Grundig Majestic Console SO 12 U

Does anybody know anythingabout this console. I inherited it and it was in my family since new in 1960 probably. Im trying to get it to work and have searched the internet and cant find anything on ths unit. Also can someone direct me to a troubleshooting page for these units ? it probably needs new tubes but I hate to buy all of them How can I test the tubes ? I remember when I was a kid we'd go into a drugstore and go to the tube tester LOL but I havent seen one of those in 40 years or more.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m202/pctekk/Picture004-3.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m202/pctekk/Picture006-1.jpg

OK---Here'a a quick'n'dirty way out of this--Assuming the set at least plays-if it's reasoably loud,the output tube-usually an EL84/6BQ5-can be surmised to be OK,unless distortion-often caused by a leaky capacitor-manifests itself...Tuning indicator dim? Replace when finances allow-they run about 5-6 bucks Weak MW(AM)orVHF(FM)reception? Check aerial connexions.Still weak-replace IF amplifier-often an EF89/6DA6-this'll run around 7-9 bucks. NB:The ECC85/6AQ8 has gotten pricey-ouch!Remedy:6BK7B-I've used this in several sets,including my Grundig SO121/US-works great-and much cheaper.The ECH81/6AJ8 is a tad sticky-it's common to all radio functions-and goes bad occasionally ...don't know the actual price,but start out if you encounter these problems.The EABC80/6AK8 can be replaced with the 6T8A-another cheap bottle.Hope this will help you-Bruce Thorpe,N7MMR

More Grundig stuff:The turntable will need attention,too--lube bearings and sliding levers-you'll be cleaning congealed grease w/WD-40, cleaning the idler with alcohol,as well as the inner platter rim,if no noise from the cartridge,call West-Tech Services and Russell Industries-they'll,odds are,have you decked out and ready to go.Records? oldies.com or collectables.com

The turntable is a Telefunken TW502. It has the basic V-M changer mechanism, with a few substitutions made by Telefunken (such as the tonearm, knobs, knob linkages, and plinth).

Bruce Thorpe wrote:OK---Here'a a quick'n'dirty way out of this--Assuming the set at least plays-if it's reasoably loud,the output tube-usually an EL84/6BQ5-can be surmised to be OK,unless distortion-often caused by a leaky capacitor-manifests itself...Tuning indicator dim? Replace when finances allow-they run about 5-6 bucks Weak MW(AM)orVHF(FM)reception? Check aerial connexions.Still weak-replace IF amplifier-often an EF89/6DA6-this'll run around 7-9 bucks. NB:The ECC85/6AQ8 has gotten pricey-ouch!Remedy:6BK7B-I've used this in several sets,including my Grundig SO121/US-works great-and much cheaper.The ECH81/6AJ8 is a tad sticky-it's common to all radio functions-and goes bad occasionally ...don't know the actual price,but start out if you encounter these problems.The EABC80/6AK8 can be replaced with the 6T8A-another cheap bottle.Hope this will help you-Bruce Thorpe,N7MMR

Ok im back into this. It powers up but there is no sound no static etc. If I switch to phono and play an album I can hear the music from the needle but not the speakers. All tubes seem to be lighting up and warm,hot. It lights up and all just hear no sound. Based on your reply above what are the 2 best tubes I should replace and go from there. The 6AJ8 and 6BQ5 ?

This radio has the following tubes. Next to them is what my dad wrote above them on the schematic

ECC 85 6AQ8
ECH 81 6AJ8
EF 89 6DA6
EM 84 6FG6
EABC 80 6AK8
ECC 83 12AX7
EL 95 I & II 6DL5

Thanks for the help. I'd really like to hear somethign coming out of them speakers. I played with this thing a bunch when I was a kid listening to albums SW etc etc.

I looked up your tubes. Note that the two numbers are European standard numbers, and American standard numbers for the same tube.

ECC 85 6AQ8 - Radio RF amplifier
ECH 81 6AJ8 - Radio Mixer/Oscillator
EF 89 6DA6 - IF amplifier
EM 84 6FG6 - Tuning indicator
EABC 80 6AK8 - FM Detector
ECC 83 12AX7 - Preamplifier and phase inverter
EL 95 I & II 6DL5 - Power amplifier pentode (push pull)

If you hear nothing at all, you might not have any high voltage. I don't see a rectifier tube in the list. Is there an empty tube socket?

The phonograph uses only the 12AX7 and the 6DL5 tubes, plus the rectifier. The other tubes are for the radio receiving portion. But you will get at least some sound if only one of the 6DL5 tubes is bad.

I dont see any tubes missing. One of my problems is I cant read a schematic so thats not helping. Im getting some speaker pop when I select the push buttons for FM,SW etc. but thats about it. I have the schematic and some pics if that will help you find the rectifier ? You might be able to see it if you save it and then open and use a zoom feature ?


http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m202/pctekk/Picture005.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m202/pctekk/Picture006-1.jpg

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m202/pctekk/Picture004-3.jpg

I see a semiconductor rectifier in the schematic. It is either selenium or silicon.

I have this exact same problem now. All my tubes are lit/warm but I have no noise from either the radio or the phonograph but can hear through the cartridge no problem.

First, what does the rectifier look like (I have the same tubes as this model even though mine is a SO-121)?

Second, should it be warm? how do I know if it is working?

A silicon rectifier has several different looks, but is usually a metal cylinder with a flange on one end so it looks like a top hat. There should be a wire out of each end. High power ones have threaded studs to attach to a heat sink. Here is a typical older design for a high power diode.



A selenium rectifier is a square set of parallel plates an inch or two long on each side. Flat metal leads stick out of it on one side. Here is a photo:

What do I check if it does not power up other than once in a great while. What connections should I check?

Power switch.

One thing you can do is use a voltmeter to see where power is getting and where it is not.

Interesting I'm in the exact same boat. I just got this very nice Grundig SO12U and it lights up but zero sound. The only way to get an audible pop is to pull and replace the EL95, changing buttons or knobs gets no sound or pops. Record player makes sound out of the cartridge. If I/we could get a few more pointers that'd be great. I've recapped amps and worked on my Telefunken console so I've got some experience,but not much. Rectifier?

The selenium rectifier bridge in that set looks like these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/4-X-SIEMENS-B250C10 ... 0172038014

They should be replaced by a Silicon bridge, or 4 separate Silicon Diodes, and maybe a resistor to drop the increased voltage that you get when switching from selenium to silicon

Before doing that, though, you should re-cap the radio. Those caps in that set are even worse than those in US made sets of that vintage.

HI,
This may be the wrong thread, but I'd love to get my hands on a copy of this model and would appreciate any help I could get pointing me in the right direction.

Thanks!
Steph