isn't that RC-100 amazing!! But I think I have enough problems with the deck in my HMV (see earlier in this thread!!)

Newgirl2013 · 4th Apr 2020, 12:53 pm

Just a thought could someone let me have a pic of the autochanger with the turntable removed, I need to look at the motor drive

Newgirl2013 · 5th May 2020, 2:18 pm

Hi Edward
I'm detirmined to have it working properly
Ian seems to know what he's doing
However he's had my HMV since March 14th and he still hasn't finished it
I would not recommend anyone to send anything to Norwich Restore

Newgirl2013 · 5th May 2020, 2:23 pm

Hi everyone
Well my HMV/EMI Autochanger has been dispatched to Norwich to see if Norwich-Restore can work miracles on it
However after nearly two months he still hasn't finished it
I wouldn't encourage anyone to send anything to Norwich Restore

Techman · 5th May 2020, 2:58 pm

I'm not surprised. I was waiting to see if there could be some sort of miracle repair that this chap could do for an affordable price.

Remember, I've personally worked on this model autochanger in the past and I can honestly say that it wouldn't be possible to do a repair for a price that would be sensible if you were in business to cover your time and also make a profit. If I remember rightly, it's the rubber drive part that causes the problem and needs to be completely re-made/replaced. I would guess that the repair chap perhaps hasn't worked on one of these before and didn't quite know what he was letting himself in for, so don't be too hard on him.

Station X · 6th May 2020, 9:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newgirl2013

Hi Edward
I'm detirmined to have it working properly
Ian seems to know what he's doing
However he's had my HMV since March 14th and he still hasn't finished it
I would not recommend anyone to send anything to Norwich Restore

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newgirl2013

Hi everyone
Well my HMV/EMI Autochanger has been dispatched to Norwich to see if Norwich-Restore can work miracles on it
However after nearly two months he still hasn't finished it
I wouldn't encourage anyone to send anything to Norwich Restore

https://yellow.place/en/norwich-restore-norwich-britain

There are some rather scathing comments about Norwich Restore in this thread. I have no connection with this company. With the country in lock down it wouldn't be surprising if restoring a player and shipping it back to the customer took longer than usual.

What arrangement did you reach with the restorer? Have you contacted him regarding the delay?

Edward Huggins · 6th May 2020, 10:09 am

All I would add to this is that this EMI Autochanger will be fiendishly difficult to repair. And especially in the sourcing of parts if a donor model is not to hand. I would far rather take on a BSR, a Garrard or even an over-engineered Collaro than one of these! Perhaps it may have been better not to have accepted this for repair, but we'll wait and see.....

Techman · 6th May 2020, 1:55 pm

There's probably no one in the world left alive that actually worked on these decks when they were originally in general use.

The repair chap says on his website that he first learned electronics in the mid 70s, so he's younger than me, as I did my training in the early 70s, and even I don't remember ever seeing any of these decks until around a decade ago, when I was asked to look at one for someone due to the revival in interest these things. In that particular case the answer was to replace it with a Garrard RC75 and keep the old EMI deck as a historical artifact wrapped up and stored in the large empty space in the bottom of the gram cabinet. The EMI deck did in the end work after a fashion, but the autochange cycle was unreliable and the top part of the spindle needed re-making, so better to forget it and fit a Garrard.

I think the chap didn't know what he was taking on with that deck and I bet he's never worked on one before. Also, a couple of months isn't a long time if you're trying to keep the price down and messing with it in between other jobs when you get a spare moment.

The only other advice I would give to the chap is to sort out the typos and spelling errors on the front page of that website - we all do it, but it looks bad on an important front page like that - get someone to proof read it first!

Heatercathodeshort · 6th May 2020, 7:23 pm

I can only refer you to my post 33. It took me a very long time to make and re-cut that drive drum/pulley. These decks were a bit odd at the best of times being made by EMI themselves.

I would agree that the good old BSR UA series are incredibly reliable changers and served us very well. The problem is, no parts are available for the EMI and they are difficult to fabricate.
The only reason I tackled the one at the museum was that it is part of a 1948 massive HMV television/Radio and record player with a good history. I would never tackle another one due to the time consumed and the frustration of the job.

I hope you reach a conclusion with this but if you don't, remember it's only an old record player and there are still huge numbers of them around. Regards, John.

Newgirl2013 · 10th Jul 2020, 11:44 am

Oh dear, the HMV has just been returned to me unrepaired,
He couldn't repair it
This HMV belonged to my Grandfather and has great sentimental value to me
Please can anyone repair it for me or does anyone know anyone who can, it would mean everything to me
Thanks very much
Sharon

brymac · 10th Jul 2020, 11:53 am

Can you just remind me what the model number is please??

Edward Huggins · 10th Jul 2020, 12:12 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newgirl2013

Oh dear, the HMV has just been returned to me unrepaired,
He couldn't repair it
This HMV belonged to my Grandfather and has great sentimental value to me
Please can anyone repair it for me or does anyone know anyone who can, it would mean everything to me
Thanks very much
Sharon

I'm quite surprised that your Repairer took this on. Sadly, I kind of predicted this unfortunate outcome. There will be few remaining that would take this on, but I urge you to keep trying!

Newgirl2013 · 10th Jul 2020, 12:24 pm

Can't remember the model number but I can let you have a pic

Newgirl2013 · 10th Jul 2020, 12:44 pm

Hi Edward
Yes I will keep trying
Another alternative is to find another EMI restored Deck same model
The HMV means everything to me,
My Grandfather and I were very close,
We spent many a happy evening playing records on the EMI
He left me the EMI Record Player in his will in 1961

brymac · 10th Jul 2020, 1:11 pm

OK - I am working on an HMV 1604 and (long story!!) have ended up with 3 decks for it!

Once I've finished rebuilding it, there will be two decks on offer. They are similar, but not identical, to yours (photo attached).

But - it will be some time (months) before this project is completed!!

Newgirl2013 · 10th Jul 2020, 1:42 pm

Hi
Sadly that deck will be too big for the cabinet
I do have that model that I've restored
However let me have pics when they're ready
Thanks again
Sharon

Newgirl2013 · 11th Jul 2020, 5:18 pm

I have looked all over and I can't find the model number for my EMI Autochanger

Edward Huggins · 11th Jul 2020, 6:08 pm

These autochangers regularly appear on ebay as part of an old EMI built Radiogram. The other week your desired autochanger model (in cream) was within in a tall, rather decrepit, console unit with push-button tuning from 1947/8. Right now there is a brown version of the autochanger (or very close to it in specification) in a 1947/8 Marconi Radiogram.

Newgirl2013 · 12th Jul 2020, 8:40 am

Hi Edward, I've just looked at it, sadly it's the wrong EMI Deck, I do have that deck, but, sadly that deck is too big for the cabinet

31st Mar 2020, 10:04 am	#41
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Hi Edward I'm detirmined to have it working properly Ian seems to know what he's doing I will keep everyone informed Sharon

31st Mar 2020, 11:03 am	#42
brymac Hexode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 389	Re: HMV Record deck problems Oh - isn't that RC-100 amazing!! But I think I have enough problems with the deck in my HMV (see earlier in this thread!!)

4th Apr 2020, 12:53 pm	#43
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Just a thought could someone let me have a pic of the autochanger with the turntable removed, I need to look at the motor drive

5th May 2020, 2:18 pm	#44
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Hi Edward I'm detirmined to have it working properly Ian seems to know what he's doing However he's had my HMV since March 14th and he still hasn't finished it I would not recommend anyone to send anything to Norwich Restore

5th May 2020, 2:23 pm	#45
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Hi everyone Well my HMV/EMI Autochanger has been dispatched to Norwich to see if Norwich-Restore can work miracles on it However after nearly two months he still hasn't finished it I wouldn't encourage anyone to send anything to Norwich Restore

5th May 2020, 2:58 pm	#46
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: HMV Record deck problems I'm not surprised. I was waiting to see if there could be some sort of miracle repair that this chap could do for an affordable price. Remember, I've personally worked on this model autochanger in the past and I can honestly say that it wouldn't be possible to do a repair for a price that would be sensible if you were in business to cover your time and also make a profit. If I remember rightly, it's the rubber drive part that causes the problem and needs to be completely re-made/replaced. I would guess that the repair chap perhaps hasn't worked on one of these before and didn't quite know what he was letting himself in for, so don't be too hard on him.

6th May 2020, 10:09 am	#48
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,326	Re: HMV Record deck problems All I would add to this is that this EMI Autochanger will be fiendishly difficult to repair. And especially in the sourcing of parts if a donor model is not to hand. I would far rather take on a BSR, a Garrard or even an over-engineered Collaro than one of these! Perhaps it may have been better not to have accepted this for repair, but we'll wait and see..... __________________ Edward.

6th May 2020, 1:55 pm	#49
Techman Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Lincolnshire, UK. Posts: 5,000	Re: HMV Record deck problems There's probably no one in the world left alive that actually worked on these decks when they were originally in general use. The repair chap says on his website that he first learned electronics in the mid 70s, so he's younger than me, as I did my training in the early 70s, and even I don't remember ever seeing any of these decks until around a decade ago, when I was asked to look at one for someone due to the revival in interest these things. In that particular case the answer was to replace it with a Garrard RC75 and keep the old EMI deck as a historical artifact wrapped up and stored in the large empty space in the bottom of the gram cabinet. The EMI deck did in the end work after a fashion, but the autochange cycle was unreliable and the top part of the spindle needed re-making, so better to forget it and fit a Garrard. I think the chap didn't know what he was taking on with that deck and I bet he's never worked on one before. Also, a couple of months isn't a long time if you're trying to keep the price down and messing with it in between other jobs when you get a spare moment. The only other advice I would give to the chap is to sort out the typos and spelling errors on the front page of that website - we all do it, but it looks bad on an important front page like that - get someone to proof read it first!

6th May 2020, 7:23 pm	#50
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,147	Re: HMV Record deck problems I can only refer you to my post 33. It took me a very long time to make and re-cut that drive drum/pulley. These decks were a bit odd at the best of times being made by EMI themselves. I would agree that the good old BSR UA series are incredibly reliable changers and served us very well. The problem is, no parts are available for the EMI and they are difficult to fabricate. The only reason I tackled the one at the museum was that it is part of a 1948 massive HMV television/Radio and record player with a good history. I would never tackle another one due to the time consumed and the frustration of the job. I hope you reach a conclusion with this but if you don't, remember it's only an old record player and there are still huge numbers of them around. Regards, John.

10th Jul 2020, 11:44 am	#51
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Oh dear, the HMV has just been returned to me unrepaired, He couldn't repair it This HMV belonged to my Grandfather and has great sentimental value to me Please can anyone repair it for me or does anyone know anyone who can, it would mean everything to me Thanks very much Sharon Last edited by Newgirl2013; 10th Jul 2020 at 11:53 am.

10th Jul 2020, 11:53 am	#52
brymac Hexode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 389	Re: HMV Record deck problems Can you just remind me what the model number is please??

10th Jul 2020, 12:24 pm	#54
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Can't remember the model number but I can let you have a pic Attached Thumbnails

10th Jul 2020, 12:44 pm	#55
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Hi Edward Yes I will keep trying Another alternative is to find another EMI restored Deck same model The HMV means everything to me, My Grandfather and I were very close, We spent many a happy evening playing records on the EMI He left me the EMI Record Player in his will in 1961 Last edited by Newgirl2013; 10th Jul 2020 at 1:07 pm.

10th Jul 2020, 1:11 pm	#56
brymac Hexode Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 389	Re: HMV Record deck problems OK - I am working on an HMV 1604 and (long story!!) have ended up with 3 decks for it! Once I've finished rebuilding it, there will be two decks on offer. They are similar, but not identical, to yours (photo attached). But - it will be some time (months) before this project is completed!! Attached Thumbnails

10th Jul 2020, 1:42 pm	#57
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Hi Sadly that deck will be too big for the cabinet I do have that model that I've restored However let me have pics when they're ready Thanks again Sharon

11th Jul 2020, 5:18 pm	#58
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems I have looked all over and I can't find the model number for my EMI Autochanger

11th Jul 2020, 6:08 pm	#59
Edward Huggins Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Southwold, Suffolk, UK. Posts: 8,326	Re: HMV Record deck problems These autochangers regularly appear on ebay as part of an old EMI built Radiogram. The other week your desired autochanger model (in cream) was within in a tall, rather decrepit, console unit with push-button tuning from 1947/8. Right now there is a brown version of the autochanger (or very close to it in specification) in a 1947/8 Marconi Radiogram. __________________ Edward.

12th Jul 2020, 8:40 am	#60
Newgirl2013 Hexode Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Hayle, Cornwall, UK. Posts: 380	Re: HMV Record deck problems Hi Edward, I've just looked at it, sadly it's the wrong EMI Deck, I do have that deck, but, sadly that deck is too big for the cabinet