Rockola 429 sound

Hi all, I have a question regarding the sound of my Rockola 429. After a long break I decided to get back to work and see if I could get some sound. I was operating in the assumption I had amplifier issues but found that it was simply a few loose connections prohibiting the sound! I have a few questions now:
1) the speakers are dusty, have holes in the black part. Are these repairable or easier replaced?
2) some records sound better than others. I'm assuming that's due to their quality?
Any other advice regarding sound quality, volume, etc would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Ed,
Sure--speakers can be re-built--see alwaysjukin ads for re-coners--
Record quality,needle quality, and AVC operation all account for that--
Ron Rich

I have gotten my Rockola 429 in decent shape. I'm enjoying hearing these old records! as winter forces me inside, I intend to finish it. Here are a few issues I'm curious about: 1) my amp seems to take a while to warm up. No sound until about mid way through the first selection. Then no problems. 2) the amp gets hot. I'm not sure how hot is too hot. Please chime in if you have any suggestions. These may or may not be issues but to a newbie, it's concerning. Thanks

Tube amplifiers do generate heat.
However, something from 1965 will obviously need restoring, to prevent a catastrphic failure.
And that can be way more expensive than a restoration procedure.
Stop using an unrestored tube amp, and have it properly serviced for reliability, and peace of mind.

Hi Ed,
If it's a tube type amp, yep--heat is generated. If a "solid state", it should NOT generate heat, unless running full blast for a period of time. If it is doing so, a check of the speaker settings is in order. Also check that there are no remainders of "external speaker wires" left to "short-out". If the above is OK, I strongly suggest that you follow MattTech's advise !!
Ron Rich

I fully agree with Ron & Matts take on this amplifier.
I suggest that you contact a Rock Ola expert who can test/rebuild your amplifier.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

Thanks everyone for the replies. It is indeed a tube amp from 1965, so I'm sure it could use a tune up! I did contact an "expert" who said, based on the tubes I was describing to him, it would be very hard to find replacements. In your opinion, would it be better to convert to something else or repair? Any idea of a reasonable rebuild quote?

Ed,
Whut kinda "tube expert" did you talk to ? Tubes are fairly easy to obtain--Price MAY be a factor ?---What is the tube layout ?
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Ed,
Whut kinda "tube expert" did you talk to ? Tubes are fairly easy to obtain--Price MAY be a factor ?---What is the tube layout ?
Ron Rich

Ronnie, it's got 12au7's, 12at7's, 6bq5's, and 6cy7's in it.
Nothing rare about those tubes.

What MattTech said. From what I can see it has: top row-( 2) 7868's, (2) 12at7's, (2) 7868's Middle- (2) 6cy7's. Bottom row- (1) 12 au7.
There are two white things that aren't labeled as well. Not sure if those are the 6bq5s. I just spoke to the guy over the phone. may not have been an expert, just near by! I have no idea of his knowledge other than he seem familiar with the parts. I think he was a guitar amp guy.

Ed,
7868's were a little "pricey" for awhile, but the Russians stepped up, and are producing (what I have been told) an excellent quality version.
My advice--send that amp to a "Jukebox" guy, who has done hundreds of them--

Ed, & Ron, if that amp has 7868 finals it is a later amp from a 432 -possibly others. The original amp did have 6BQ5's.

Ed, if you do send that amp out for rebuild be sure to include the power supply unit next to it. that supplies the 6.3 volt heater current for the tubes.

BTW: I doubt the problem is tube related. There are two channels and if there is a problem common to both there are three main places to look:

-Power supply. Check for correct B+ voltage as soon as the machine enters play mode.

-The 12AU7 (or 12AX7) tube on the lower right side.

-Arching/poor contacts on the B+-mute relay inside the amp.

Do you have a schematic?

Rob/NYC