Americana III cartridge replacement

I have gotten my manuals for my 3300 but I don't see any instructions for replacing the cartridge. I ordered the P132 for it and I was told that there may need to be some soldering involved. Has anyone seen any instructions online or printed OR done this themselves? Thanks

Paul

Paul, you will need to solder new "flea clips" onto the existing wires. The original cart uses flat terminals and the one you've ordered uses the typical round ones. I believe they are included with the new cart.

FWIW: Going with the 132 is really a step down from even the original cart. The 132 is frankly, junk with a plastic stylus cantilever.

If you want to stay with a ceramic, the Tetrad P-404 with a fairly compliant metal cantilever would seem to be a good choice:

http://www.needles4turntables.com/ceramic.htm -Scroll down. I personally would not have known that Tetrad was still around, so I credit "Matt Tech" for the info.

I've restored 19 Wurlitzers from the carousel era ranging from 1700 through 3200. In all cases i went with a Pickering magnetic and added a slightly modded preamp.

The improvement in sound and tracking is dramatic and on a later arm such as the 3300 it really is no more complicated than fitting another ceramic. There is the added cost of a separate preamp but if the goal is to keep and really enjoy the machine I consider it well worth it.

Rob/NYC

Thanks for the info Rob. I am not that tech savy to add a preamp so I would probably either have to find someone who can do that or just stick to simple cartridge replacement. I would like to keep this jukebox for awhile and want it to sound awesome, so I would be interested in your suggestions. Is this something you would travel to do? If so let me know. I live in Rockland County, NY.

Paul

Paul, if you've ordered the 132 you might as well install it and see how well it works for you. The procedure is exactly what a magnetic cart will require -minus the preamp.

The round clips are the same as a magnetic uses and you'll probably need to slightly rebalance the arm (simple adjustment) and perhaps a slight adjustment of the trip switch ans set-down settings.

If you later decide on a magnetic, adding a preamp simply involves plugging the two RCA plugs that go into the juke amp into the input on the preamp and the output of that into the amp.

Rob

Getting back to my original post, I may not be that tech savy, but I can follow the hell out of step by step directions. If anyone has seen or done the replacement of a cartridge in the 3300 I would be much obliged.

Paul

Paul,
I would go with the replacement Sonotone cartridge, sold by needles4 jukeboxes--
Email him, as I think instructions are provided--
However, I really do not think you have a cartridge problem---Pull the plug behind the tone arm, to check the wires going from the mechanism to the amp--if still bad, those wires are bad--if not--pull the wires off the cart--still bad--those wires are bad--if good, it's the cart--
Ron Rich

Ron,

I think I have pretty good sound now, just thought that by replacing the cartridge it would be a good way to go. I did the belts already and that took out the wobbly sound completely. I got the P132 from needles4 which John had recommended although he had no instructions. I will follow your instructions, too. Thanks for your help. Is the Sonotone a difference maker over the P132?

Paul

Hi Paul,
Sonotone was/is the original brand WurliTzer used--
Ron Rich

Ron, I think your reply was intended for the 3400 thread.

Rob

neugie63 wrote:Ron,

I think I have pretty good sound now, just thought that by replacing the cartridge it would be a good way to go. I did the belts already and that took out the wobbly sound completely. I got the P132 from needles4 which John had recommended although he had no instructions. I will follow your instructions, too. Thanks for your help. Is the Sonotone a difference maker over the P132?

Paul

Paul, to replace the cart the tonearm must be removed (obvious..right?). First unplug the pickup wire going to the back of the arch assembly.

Then set the mechanism to the play position w/out a record and shut off power. The arm assembly is held on with two Phillips screws...look underneath.

Carefully extract the arm assembly from the arch casting while noting how the pickup wires are dressed and the position of the cam lever and trip switch that touches the tail on the arm assembly...These have to go beck the same way.

A closeup pic might be helpful here.

When soldering the tiny wires do NOT solder them with the clips on the pickup. Use a gentle clamp or alligator clip to hold them.

As I mentioned earlier, some fine tuning of the arm will likely be needed after reassembly.

Rob

Just recently the records are playing just a little bit slower. Opening up the back of the machine noticed a squeak from the flywheel and if I put a little pressure on the drive wheel toward the motor, the sound is fine. I am sure it needs lubrication for the squeak, just not sure where to do it, but not sure about the other issue. Any advice?