Rock ola 443 jukebox question

I doubt i can find somebody who could repair my rock ola unless it gets shipped all the way over to america.

Hi
Stop it off in Ireland first and we can sort you out
clones

There the machine can be repaired?
The only problem is, my parents are my only local way of transporting, otherwise i cant transport things at all private, only public system.

Since it can do magnetic needle, wouldnt it be simple to give it a modern stereo needle?

Hi,

I think I referred you here from the Vintage Radio Forum?

Can you give us any info on what cartridge is in it? If its a Shure one (m44 series), that is the best cartridge for that machine.

All of these had stereo compliant cartridges by this point. Due to the type of arm etc, you wont get a modern "hifi" cartridge working well in that machine, but neither should you want to. The M44MR is perfectly matched for this machine and is a high output nice sounding cartridge, especially for 45s.

Does your amp have a switch for "Ceramic" or "magnetic" input? Assuming its set correctly this should tell you what sort of cartridge it is.

Also, if you want help please take some pictures and add them to your posts, you need to be as specific as possible. Its very hard to imagine what items you're referring to otherwise.

Best Regards
Adam

Yeah, i can switch over to magnetic on the amplifire, thats why i asked the question, since it would be able to do magnetic stereo sound and currently its on creamic, i would be happy to be able to get a headshell that fits to it.

It's not a "headshell" you need but a cartridge. I bought mine from someone in the USA, but you can get them from various jukebox parts stores online. Make sure you get the " shure m44mr" and budget for a new stylus also. You can get the official stylus now as they don't make them, but the after market ones available from all jukebox stores seem fairly decent.

Whatever you do don't be fooled into buying the m44-7, it looks similar but is far too springy and compliant for that arm.

Does the jukebox work ok in other respects? You can use the ceramic for now, if it's in good condition it won't sound too bad

Psychman wrote:It's not a "headshell" you need but a cartridge. I bought mine from someone in the USA, but you can get them from various jukebox parts stores online. Make sure you get the " shure m44mr" and budget for a new stylus also. You can get the official stylus now as they don't make them, but the after market ones available from all jukebox stores seem fairly decent.

Whatever you do don't be fooled into buying the m44-7, it looks similar but is far too springy and compliant for that arm.

Does the jukebox work ok in other respects? You can use the ceramic for now, if it's in good condition it won't sound too bad

There is a problem..it doesnt have the needle
and needs to be renovated in te mechanics and new fuse, its that wich have a small spring with a pice of metal inside of it.

No cartridge at all? Are there any tone arm wires? Once again, pictures would be very helpful....

Glass slow blow fuses are easily found on ebay, or online. Your Maplin / RadioShack equivalent may well stock them too, just make sure they are the correct value! My 442 has the same fuses and I had no issue finding exact replacements. Get a pack of each, you may discover, or create other issues when troubleshooting that will blow them!

And do obtain a proper service manual!! The repro versions online are better than nothing, but Ron is right, they're no substitute. Very frustrating when trying to read a diagram to find it pixelates when you zoom in!

Mechanically you will likely find the gripper arm needs lubrication and maybe "freeing" up. If you cannot power up yet, you can locate the gripper motor, located underneath the gripper mechanism, reach under and rotate the cog slowly by hand to see if it is infact stuck, if its not you will see the gripper moving as if to pick up a record.....A service manual will help with this.

the cartrigde is stil on it, the needle itself is gone, and how do i post pictures on here?
the selection system wont respond and reject butten dont respond either and ill try your suqestion.

Photo posting instructions, as well as a lot of other information is contained at the top of this (and all) sections.
Just start reading at the top, and scroll down-- Ron Rich

the mechanics are clearly stuck in the jukebox and do the jukebox have build in ground connection?

The earth or "grounding" arrangement for your jukebox should be as follows:

Mains feed comes into the cabinet, connects to a step down transformer at the bottom of the cab that delivers the 115v volts to the PSU unit. The cheeks or casing of this transformer will likely be earthed, and also metal work in the jukebox itself will be earthed by this too.

It sounds like you dont have much experience with electrical equipment, so PLEASE dont go messing with any of this, you can put your own safety in jeopardy, or potentially make your home earth unsafe!! Assume its wired ok for now, if you do see any loose or damaged wires or anything you're worried about, post some pics here before doing anything or consult someone who is competent with electrical wiring. Common sense should also apply, if in doubt don't touch anything with power applied, and don't go opening any amp PSU or credit units just yet, even with power disconnected.

You say the selection system doesn't respond? Is the machine in "operate" mode? Does it have credit? Remember these machines want money before they will allow any selection buttons to lock

When in operate, look for a switch marked "credit" on the front of your credit unit (large metal unit under the PSU, flip this switch and credit should be applied, you should hear a loud switching noise as the keyboards lockbar solenoid engages, this is what will allow selections to occur.

Your right on the not skilled with electric devices like the jukebox machines and might have found one that is alot closer to me.

http://www.mediafire.com/view/yyfvg62v5 ... G0037.jpg# this wire i found pokeing out on the jukebox from behind

http://www.mediafire.com/view/z89z3l4t0 ... G0036.jpg# if you cant see it the grip arm was apearently stuck like that when i got the jukebox, so the grease must clearly stick.

The green/yellow wire with the spade lug is probably a chassis ground. Take a look at the cord coming into the machine. The green wire from that should attach to a chassis point and there should be continuity to -all- external metal parts.

You have a ceramic cart, that was what those models came with. If you want to use a magnetic, a good idea, you will need to add a preamp between cart and existing amp input. That tone arm is not well balanced and this results in much greater record & stylus wear than if the arm had a proper counterweight. This topic comes up frequently when discussing Rock-Olas Adding a counterweight is not that difficult if you have a few tools, or know someone who can help.

Here is an earlier thread with good information:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6578

The amp in that machine is tube -correct? It is also 50 years old and for safety (it's and yours) the capacitors should be replaced. This is a somewhat skilled job, but pretty straightforward --if-- you can use a soldering iron and a few basic tools.

In the front pic of the machine it it obvious that the gripper bow (this pulls the records) is misaligned. There is a notch on both sides of the bow casting right at the silver chuck which extends to lift the record. That notch must be centered on the pointed post that points up right under the silver chuck. If it is not too jammed up, try pulling on the far end of the gripper bow. Pull to the right and see if you can get it slightly turned and slide it back into the post and mentioned above. the gripper should be even with the turntable at that point.

If the mech is too jammed (this will blow the low voltage DC fuse) try turning the exposed end of the gripper motor shaft to free things up. The shaft is at the bottom of the motor.

At this point, you need asses whether you can do at least a partial restoration yourself, or need to look around for someone to assist.

A service manual is a very good idea: http://www.alwaysjukin.com/items/servic ... s/list.htm

Rob/NYC