Phonoland

i recently purchased a wurlitzer 2500 model. while the entire thing needs a good wash and some cosmetic work (bumpy chrome spots, some paint etc..) it does work. however there are a few hangups i'd like to discuss.
i think i could certainly handle all the cosmetic repairs and am a quick learner and a do-it yourselfer, but i'm afraid to just start tearing into the guts of this machine needlesly. like i said it does work. the buttons are all there, but a few of them have "cracks" on them. the "select" button has no light emmiting from it. when a record plays it seems to drag in spots and makes the song sound terribly "off-key" i wonder if a belt is worn or loose or if there is an adjustment on the tension. the reset button on the back of the machine is broken , and the volume control is dust ridden so when adjusted a staticy cackle comes out and the volume really doesn't change at all. also i think one of the speakers is blown (or maybe just terribly outdated) if it's cold (the machine is in the garage for now) the song select buttons simply wont "click" when pressed. they just depress, but never "engage" thus no song could be selected.
as i said before, i am eager to jump into this project, but need reassurance or perhaps a good talking too about what i'm getting into. i am in southeast missourri and localy there is no one of any knowledge to assist me. any response would be welcomed.

anyone? .................... anyone.............

Re your Wurlitzer,

I deal with Rowe Ami only, these days but have a working Knowledge of Seeburg, Rock Ola and NSM.

I suggest that you visit http://www.jukeboxmadness.com and go on the forum to see if any of the jukebox people in the USA can help you.

Regards
Alan Hood
ami-man
UK

There is probably a rubber idler wheel under the turntable which has become hard with age. Good luck on finding a replacement which is not also hard.

But you can get Caig CaiKleen RBR rubber restorer at most radio-TV repair supply stores. It does magic to restore the rubber surface, provided the wheel isn't cracked or falling apart.

Caig also makes CaiLube MCL sliding contact cleaner which will fix that noisy control.

If a mono cartridge is in the arm, don't play stereo records on it. It will ruin the records.

Hi try this jukebox forum

http://lists.netlojix.com/mailman/listinfo/jukebox-list

Before you do anything get yourself a service manual. if you ask any questions on the forum, make them as detailed and precise as possible. There are some very good tech guys on this forum but study the manual first. As far as your machine is concerned, it sounds like a complete strip down is required and if its the original amp, then it will likely at the least to need the capacitors replacing and the old rectifier replaced. This is not an easy job for the first timer. If you dont replace the capacitors, there is a danger that if they become leaky, they can damage either your tubes or worse an output transformer. If any of the capacitors are paper covered, you need to preplace them as there is a risk of fire with these. Some resistors and tubes will likely need replacing too. Vern Tisdale in the US does capacitor kits. Each component is labeled and you get a schematic. Tackling the amp would depend on your confidence and technical knowledge. It might be better sending it out to a professional. Have a look on the web for Always Jukin publication. This is an invaluable source for any jukebox enthusiast with technical tips and lots of suppliers regularly advertising.
If you intend to strip down your machine. You can take the lower base of the mech off to clean the contacts in there by removing the 3 bolts, but i would not recommend taking it apart any further. I believe a special wurlitzer alignment tool is required for the rest of the disassembly and without it you will find it very hard to get the mech back together again. For the turntable motor it is likely you will need all new rubber mounts and grommets wich are readily available. The motor is easy to strip down and clean. Oil the shaft with light sewing machine oil and also if there is a felt pad at the base of this tt motor give this a good soak with oil. There is also cage roller bearings under the record carraige and these will need oiling or replacing. Make sure all contacts are cleaned and ajusted to the manual specifications. dont use heavy abrasives or files on contacts. The contact points should be kept rounded and not flattened off. I use a very fine wet and dry paper, but others prefer a specific burnishing tool available from most good electronics shops. If your mech jams up, try checking the two reversing switches at the lower side of the mech. These can cause probems and might need replacing. Make sure you clean all plug and tube connections thouroughly. Cant think of any more right now.

Good luck

Gary