Phonoland

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and to antique record players and would like to ask some advice. We just recently purchased a Curtis Mathes Stereo from 1963 with a Garrard AT60 turntable. It has a couple of small issues that I would like to try and resolve myself.

1. The records skip quite a bit and will sometimes not play unless you put a penny or some weight on the needle. I know that this isn't the best method and that the tone arm needs to be balanced, but I'm not sure where to start. Also, I would like to get a new cartridge/ stylus before I take the time to balance the arm, but I'm not sure what kind of cartridge to purchase.

2. There is some humming on the phono channel that does not happen when the radio is being played. Will this be remedied with a new needle or is there any other issues that I may be having?

3. Any other general advice would be awesome... We're really excited to get this stereo in 100% working order. Thanks

First, WELCOME to Phonoland!! . Second, get that penny off the arm. You are destroying your records! It sounds as if you have a worn stylus which will tear you record up the first time you play it because, when a stulus is worn it acts like a chisel in the groove. Now that I got that out my system, the humming could be from the muting switch located under the table or a bad connection somewhere between the cart and the amp or the cart itself. A 46 year old TT will probably require a total cleaning and lube. My experience has shown that Garrards from that vintage have what used to be called grease which by now has solidified into glue. The idler may be good enough to clean up or may need to be replaced or rebuilt. The cartridge may need to be replaced unless it is a decent one, then it may only require a new stylus. Pictures would help. If you want this unit to be 100% and you are not sure you want to tackle it yourself you may want to take it to a professional. If you decide to take it on yourself you will find the help on this site is friendly and informative. Also check out the archives. There is quite a lot of info to be found there. Best.

Thanks for your welcome.
Yeah I know the penny is a bad idea, we were just using it to test and see what all was wrong with it. We used a record that was already in bad shape, so we didn't feel too bad. I figured out the humming was because there was a ground disconnected between the record player and stereo. Once I attached it to the chasie the humming went away. Finally I did end up taking it in to a professional. I think that was a good idea at least the first time. Getting use to something that's working and tuning up small things as they come about will be much easier then starting with it needing alot of TLC.
Thanks for your help!

By the way, Check out vinylengine.com if you need an owner's manual or service manual. Look in the library section. I believe they have one or both for this model.

You have the Garrard syndrome.

The trouble is in the trip mechanism. Garrard used a damping lubricant on the trip parts that dries out after a while. It becomes rubbery, and causes the record to skip near the center.

The turntable must be removed to expose the change cycle cam.

The change cycle cam must be removed.

The trip parts must be removed from the change cycle cam (note how they go on it ).

The holes the trip parts go in must be cleaned with alcohol.

The shafts of the trip parts must be cleaned with alcohol.

Use some #0000 sandpaper to slightly reduce the diameter of the shafts of the trip parts.

Put some graphite lubricant in the holes the trip parts go in, and put back the trip parts. I use Panef graphite lubricant sold for locks.

If the grease in the heart-shaped cam groove has hardened, remove it and replace it with new grease.

Reassemble the parts.