Wurlitzer 1700

Hi All,

I have a Wurlitzer 1700. Original mono amp and Astatic cartridge.

After discussion on this forum, I have had the amp rebuilt and new needle and tubes installed. The sound is much better, but not great.

During the amp rebuild I noticed an "Aux Amp' plug, so I have plugged in a modern amp with speakers, the sound is much improved.

My questions are.

1. If I continue with this (new) amp installed, will it harm my old amp at all?

2. The old amp continues to produce music even though it is turned down as far as possible. Does this mean that the Volume control is faulty?

3. If I pull the speaker plug from the old amp (therfore removing the old speaker), will it damage the amp?

Hope you can help.

Advice appreciated.

Regards

Gordo.

Hi Gordo,
That is not the "original cartridge" for that model. If original, it would use a "Cobra".
Since you sent the amp out, why don't you contact the "rebuilder" and axk him which type cart he "rebuilt" it to use--and also the rest of your questions, as he should know--I don't think, but am not sure, it' a good idea to un-plug the speaker--would need to see the schematic- Ron Rich

Ron,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Sorry...it is the cobra.

My problem with the rebuilder is that he has a guitar amp service and got very lost in the jukebox amp build. He was very unsure with the juke amp so I doubt if he would help. He took months and cost far too much.

Unfortunately, I am unable to find anyone experienced with jukeboxes in Australia. The only person I have found is 2000 miles away.

I think I will leave the speaker connected just to be safe.

Thanks

Gordo.

Gordo, the 1700 was a decent sounding machine. The main reason for poor sound is dried out damping material in the Cobra and a lack of a crossover for the woofer.

Depending on how capable you feel at going into the amp, there are some simple changes that can be made to the volume control's contour taps that can "tune" the shape of the response and smooth out harshness.

Connecting to an external amp won't do any harm, but kind of defeats the whole effect of having a jukebox in your home.

That machine uses a field coil speaker. By design, removing the speaker plug will cut off the plate voltages to the amp, so it must remain in. If sound is still leaking through with the internal volume set all the way down, you can also turn down the machine speakers fader switch on the amp rear.

Rob/NYC

Hi Rob,

Thanks for your reply.

I totally agree with your thoughts about adding a modern amp, it does defeat the purpose. The problem is I have spent a small fortune trying to improve the sound without great success. I think I expect too much and will probably revert back to standard after I calm down (ha ha). The 1700 is a very pretty juke, so I want to keep it, but the sound is far behind my other jukes.

You previously advised me about the dampening and it improved the sound a lot ....thanks.

I will search for the fader switch.

I have never rebuilt the speaker, so it might be worthwhile trying that.

Thanks again,

Gordo.