PLEASE HELP - i need to identify and locate these parts

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 1:51 am

Hello,
im totally new to phonographs and know nothing about them, i bought one as a birthday present for my girlfriend, but i need a new needle and cartridge.

I havnt received the phonograph yet, so i cant tell you much about it, but i do have the ebay link if you would like to check it out:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... L:RTQ:UK:1

Its a Columbia 312
I am told that it requires what is known as a 'turnover' cartridge and that also requires two needles (one for 45 an one for 78) in order to operate.

I have no idea which needles are needed or what cartridge, so if there is anyone who has some information on this unit and the parts required, and also where to get them, PLEASE PLEASE contact me asap.

Jim Z. · by **Jim Z.** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:22 am

Hi Andy,

Suggest you try the following places for a new cartridge and flip-over needle for your Columbia 312 record changer:

http://www.garage-A-records.com
www-turntableneedles.com
http://www.kabuse.com
http://www.needledoctor.com

All four, from what I can see from their ads on the internet, carry cartridges and flip-over needles.

Also, from my recent research, many of the record changers used in name brand phonographs including Columbia Records were made by
VM Corporation. Check out the following website for a complete list:

http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com

Hope this info helps you to find the parts you need...

Regards... Jim Z (Eagle Bay, NY)

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:54 am

thanks jim, i'll check them out.

Andy

Jim Z. · by **Jim Z.** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:29 pm

Hi Andy,

I have more info for you.

Suggest you get a Sams Photofact for your Columbia 312 phonograph. It should have all the information that you are looking for about the cartridge and the needles.

The Sams Photofact for your Columbia 312 unit is 278-4

(Sams No. 278 folder 4 )

Contact Sams photofact service at:

http://www.samswebsite.com

Go to photofact search.

Check - Find anywhere

Type in 287-4

It will come up with Columbia 312

Cost of Photofact is $22.00 plus shipping

It is well worth the cost to get the Information you need.

I have several old Sams photofacts, but I don't have this one. If I did I would send you a copy.

This should help you out...

Regards... Jim Z. (Eagle Bay, NY)

Jim Z. · by **Jim Z.** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:31 pm

Hi Andy,

Correction:

The Sams Photofact is 287-4

I made a typo mistake in my last update..

Regards... Jim Z.

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:34 pm

o no, that would be so useful if i could afford it:( im a poor student.
I wonder if they do a student discout! im gona check it out.

Thanks for the info

Thom · by **Thom** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:46 pm

I'll check at home to see if I might have it.

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:13 pm

thanks

Thom · by **Thom** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:39 am

I'm still looking.

Thom · by **Thom** » Wed May 02, 2007 4:45 pm

Unfortunetly I do not have that schematic. Have you tried this unit yet? If you get hum when you turn it on, turn it off right away because you need to re-cap it. You should re-cap it anyway and it is not all that difficult. It probably has a crystal cart and as such will be a little hard on records so a newer lighter tracking cart might be in order. Keep us informed. Good luck.

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Wed May 02, 2007 7:48 pm

sorry i know nothing if these things:s
what does re-cap mean? how do i go about it? is it expensive?

Thom · by **Thom** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:02 pm

It's not expensive at all to recap an amplifier of this size. Just look in the archives of this forum: key words: recapping, restoring an amplifier, and also go to the links they suggest as there are a lot of "how to's" on this subject. A crystal cartridge is the part in the tone arm that holds the needle. I'll send some links when I get a chance. Regards.

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Thu May 03, 2007 12:11 pm

thanks

andybradley · by **andybradley** » Tue May 08, 2007 12:13 pm

Ok, i finally received the player in the post today so here is some more info for anyone who may be able to help.

I need a replacement cartridge and needle's

Columbia 312

Cartridge reads 'Ronette Stylus N.5304 L' 'TO-284-US'

its a change over cartridge with a lever on the tip of the arm that is marked N on one side and L on the other.

Please someone tell me where to get the parts I need.

Andy

Thom · by **Thom** » Wed May 09, 2007 3:08 am

http://www.justradios.com/, http://www.needledoctor.com/Welcome, http://www.turntableneedles.com/, http://www.philcorepairbench.com/index.htm
Here are some links to sites that can help. Also be sure to check in the archives on this forum. Use keywords like 'capacitor replacement' 'ceramic cartridge'. They will guide you to other sites that can give you step by step instructions that apply to most tube sets. It looks as though the cartridge is ceramic. As such it may be ok if the needle cradle (the rubber part near the tip is still pliable and not missing. BE GENTLE. Replacements that are not exactly the same will fit none-the-less. Search the web and ebay. Lots of suppliers have visual reference so you do not have to rely on numbers alone. Redards.