phonograph newb questions

I have not had a record player since my parents got rid of their when I was young, but being a swing dancer, I thought it would be fun to begin collecting big band albums to dance to. I have an RCA Victor Orthophonic High Fidelity phono/radio which came from Craigs list not too long ago. Over all not too bad except I am not entirely sure how to care for the system. When I put on an LP, the music seems to drag and have some fuzzyness to it. Is this because the needle is bad or is something else going on? Also, it is capable of playing 45s and 78s. There are two needles.One is labeled LP on side, than flips and has a 78 needle on the other side. Can I use the LP needle on a 45? Additionally, how do I set it up for 78s? Lastly, what general care and maintenance do I need to know about in order to keep everything up to snuff? Thanks for any tips.

Well, let's see now..."High Fidelity" kinda indicates a tube type. So it sounds bad. Bad things could be happening each time you use it too. So far your description of your problems means you need a complete overhaul of the set. If you contact a qualified tech he/she will probably say "What's the model number?" A model number works with the crew around here too. One of the experts here can provide general instructions on what to do but a model number might up your chances of getting a better info for your problems.
Bill

Craigs List/Ebay/Flea Mkt/Yard Sale + Vintage electronics = $$$ + Trip to knowledgeable repair person.
I've seen way too many "craigs list" messes come into my shop, but all left there in perfect working condition.

16, 33, and 45 use the LP needle. 78 uses the other one, which is 3 to 4 times bigger, because the 78 groove is larger.

Matt,
I too have seen my share of "eBay/CL" jukeboxes--one notable one stands out in my mind--
Guy calls me, and says "Do you fix Jukeboxes"--me in my usual smart ass reply, said sure, if you can bust them, I can fix them.
He then goes on to tell me about the "fantastic deal" he got on a Rowe-R94 (which was the last 45rpm player they made prior to the CD units). BUT--it was shipped from back east (we are in the west) and there was a "problem".
OK--I said--what's the problem ? He says that the create either got "turned over, or dropped on it's top" We opened the create, and found that that "heavy thing, attached on the left fell out ( this would be the amplifier), ripping all the wires"--and the player also fell through the front glass--also broke the plastic door".
What would it cost me for you to come to the shipping warehouse, and give me a repair estimate? I quoted him a price, to which he said --why so much?. I said that it would take me at least three hours to drive over and back, and I was charging for my time--At which point, I asked him what it cost for the jukebox. He told me (in a "proud voice") "only $750---". At that point I told him not to "bother" looking for repairs--parts alone for the front door would cost more then that---if still available (they were-- checked later, about $1200, retail).
He called a whole bunch of people on the west cost, "checking on me--and my prices"--Guess I "T'ed" him off-- Got many emails from other guys--don't know what ever happened to the juke-- Moral of the story--KNOW what you are buying and how to bolt it for shipment ---FIRST! Ron Rich

Ron Rich wrote:Matt,
I too have seen my share of "eBay/CL" jukeboxes--one notable one stands out in my mind--
Guy calls me, and says "Do you fix Jukeboxes"--me in my usual smart ass reply, said sure, if you can bust them, I can fix them.
He then goes on to tell me about the "fantastic deal" he got on a Rowe-R94 (which was the last 45rpm player they made prior to the CD units). BUT--it was shipped from back east (we are in the west) and there was a "problem".
OK--I said--what's the problem ? He says that the create either got "turned over, or dropped on it's top" We opened the create, and found that that "heavy thing, attached on the left fell out ( this would be the amplifier), ripping all the wires"--and the player also fell through the front glass--also broke the plastic door".
What would it cost me for you to come to the shipping warehouse, and give me a repair estimate? I quoted him a price, to which he said --why so much?. I said that it would take me at least three hours to drive over and back, and I was charging for my time--At which point, I asked him what it cost for the jukebox. He told me (in a "proud voice") "only $750---". At that point I told him not to "bother" looking for repairs--parts alone for the front door would cost more then that---if still available (they were-- checked later, about $1200, retail).
He called a whole bunch of people on the west cost, "checking on me--and my prices"--Guess I "T'ed" him off-- Got many emails from other guys--don't know what ever happened to the juke-- Moral of the story--KNOW what you are buying and how to bolt it for shipment ---FIRST! Ron Rich

Ron, I totally understand that situation.
Most people have no conception of what's involved in doing repairs/restorations to vintage equipment these days..
The few jukeboxes I've done, you know parts for those things are expensive. (check Victory Glass)
Just because they found a "bargain" somewhere, some think a quick and dirty "fix" can be had.
Nah ah... sorry, t'aint gonna happen.
Ya got researching for parts.... and indeed, since some are rare, they go for big buck$$$$.
Ya got labor.... spending hours in my shop, replacing discreet parts..... caps.. resistors, etc... and I gotta pay what the distributor charges for them. (BTW cap prices have gone up some)
Tubes....$$$
Dissassembly of mechanisms, cleaning, re-lubrication, adjustments and testing..... all takes time to do right..

I charge a fair price for my services, people know I do excellent work, bring me additional work, and refer other customers to me.... it's all good.
If I were the customer, I'd want 1st rate work done on my stuff too.
Bottom line... I take my work seriously, I enjoy keeping these old relics alive and running properly.
But it comes with a cost.
....And the enduring enjoyment from these things is worth it.

Hi Ron/Matt,

Yes I know what you guys are talking about, even when you have pulled out all the stops for a customer, you tell them your hourly rate or the price for the job, or you tell them that it may take time to find that part for that repair, they seem to be on your back all the time. Well not all customers thankfully, needless to say the ones that wind me up are asked not to darken my door again.
I also do not get involved with refurb's I only do repairs. Rebuilds done correctly are a labour of love with hours of work and IMHO should be left to the end user with the help of professionals repairing, or refurbing parts prior to the rebuild.

Regards
Alan

Alan Hood
ami-man
UK