record player only plays certain records

I just acquired an old (I'm guessing mid-60s) Magnavox Micromatic record player. The thing is a dinosaur and I love it. Along with the record player, I got a stack of about 40 old vinyl records, all in great condition. No warps, no scratches. The problem is this: only some of the records sound amazing on the record player, other records sound awful: muffled and distant, if I turn the volume up it's all distorted like I have two blown speakers. I even tried a few brand new records, and they have the same problem. Could it be that this record player will only play a certain type of record? And if so, what kind? How do I know so I don't keep wasting my money on brand new albums that sound like shit on this record player?

I appreciate any guidance you can give me.

Just guessing--sounds to me like you are attempting to play stereo records with a mono system (needle, at least, must be updated). Ron Rich

Are these all the same type of record, LPs (12-inch -- 33 1/3 rpm), or are they a mix of LPs and (7 inch) 45s, or even shellac 78s?

The reason I ask is that many people refer to all records as "vinyl" today, even though that's not the case, and 78s have to be played with a special needle.

If they're all the same -- it will play some but not all LPs correctly, for instance -- I'd guess that your needle is shot.

JDS

To add to Joe's comments:
Most people (younger generation) today have no clue as to the proper use of record playing equipment.
Just the basics - put a record on the platter and set the needle down on it....

But knowing the specifics as Joe mentioned, is the key to success with these things.
Needle size, material, and groove types, are all important factors that have to be learned first - to avoid damage to both the equipment, and the records.

Us "old heads" knew the ropes, and the new guys now have to learn it all from scratch.
It's kinda funny, though...

The other possibility, somewhat remote, is that the machine is stereo with the pickup leads reversed on one channel.

It would still sound barely passable on some stereo records but centered vocals and mono records will cancel.

Rob/NYC

Rob-NYC wrote:The other possibility, somewhat remote, is that the machine is stereo with the pickup leads reversed on one channel.

It would still sound barely passable on some stereo records but centered vocals and mono records will cancel.

Rob/NYC

And the possibilities are almost endless as to the problem.
Poor grounding of the cartridge, poor grounding at an interconect somewhere, a component failure in the phono circuitry, etc etc etc.....
Bottom line?, have it serviced.
That was and still is the best solution.

Try this first: Put a record that won't play on top of another record, and then try to play it.

If it now plays, the pickup arm is misadjusted so it will not lower enough to play a thin record correctly. The needle bounces around in the groove and sounds awful.