Phonoland

Hi Guys,

Few questions:

1) Does anyone know if a later Rockola basket (from a 478), would be compatible with an earlier model like a 442? Theyre both 160 selection, and while the numbering is different I have no issue overlaying some stickers if it fits mechanically

2) Are they easy to change?

Thanks in advance. I've found one in nice shape from a 478 and may just pull the trigger!

Adam

Hi Adam,
I don't know--but this is a case where having the parts books may help--
There may be a part number listed for the "bare" basket, in both books---if the same, I would assume that they will interchange--( and knowing RockOla's history, I would bet on it)
Ron Rich

Well the part numbers are different, so no real way of telling. I think i'll pass on this one, it would have cost me £150 and thats a lot of cash to drop on something without knowing

Depending on how it's worded,in the parts book, sometimes they show "UN-assembled"parts. If they do, it will usually say something like "basket welded assembly", then will go on to add the parts required to complete the whole thing, such as the "number stickers"--and so forth. If it only shows one (different) part number, for the basket in the two books, it's a toss up ---
Ron Rich

Ah, so infact these baskets come apart? I did not know that

Most of the individual parts have the same code, I.E the seperators. This should mean I can make a good basket that is compatible from the 2 parts.

My local jukebox guy thinks my gripper is more to blame than my basket, so he is going to change the gripper mech. Apparently mine has a lot of play in it and he believes some parts are bent. May not be the issue but we shall see. Its a lot cheaper than me importing that basket anyhow!

I don't think I agree with him--I have never seen anything "bend" on the RockOla gripper ??
Please post results, when done, as I well could be wrong---
Ron Rich

Yeah me too to be honest. Though he did say he's never seen that before either, and has been in the trade some time.

The way I see it my gripper doesnt look too great anyway so wouldnt hurt to swap it for a known good one. At this stage my jukebox could probably use a new jukebox!!! I really did get a bad deal on this one!

Will post updates when the gripper is replaced, if it doesnt fix it I will replace the basket next - Hopefully the job wont be too difficult!

Hi Ron,

He came round today and replaced the gripper mech. While the new gripper seemed to work better, when I thoroughly tested after he'd gone, I STILL had those pesky problems, I.E a few records put into the wrong slots!

So I adjusted the read out so all but those few selections were working, and bent the basket wire. Tonight I've played the hell out of it and so far no failed pickups and no incorrect returns!

I did get the popularity meter fixed at the same time, which turned out to be the arm that actuates it needed bending upwards! So its not suprisingly I could see where the issue was before, nothing was apparent that operated it. He also fixed an issue where my read out carriage would lift away from the plate, so a fair bit of progress today. If anything the new gripper mech LOOKS better!

Adam