Phonoland

I was playing my 1954 The Fisher model 101 record player today, And into about 30 to 40 minutes of play it started squealing and then it started smoking out the back very lightly? Have always heard about this but never actually seen it happen. What would be the cause of this?

Lack of maintenance.
Ron Rich

I've been telling people that using Unrestored Vintage equipment such as this is like playing with a Ticking Time Bomb.
And there you have it.
I fail to understand why people would use something "as-is" without using common sense and having it restored.


And now, the costs to restore it have probably doubled.

Matt,
There are several reasons for that--Inexperience is the largest one--human nature is another--
My least favorite words are "It worked yesterday", and "it just got stuck"---Oh, and, "It probably only needs a small adjustment--"
Live and learn ! Ron Rich

Laying all the above responses aside, which I happen to agree with, your problem is most likely that one or more electrolytic capacitors pooped the bed. They are relatively cheap, $5.00 or so. The trouble is, what did the failed capacitors take with them? Resistors = $, tubes = $$ or a power transformer = $$$ ? Now, you will have to do that which should have been done before. Have it restored. Either by you or a competent technician. Bear in mind that a used, rewound or NOS transformer may cost as much as the restoration itself. The good news is it didn't burn down your house. If you do restore it, make sure to install an inline fuse to protect it. Component failure is not considered an optimum safety device. Keep us up to date on how you make out.

Ron Rich wrote:Matt,
There are several reasons for that--Inexperience is the largest one--human nature is another--
My least favorite words are "It worked yesterday", and "it just got stuck"---Oh, and, "It probably only needs a small adjustment--"
Live and learn ! Ron Rich

Well Ronnie baby, this is why I continually try to educate and drive home the fact that these units are way past a safe, reliable and functioning condition.
Perhaps if the word gets spread around enough, people will take heed of the fact, and have these things restored before major damage is done.

P.S. Smoke a Fisher Output or Power Transformer from the tube era, expect to pay $400-$500 for a rewind. Not cheap. Expert servicing could have prevented that failure. And no new replacement transformers easily had. Be forewarned.