New Wiring In An Old Unit

Hello all, I think I'm posting a fairly common question...perhaps...sorry if it's redundant.

...I recently got my hands on an admiral stereophonic record cabinet. I can't see the original tag/info because the previous owner scraped off the sticker, so I'm not totally sure
what make/model it is but it only partially works. When I put a record on, the arm barely makes it to the vinyl before freezing up or shutting down. Occasionally it will play but usually
slows to about 1/4 speed, then shuts off. The volume,bass, and treble nobs work and it produces good sound (when it works). I would REALLY like to get this thing fixed up and since I'm
certain it's simply a wiring issue I am writing to inquire as to what I should go about replacing. I'm fairly certain the tubes and volume controls are in good condition, and the speakers
work great. It's the tone arm that had trouble moving, which makes me think it's a power issue. I've attached a few photos to illustrate what I'm getting into. I have rewired things before
(sockets, breaker boxes, guitars, amps) so it wouldn't be to foreign to me.

Any help is appreciated.

Lou,
"Wiring" would be the last thing I would suspect. The only exception to that would be if I could see insulation "falling off"--
Wires will conduct forever--they never loose the ability to do that.
Let me be clear--wires without insulation are dangerous, and need to be replaced with the same size wire!
I would suspect a lack of or incorrect lubrication, is the cause of most of what you describe here. Ron Rich

I noticed when I flip the on switch there is a low "hum" and vibration. The tone arm swings to play the record and it goes for
about 15 seconds before slowing to a stop. I can still hear the humming sound like there is power but it doesn't play. Any guesses
on what needs to be fixed if the wiring isn't a problem? A connection?

Unless you're an experienced technician and well versed in tube equipment (and high voltages), my suggestion would be to let a good tech do the job.

I agree with Matt 100 percent.

Your issues are not electrical/rewiring, but mechanical. Turntables have gears, idler wheels and a bunch of little intricate moving parts that trip other parts to make to make the thing operate properly. Those parts can get gummed up or frozen from age/lack of use. Idler wheels can become hard like plastic, just slipping against the inner rim of the platter. Some parts need to be oiled/lubed, while others need to be clean and completely dry. The motor may need to be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. Dry motor mounts can cause extra noise/vibration/rumble transferred to the needle, and the motor may not be at the right height for the idler wheel to make contact at the appropriate sections of the motor shaft.

It's very busy underneath that platter and the underside of the the unit, and you should have a qualified individual check it out. For example, rewiring an electrical system in a car is totally different than installing new brake shoes.


A good tech can handle the mechanical and electrical issues in these old units, but I would not expect them to be experts at something like cabinet refinishing/restoring, but can refer a customer to professionals who specialize in that field. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Okay, thanks for the info. I will look for someone in my area who can do this sort of work.

Also consider that the hum you may be hearing could be bad capacitors. This unit is at the right age for that. They will most certainly need replaced.

Was reading this thread and I have humming on mine as well, wondering if any of you who gave advice here would look at my post and let me know your thoughts, besides the two that already have, unless they have more they can elaborate on? All help is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Retrorona

"Need help with my GE RC4100A Console Record Player"

Ya know,

I think some of us newbies (well, I'm not one) would go straight for the Electrolytic caps, that usually solves the hum issue. I've got a couple of Maggies that I recapped years ago are now rearing their ugly heads for the second round, trying to act up, and I think (maybe not a transistor probem) that RESISTORS need to be check out, too. It has happened before, but a bad resistor can "choke" a channel. I thought I had a bad transistor, when in fact, it was a simple resistor creating an inbalance between two channels. In spite of my ignorance, replaced a bunch of stuff for nothing.

My favorite "kitchen" record player (well actually, I have two) sounds mushy, lack of treble etc. I noticed when I took it apart years ago, that the radio section actually has its own gain controls and some other goodies in there.

Yes, replace the Electrolytics and don't forget those resistors. They may wear like iron, but eventually thay fail too. That first unit is an Astro-Sonic circa 1965, while the second Ivory console is an early 70's cradenza unit. Yep, it's time for a thorough restoration for my ailing 1965 Astro-Sonic.

Oh, on a last note...I don't like Sapphire needles, they sound like crap. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tuson, Arizona

Bobby,
OK--now you "got me"--seeing as my ears are failing, what does "crap" sound like ? I never had "the best" hearing, but I am sure that I could never tell what type of stylus was in use ! ( I had what an audiologist called "real strange hearing loss" when I was a kid in school. I could not hear mid-range female human voices --like my Mothers--she got so angry with me that she had me tested--and the audiologist agreed with me--I could hear the "noise", but not understand the words). Still the same today--worse on TV, and I do not go to movies ( or rent them) cause I can't enjoy them-- Ron Rich

Digressing...


Hearing is a funny thing.

About ten years ago my wife encouraged me to get my hearing tested, as she said I was going deaf.
Our doctor sent me to this special unit, (over here we have the sometimes unfairly derided "National Health Service." You don't have to pay for consultations with your GP, or for any treatment they think is necessary and is available).
I sat in a sound-proof booth where I wore earphones. The doctor then told me I would hear several different tones of different frequencies. These would be reduced in volume each time until I told him I could no longer hear it, then he'd move on to the next one. This test took about twenty minutes.
Afterwards, the doctor told me he was pleased to report I had perfect hearing.


"But doctor, my wife insists I'm not hearing her."

"Ah! That's a different problem."

"What's that?"

"You're just not listening."