60's Magnavox Micromatic needs some TLC

Hi,

I just bought by first unit and I'm really excited to get to work restoring it. She's a Magnavox Micromatic, model no. 2ST654. The model number under the record player says G600. Unfortunately, it does have one problem:




Can anyone help?

The other images of the unit are here: http://img12.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=dscn8315.jpg

Thanks!

Congratulations! on buying your first Magnavox! I am 23 years old and was given my first real nice Magnavox Stereo Console by my Great-Aunt when I was 18. I have really enjoyed it and I didn't know then how great Magnavox was. Magnavox was the top of the line! and since then
I have had 3 or 4 other Magnavox Stereo, 2 of which I still have. They are both very similar to the one I see that you have. To me it looks like your cartridge is missing. The good news is they are generally easy to replace. In the meantime you can enjoy a CD player, or hook up your ipod to the aux portion of this stereo. Trust me it will sound amazing!

Good Luck,
Michael
phonomike

Hi Pirate - I just bought the exact same Magnavox unit in an E-Bay auction for $31. Have you been able to dig up other information on this unit, like the year of manufacture?

Mine needs a new needle, which I just ordered. I've got to figure out how to clean the contacts on the volume button - volume level jumps from loud to EXTREMELY loud, even at the lowest setting. I've opened up the back of the unit and it looks like it could be difficult to remove the part with the radio and dial controls. Have you had to take this part out before?

I'm pleased to see the changer works perfectly and the tubes are in good working condition!

Congratulations, Pirate:

I have a unit very similar to yours except the finish is lighter. My turntable looks exactly like yours except it says "Imperial Micromatic" - Magnavox. Your radio section is also similar, except my controls are in different order and the face plate says Astro-Sonic Stereo High Fidelity.

I would say that your unit is circa 1965. There may be some little date stickers on the receiver chasis (10/65 = October, 1965). These older units have the aux jacks on the receiver itself and you have to remove the back to plug in a CD player or cassette deck. Some units had a patch cord/box that ran from those jacks, and the little box was mounted on the outside to have access to record/play.

As far as removing the receiver, you have to remove the knobs first. Then there are two screws inside the turntable chamber near the 45 adapter and speed selector. That's holding the top part of the receiver in place. If you look inside the back, the receiver is mounted to a vertical board where there are two more long screws hold the bottom part of the receiver. After disconnecting all the wires, removing these last two screws will let the receiver drop straight down. You may have to hold the receiver with one hand while loosening these screws so that it doesn't come crashing down. Or, you could turn the entire cabinet on it's side and remove the receiver horizontally.

This would be a good time to replace any burned out bulbs. I think GE 1847 bulbs can be used. Cleaning contacts is not difficult and there are many cleaners and lubricants out there like Deoxit, etc. The back of the controls do have an opening where you can spray the contacts, then turn the control back and forth to loosen up whatever crap has accumulated over the years. That should help eliminate scratchy volume and tone controls. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona