Phonoland

Hello! I was giving a Magnavox Micromatic Console by my elderly neighbor while she was moving. The turntable doesn't have a needle to it. Everything else appears to work great (radio, speakers etc) Luckily the turntable still had the operating instructions inside and according to those it is model number 211 and says to replace the needle order Stock No. 20-8043 and to replace the cartridge order Stock No. 20-8042... I can't seem to find these anywhere (I'm guessing that the console is about 45-55 years old, so I'm guessing stock numbers have changed since then ). Any help would be greatly appreciated! My e-mail is NikkiMayDay@gmail.com

Sorry, but the info you provided is kind of vague, and nothing in my Magnavox database matches it.
Photos of the unit would help much more.

Here are some pictures of the turntable

I can see in photo #2 WHY it needs a new needle.
I can't understand why people set the DELICATE and FRAGILE stylus ON THE BARE TURNTABLE.
There's a restpost/security clip to the right of the platter - THAT is the proper way to store the tonearm when not in use.
The stylus is only meant to touch a revolving record.

That being said, those photos still doesn't give me a clue as to what cartridge is in the tonearm - since Magnavox used numerous brands/models of cartridge/stylus in that tonearm.
And the fact that it could have possibly been fitted with another cartridge altogether in a previous service instance.

Aw, come-on now Matt-- I was done tolt, that the needle set down on a turntable like that, helps keep the needle clean ?
I waz also tolt that it is a good idear to set that needle down that way while transporting a phono from place to place--really "scrubs" the needle--Was I done tolt rong--many moons ago ??
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Aw, come-on now Matt-- I was done tolt, that the needle set down on a turntable like that, helps keep the needle clean ?
I waz also tolt that it is a good idear to set that needle down that way while transporting a phono from place to place--really "scrubs" the needle--Was I done tolt rong--many moons ago ??
Ron Rich

Oh hush up Ronnie, a'fore I fly out to SF and smack ya toofless.

Iz alreedy toofless, when I don't put my falsies on--in-- Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Iz alreedy toofless, when I don't put my falsies on--in-- Ron Rich

LOL!
You're a hoot.

Matt,
"Hoot"??--do dat bees da same as "Old Coote" ? iffin so, Iz guilty !
Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Matt,
"Hoot"??--do dat bees da same as "Old Coote" ? iffin so, Iz guilty !
Ron Rich

Absolutely!

GENTLY lift tonearm as far as it will lift with one hand, with the other hand take your camera and shoot picture of cartridge and needle. send picture of cartridge and needle to one of the sources in the above stickys. that should get you the correct needle. good luck.

From the several Maggies that I've had, many had ElectroVoice Cartridges with either #26 or 126 needles as I recall. These were flip under cartridges which had two separately replaceable needles. They are still readily available for both LP and 78. Good luck on finding a good cartridge however. Sometimes after replacing a needle you will find that the little groove in the cartridge which supports and receives the needle has deteriorated and will not allow the needle to work correctly. I've had a few good ones, and many bad ones. It is amazing the degree of difference between various old cartridges. I suppose heat and humidity have a great deal to do with how they may survive or not.

While on this subject, do you guys have any advice on cleaning an old cartridge? Looking at the area just behind the stylus I see quite a bit of dirt in there and would like it to be nice and clean but I don't want to do something to screw it up because they're getting hard to find and quite expensive.

Bill,
Use a small, soft brush---
Ron Rich

Ok. Just dry? Because it looks pretty dingy like the dirt has been dried and stuck there for the last 50yrs or so. Lol which it probably has!