Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

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Dewey Holcomb
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Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Dewey Holcomb » Mon Oct 27, 2014 12:59 am

Hi
Long time lurker, first time poster.

Recently picked up a Rockola 425. Did a full cleanup & lube and we are 99% of the way there. My lone remaining issue is with the volume input on the right side of the amp. #9 on the Amplifier Assembly photo in the manual, listed as a "6-Prong Miniature Socket"

It appears to have been tampered with, there are a few frayed wires and it is a loose connection overall. If I wiggle it around and hold it just right, the sound is perfect, but as soon as the basket starts up, there is just enough movement to jar it loose, causing a ton of distortion or killing the speakers altogether.

I'm wondering if there is a way to completely bypass the external volume knob with some homemade jumpers or something? I wont be able to get at the volume knob anyways as the jukebox will be back in a corner.

thanks for any help!


clones
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by clones » Mon Oct 27, 2014 2:30 am

Hi
You could get an external volume control which would be plugged into the same point,the external volume would have to suit the particular jukebox.
It is possible that the existing volume control connections may need to be cleaned or maybe a wire is slightly loose
Clones


Ron Rich
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Ron Rich » Mon Oct 27, 2014 4:52 pm

Hi Dewey,
If it's not a "molded" type plug--just clean up and / or, add wires --and re-mount it
As noted above, by Clones, you can contact one of the suppliers listed above and purchase a "remote volume control" set-up for it, or, you might also either go to a GOOD electronics store, or one of the suppliers above, and purchase a replacement plug for it, and mount it where you can reach it-- Ron Rich


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Dewey Holcomb
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Location: Chicago, IL USA

Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Dewey Holcomb » Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:47 pm

Have the volume apparatus pulled out now and am looking to rewire the plug that goes into the amp.
How the heck do you get the wires out of the plug? They don't appear to be soldered in, and twisting/pulling isn't getting me anywhere. Are there tiny release pins I'm missing?


Ron Rich
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Ron Rich » Mon Oct 27, 2014 5:53 pm

Dewey,
If it's an all "rubber", molded type plug, it ain't "fizzable"--otherwise, just keep digging--
(Please, read PM I sent you)
Ron Rich

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Juke-rocks
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Juke-rocks » Mon Oct 27, 2014 8:53 pm

I've posted here previously about these 6-pin Amphenol plugs, but I've never been able to find any. Anyone know where to find them?
Patrick


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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Ron Rich » Mon Oct 27, 2014 9:09 pm

Patrick,
Are they truly "Amphenol" brand plugs ?? If so, they are still in business, as far as I know--might try "googling" them ??
Ron Rich

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Juke-rocks
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Juke-rocks » Tue Oct 28, 2014 1:12 pm

Can't say for sure, but that's the response I got when I posted it here before. I've tried searching online, but they make or have made a large variety of parts and without a part number (theirs, not Rockola's) I've not been successful. It seems like these should be out there somewhere since there was one molded plug on every Rockola amp for decades and one molded or wired-on plug for each remote. I have 8 or 10 remotes but only two plugs.
Patrick

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DoghouseRiley
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by DoghouseRiley » Tue Oct 28, 2014 2:27 pm

I've a 443 and I was able to obtain a remote control.

Someone was selling a 442 on eBay which had one. It didn't sell, so I e-mailed him to ask if he'd sell me the remote. Unfortunately it had been since sold privately. But the guy kindly offered to make up one for me from a few spares he had at a very reasonable price, complete with pretty much any length of cable and the correct plug.
I don't think it's the correct remote for this jukebox, but it worked perfectly, though it isn't stereo. I mention this as I guess there must be several of these around somewhere and if you can find one it will work on your 442. Unfortunately, I've since lost his address, but it was a few years ago.

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Juke-rocks
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Juke-rocks » Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:38 pm

Here's a photo of one of the molded the plugs, this one on a motorized volume control. When I take this photo into electronics stores I get blank stares. Seems like there ought to be a LOT of these somewhere. The remotes themselves are readily available on Ebay and the 5-conductor wire is standard.
Patrick
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Rockola4Ever
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Rockola4Ever » Sat Nov 01, 2014 10:43 pm

I've never even looked at, let alone touched that connection on my 425. The last photo in the thread looks almost like the wires were inserted in hollow pins and soldered at the tips. If it looks like solder at the tips, then maybe you could heat up a pin and pull a wire out, re-strip, and replace. If you can, than repeat for the rest (one at a time so you don't get cross wired). As I say. I am going only by what that photo looks like. You could even try unplugging it, spray some contact cleaner on the pins, and plug in and out a few times.
I had a problem with a channel fading away after the first selection or so. I thought I had a heat related component problem. I found the screw holding the pre-amp module to the amp to be slightly loose. I cleaned the pin contacts, and tightened the screw. No more channel fading. You might have a simple problem.
By the way, the volume/reject assembly I believe is held in by one screw. Maybe you could mount that within the box, so you could lift the lid for access.
Just my humble opinion.


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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Ron Rich » Sun Nov 02, 2014 12:47 am

Patrick,
Since you have the motorized control, why don't you just use it ?
Ron Rich

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Juke-rocks
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Juke-rocks » Mon Nov 03, 2014 2:33 pm

Ron: I'm using motorized controls in two of my Rockolas right now, but that still leaves some without. I have several of the pot-type volume controls that need that connector to plug directly into the amp. Those with the motorized controls wire directly to the audio distribution panel, and the motorized part plugs into the amp. I rotate jukes throughout the house frequently (keeps my wife guessing just how many there are) and the plugin type remote is a lot handier to move from one machine to another. I'm sure I could wire a 6-pin molex-type connector from the backside of the amp's female connector, but I'd rather not hack in if I can keep it original.
Patrick


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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Ron Rich » Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:51 pm

Patrick,
Just a thought--
You might try contacting the suppliers listed above, to see if they have any "bad" RockOla amps, and are wiling to either sell the whole control, or just the plug with long enough wires to splice ?? Ron Rich

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Juke-rocks
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Re: Rockola 425 Volume input on amp - bypass?

by Juke-rocks » Mon Nov 03, 2014 7:07 pm

Good idea. Thanks.
Patrick

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