Zenith s-9013 tonearm return problem

Hi All, I'm new here. I was given a Zenith s-9013 suitcase type record player. I got it working (somewhat). The first issue I'd like to fix is: While playing a 78 the tonearm will reject and go most of the way back to the cradle(?) before the record is finished playing. Is there an adjustment in the unit that can resolve this problem. Sincere Thanks, Don

No adjustment - the unit needs proper servicing per service manual.

Thanks for the quick reply MattTech. I was hoping it was something simple like adjusting a set screw. Guess I'll try the library and search for the service manual if available. Thanks again, Don

Everyone thinks a 50-70 year old record player "just needs an adjustment".
In fact, any adjustments simply won't correct the root problem.
That is...... it's AGED by now.
Lubricants have long dried up, and turned to glue....
Electronic components are prone to catastrophic failure...
Wiring has deteriorated...

These things need a complete and mandatory overhaul in order to be safe to use, and reliable in operation.
Locate a reputable servicer nearby to remedy the issues and create peace of mind.

hi MattTech, Your advice is very much appreciated. Can't afford a Tech, so I'll probably scrap the turntable and use the amp for guitar. I'll retube and maybe change the caps and transformer if I can find the correct ones. The speaker is in fairly good shape. I used a bit of Deoxit, now the tone control works perfectly. It may make a nice blues amp for guitar. As for a phono, I'll look for one that works properly to play 78's and 45's. Thanks again MattTech. About a year ago I had a problem with a Mackie 808s Mixer/amp, The sound was garbled. I hit all pots with Deoxit and it's been working perfectly ever since. Deoxit seems to work great on rotory controls.

HI MattTech, Before I tear out the turntable to get to the amp, do you think there are any parts worth salvaging in case I were to get another Zenith or should I just trash the whole turntable? It doesn't appear to have seen much use. Thanks, Don

Those Cobra-Matic changers are quite reliable and worth the expense to restore.

Thanks MattTech. I really was surprised by the sound of this unit. The needle and amp seems to be in very good shape especially for it's age. The rotation @78rpm seem to be correct. The eject seems to work properly. I was just going to use it for 78's and 45's. If it weren't for the tone arm problem I'd probably use it, rather than removing the amp. The amp works great. I'll probably retube and replace the caps on the amp for use as a studio guitar amp. I hate to do that as It's probably worth restoring as a record player but I really can't afford it. That's why I was hoping there was a DIY way to adjust the tone arm. I'm a drummer and my experance is very limited to soldering cables, replaceing tubes, minor upgrades to Bellari preamps and using DeOxit on rotary control pots, replaced a few caps on musical equipment and stereo equipment,Very Sincere Thanks for your suggestion though. Thanks again, Don

Why would you replace the tubes? How do you know if they are bad? Capacitors and other out-of-spec components yes, but why the tubes?

Don,Thom,
My question would be: How do you know "new tubes" are good--Even RCA, at the height of the tube era, allowed that fully 10% of all new tubes were "bad". This was factored into the distrib's pricing, and any tube returned was sent to the circular file, without question, at most distribs--'cause the tube makers would not accept returns. Ron Rich

Ron,

Hence my question: Why replace the tubes? Unless of course they are actually at fault.

Thom,
I thought I was "agreeing" with "your point"
Ron Rich

I didn't know tubes from 1954 would still function properly. But it seems they are all right! By the way, I was about to rip the unit apart to get to the amp and as a last resort I decided to spray a bit of CRC under the tone arm and now it plays the whole record from beginning to end!! Though the tone arm doesn't return to its proper place.... If it continues to work like this I won't tear it apart. Time will tell. I'm also surprised that the old speaker has a good sound considering it's age.

Tubes ( or as they are called across the pond, "Valves") are related to light bulbs ("Globes"?). If the glass is intact, and they are not used, or "banged around", they should be good "forever". Like light bulbs, tubes have a filament--it usually is smaller, and burns a reddish/orange color in a tube. Tubes also have other parts that tend to deteriorate with age. This is where the word "Valve" makes a whole lot of sense. If you think of it as a valve that passes water--think of "rust"--as that's what happens inside a tube, till it has built up enough "rust" so electricity can no longer pass through the valve. Like a light bulb, the filament can also "burn out".
HTH, Ron Rich

Thanks Ron Rich for the valuable information. I'd like to check the caps as I understand they wear out over time. Are there modern replacements for these caps? The transformer looks as though it has seen better days, guess I'll check it too. Are there modern replacements for transformers also? Your advice is genuinely appreciated. Respectfully, Don