Rockola 424 tonearm issue

tschwend · by **tschwend** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:08 pm

My jukebox has been playing fine, but recently the tonearm started skiping across the record, not following the record groove (not playing the record).... Any ideas or suggestions? THKS!!

DoghouseRiley · by **DoghouseRiley** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 11:46 pm

A few things I would check.
Possibly a damaged stylus,
The spring that provides the correct stylus pressure has become detached.
Sometimes the pick-up leads can drop down below the level of the cartridge rub on the record and stop the stylus reaching the record.

Try selecting a record, wait for the tone arm to almost touch the track-in. Then stop it with the scan switch. Check that none of the leads are below the cartridge and that the tone arm moves freely.

Have you recently moved it?
Skipping can be caused if the machine isn't completely level.
Try putting a spirit level on the turntable.

tschwend · by **tschwend** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 8:09 pm

It actually turns out the the needle was bad. I ordered a new one, put it on and it seems to be working better. I was wondering what the needle pressure should be set at and how is that done?

DoghouseRiley · by **DoghouseRiley** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:05 pm

tschwend wrote:It actually turns out the the needle was bad. I ordered a new one, put it on and it seems to be working better. I was wondering what the needle pressure should be set at and how is that done?

The pressure should be between three to five grams where the needle would touch the record. It's likely that if it hasn't been messed with it could be OK. Otherwise you need a pressure measuring instrument.
You decrease the pressure by moving the thin spring under the tonearm towards the cartridge, using the line of half a dozen or so little holes into which the hook on the end of the spring will fit. To increase the pressure, you move the spring back.

tschwend · by **tschwend** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:40 pm

Mine (Rockola 424 Princess Royal) actually doesn't have a spring. It has a screw that pushes on a metal strap, lever like thing, that pushes up and down on the tonearm. But I'm sure it is the same idea and only needs slight pressure.

by **Ron Rich** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:57 am

Yea --same "idea"--only, iffin "someone" has bent that "lever like thing"--up, or down, just a small amount, the "pressure" will have changed--and that "thing" will only take a few "bendings" !!
To "adjust" this PROPERLY, set the screw dead center--adjust the tone arm counter balance spring ("that lever like thing") for around 3 to 5 grams pressure on the needle when placed on the record--then adjust the screw to get about 4.5 grams--
Ron Rich