Phonoland

I recently bought a house and my parents were unloading all their unwanted goods to me. My father gave me my grandpa's 1968 Maganvox Astrosonic and said it probably does not work and you can throw it away or use it for firewood for that matter. To my dismay I finally plugged it in and it is working. I also found the original paperwork that my grandpa bought it for $518.44 in 1968.

I am very excited about this and have finally started buying some vinyls and enjoy listening to it. I would like to start restoring it and since I am new to this I am not sure where to start.

It definetely needs a new needle and the speakers do not sound to well. If anyone can give some advice on where to start and if this is something I should seek out professional help or will be able to change parts myself. I know my grandpa would be very proud that I use this today and am looking at keeping it for a long time to come.

It is a 1968 Magnavox Astrosonic
Model#: 1P-3812
Serial#: 1675371

Thanks,

Jon

After looking at it some more and reading some posts I wanted to start by getting a new needle. I lift up the arm and I am not sure how I can get it off to see what needle replacement I need. I see a screw underneath but had a hard time unscrewing it and did not want to strip the screw. Am I heading in the right direction by getting that screw off? I did not want to proceed because I was a little nervous of breaking it and no music at all. Thanks!

You need to find the number on the cartridge so you can make sure you get the right stylus/needle, I don't own a 68 Astrosonic but
the number may be visable without removing the cartridge from the tonearm. Once you get the number you will be on the right
track to buying the correct stylus/needle. I have bought my stylus/needles from vendors on eBay from 4.99 to 8.99 and that includes
free shipping you will have a hard time beating those prices any where else.

Look in the FAQ on this page at the top of Topics. You may have the popular Electrovoice EV275 or an Astatic 165D. You'll see it on the back of the cartridge, The 560345 is Magnavox number and those 802/742 numbers are the stocking/warehouse. There are several replacement needles that will work.