Beogram 1500 (The new one) - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

PWH · 24th Mar 2020, 9:14 pm

I have one of these on which I cured the sticky lift mechanism and it now runs OK at the right speeds But.. The stylus seems to swing like a pendulum from 6 o' clock to 7 as the record tracks. Occasionally the record gets stuck and if I push the arm gently to centre the stylus, the sound levels balance up. Tracking weight is set to 1.5g and anti skate minimum - no tension on the spring.
It seems as if the horizontal swing is slightly impaired. Looking underneath, there is a wire which pushes a slider to the center which seems to have to lift up a plate which operates the return mechanism. This seems odd as this entire mass has to be moved by the stylus and would impair movement. Should this be lubricated or super clean?
Has anyone seen this stylus swing before? Am I looking in the right place? Perhaps the lateral bearings are sticky
Thanks

Max Ripple · 27th Mar 2020, 5:39 pm

If you remove the drive belt,then operate the mechanism,and turn the sub platter manually, the arm should move across freely to the start position.
If you then grab the arm and move it across towards the centre boss,you should feel no resistance to its travel.
The thin wire pulls/drives the arm,o perated by the gear wheel you see.
It's unusual for any mechanical problem to cause resistance to the arm travel with this deck, provided that it hasn't been incorrectly reassembled at some stage?
It is quite likely though that the stylus suspension has deteriorated with age,and that could explain the mechanical displacement of it
Which pick up cartridge is fitted? You may need to get the cartridge refurbished.
There are several specialists here in Europe that carry out this work, but I'm not sure about NZ?
Nick

PWH · 28th Mar 2020, 12:38 am

Thanks for the reply Nick.
Doing what you suggest, I see that the plate does lift and free the arm once it has swung to the start position. The arm seems to travel quite freely, but I'll give it a good clean. The cartridge is a MMC20 E. It sounds fine but maybe as you say the suspension has gone..
Any idea how to get at the lateral bearings without taking the arm apart? Maybe they are a bit gummed up?
Thanks

PWH · 31st Mar 2020, 1:17 am

Cleaning the rails has improved things. The stylus does not swing so much.
However I still don't think its quite right, so if anyone has encountered this before, please let me know

PWH · 8th Sep 2020, 12:47 am

The answer was one of the ball bearings in the arm mount had somehow become displaced.
A right faff to get it apart and clean and reinsert 13 ball bearings! However its done and works well

24th Mar 2020, 9:14 pm	#1
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Beogram 1500 (The new one) I have one of these on which I cured the sticky lift mechanism and it now runs OK at the right speeds But.. The stylus seems to swing like a pendulum from 6 o' clock to 7 as the record tracks. Occasionally the record gets stuck and if I push the arm gently to centre the stylus, the sound levels balance up. Tracking weight is set to 1.5g and anti skate minimum - no tension on the spring. It seems as if the horizontal swing is slightly impaired. Looking underneath, there is a wire which pushes a slider to the center which seems to have to lift up a plate which operates the return mechanism. This seems odd as this entire mass has to be moved by the stylus and would impair movement. Should this be lubricated or super clean? Has anyone seen this stylus swing before? Am I looking in the right place? Perhaps the lateral bearings are sticky Thanks

27th Mar 2020, 5:39 pm	#2
Max Ripple Pentode Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Near Coventry, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 186	Re: Beogram 1500 (The new one) If you remove the drive belt,then operate the mechanism,and turn the sub platter manually, the arm should move across freely to the start position. If you then grab the arm and move it across towards the centre boss,you should feel no resistance to its travel. The thin wire pulls/drives the arm,o perated by the gear wheel you see. It's unusual for any mechanical problem to cause resistance to the arm travel with this deck, provided that it hasn't been incorrectly reassembled at some stage? It is quite likely though that the stylus suspension has deteriorated with age,and that could explain the mechanical displacement of it Which pick up cartridge is fitted? You may need to get the cartridge refurbished. There are several specialists here in Europe that carry out this work, but I'm not sure about NZ? Nick

28th Mar 2020, 12:38 am	#3
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Re: Beogram 1500 (The new one) Thanks for the reply Nick. Doing what you suggest, I see that the plate does lift and free the arm once it has swung to the start position. The arm seems to travel quite freely, but I'll give it a good clean. The cartridge is a MMC20 E. It sounds fine but maybe as you say the suspension has gone.. Any idea how to get at the lateral bearings without taking the arm apart? Maybe they are a bit gummed up? Thanks

31st Mar 2020, 1:17 am	#4
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Re: Beogram 1500 (The new one) Cleaning the rails has improved things. The stylus does not swing so much. However I still don't think its quite right, so if anyone has encountered this before, please let me know

8th Sep 2020, 12:47 am	#5
PWH Heptode Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Waiheke Island, New Zealand Posts: 503	Re: Beogram 1500 (The new one) The answer was one of the ball bearings in the arm mount had somehow become displaced. A right faff to get it apart and clean and reinsert 13 ball bearings! However its done and works well