Magnavox Astrosonic cartridge replacement

I have Maganavox Astrosonic console.I have the type of tone arm that has the cartridge permanently attached to a bracket, so you have to replace the bracket and cartridge as a unit. I would like to know how to remove the bracket that holds the cartridge in place. I can feel a screw underneath and tried to turn it, but it wouldn't budge. Is there any way to release the tone arm so I can lift the arm all the way up, so I can see what I'm doing?

Hello and Welcome, Fasteddie!!!

Since you joined this board recently, you should read some of the older posts. I'm sure you'll find your answer there. You didn't state what model turntable you have. You can find many different turntables and cartridges in these Astro-Sonics, many with the same cabinets that ran for several years.

Be more specific..."I have a W621 turntable (located on the underside), with an EV275/Astatic 165D cartridge." Notice that the cartridge may have an ElectroVoice EV275 and a Magnavox 560345 number. That helps for cross-referencing. There is, at least from all the turntables in my consoles, a single screw that fastens the arm to the post. Just don't put any tension on those cartridge wires once you have the arm removed. I hope the first 3 pics help, and there are a host of wonderful, knowledgeable folks that will chime in, too. I am no Tech. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hi Bobby, I just wanted to say how much I enjoy reading your posts and advice on Magnavox, I'm the Advocate of Magnavox in my area, my only collector contacts are online now. I find myself trifled to death trying to get the screw out of the arm of my junker to retrieve the cartridge for one of the sets I robbed, or maybe one of the two Astro-Sonics which function perfectly except for the cartridge. I need to find the perfect Phillips head screwdriver I guess, and have discovered those screws love to fuse themselves into the arms!

I turned myself into a lifelong Magnaphiliac in June of 1969, after seeing my aunt's console, and her daughter and son in laws Danish style console. I bought a tabletop set as fast as I got home, and many other sets over the years, and foolishly let consoles and seperates out of my grip over the years. I will not part company with the remaining items, working or not! So far, a kitty has trashed my '59 console record player, and the '65 Sorrento is badly in need of caps.

I look forward to making contact with other Magnaphiles in the future. Have a great day!

Thank you so much for the kind words, 71stereotheatre. Bless yo' Bones and welcome to the group!

Maybe try some WD40 or some other product and let it soak for awhile. If a phillips head is starting to strip it, try a small pair of vice grips, hoping you can get a good grip on that screw and give it a twist. I love old consoles, truly old school. I like a beautiful cabinet that also offers musical entertainment and decent sound quality. Magnavox wasn't the only game in town back in the day, and there were truly other wonderful consoles out there, but there was just something about those Maggies...

I wish the lot of us were in close proximity, and could help each other with repairs, etc. Maybe host some Maggie/Vintage Consoles get together (I hate to say convention) in different parts around the country. Bring in the techs and knowledgeable amatuers and just share stuff. It wouldn't just be a Magnavox thing, but all those vintage consoles.

Maybe narrow it down even more to the local enthusiasts/techs. Alot of folks don't post where they're from, but who knows what may be sitting right under your nose in your very community. I've made some connections with some Tucson folks in the past, but haven't heard from them in awhile.

Hey, how to check semi-conductors, how to solder/desolder, proper use of scopes, meters, soldering guns, where to get parts ...just neat stuff for those who acquire those old acquisitions and need some advice/guidance on how to repair and maintain them.

I like the way it was back way, way back in the old days... "I'll trade you a side of beef for some of your bumper crop of corn/wheat/oats to keep me raising my cattle and may trade another side of beef next year."

Back in the 50's and 60's, we had our yearly slaughter of hogs, wringing chickens' necks, giving away cows and goats milk, eggs and canning. We shared all our spoils and, in turn, our neighbors/relatives shared with us. We were not rich by any means, and may not even come close to "middle class" status, but we never went hungry. My dad was a coal truck driver doing the day, but we farmed in the evenings...huge cornfields, wheat/oat fields, and several gardens with every vegetable you could imagine. I can remember my dad and older brothers going out hunting in the fall for Buck/Doe, Pheasants, Squirrels.

Sorry, didn't mean to be so verbose and go that deep. My point being is helping out others and not charging ridiculous prices and taking advantage of those less knowledgeable folks. But, on the other hand, don't expect to get a completely rebuilt transmission at your favorite auto repair for $50 bucks. The Techs/Experts still have to live and put food on their tables, and the work that they do is not as simple as changing a light bulb. Would love to meet some techs/amateurs in my areas and share what we have. I support both sides. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

Hi All,
One short "caution" here--keep the WD -40 (and any of it's "sisters") away from ALL "plastics"--
Ron Rich

Thanks Bobby, I appreciate the warm welcome here! I'm on the two Yahoo sites also, under a different name, I wanted the new one for here in honor of my 1971 Armoire Stereo Theatre. I found it last Christmas Eve in a used and new furniture store less than three miles from here. The man has a 1953 GE combo inside the front door, which led me to inform him that I collect consoles. He said he had an old tv set stereo in the garage bay behind the store. So after three minutes or so, I was treated to an electric thrill with the sight of a complete and virtually flawless 1971 French Provincial Magnavox etc etc.......!! I haven't had that kind of reaction in several years! I have only craved one for the past two, having had to forgo the one in Vero Beach, Florida which is only thirty miles north of here. I bought the set without haggling and had it delivered on January 4 of this year. Television is blank at the moment, the radio and amplifier are lovely, the set had two needles in an envelope, the cartridge screw, and no cartridge. (I've since found a cartridge on eBay) On the way out of the store, the owners wife said "don't forget this" as she waved the remote control at me.

I wish I had the aptitude and space to work on these things, maybe someday when better circumstances present themselves. I too wish we were all closer together, I'm sure there are some guys and gals on these sites in South Florida, I had two friends here, one passed away, and the other one sadly, is on his way out, and I only found out about him because I found a framed portrait of him in an antique mall, the mall owner told me he was parting his collection out on the premises and is hooked to oxygen 24/7. Over the course of time, I've tried half hearted attempts to find a friendly tech or two in my area. Once I was informed by a man who had potential, that "nobody collects those consoles, yes Magnavox had nice sets, nobody wants them" and "nobody collects tv sets either". He collects and repairs radios and receivers, and various other things. By coincidence, he knows the man who sold me the Theatre. Another nice man practically screamed me down when I told him I was looking for Magnavox's finest portable record player circa 1966-69. He didn't collect that "junk".

I had a good suburban upbringing, we had what we needed, and two great parents, but little in the line of luxury. That trip in the summer of 1969 started me down the long beautiful Magnificent Magnavox road, from their pocket transistors, to the biggest and finest consoles. I love GE audio too, as well as many other late great sets. Thanks for the advice, and for being another Magnavox Fan!

I will try the screw on the cartridge again, maybe this time with my full weight on the screwdriver, and try the plier trick again too. I will not be using WD-40, as I sadly recall a time when I found out the hard way what it does to plastics!

If you use the WD-40 sparingly, you're only dealing with metal to metal screw and mounting section...don't let it trickle down toward the plastic cartridge. I learned years ago to use this stuff for squeaky door hinges and similar mechanical issues, taboo for electronic applications.--BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

I'm going to try a dab of Liquid Wrench on it, and plastic avoidance of that and WD-40 duly noted. I'll keep the progress posted on it. Fortunately it's not a giant priority.

Bobby Basham wrote:Hello and Welcome, Fasteddie!!!

Since you joined this board recently, you should read some of the older posts. I'm sure you'll find your answer there. You didn't state what model turntable you have. You can find many different turntables and cartridges in these Astro-Sonics, many with the same cabinets that ran for several years.

Be more specific..."I have a W621 turntable (located on the underside), with an EV275/Astatic 165D cartridge." Notice that the cartridge may have an ElectroVoice EV275 and a Magnavox 560345 number. That helps for cross-referencing. There is, at least from all the turntables in my consoles, a single screw that fastens the arm to the post. Just don't put any tension on those cartridge wires once you have the arm removed. I hope the first 3 pics help, and there are a host of wonderful, knowledgeable folks that will chime in, too. I am no Tech. --BB

Bobby Basham
Tucson, Arizona

This was really a very informative thing for me.
Thanks dear.