Philco 1934 R/P question

[DavGoodlin]

Hi Guys, I 33-78 RPM player with a suspect cartridge. Its the kind that takes the removable needles (non-stylus)
Philco 501 lid.jpg

It measures open using a VOM but I don't know if its supposed to.
There is no sound from it and this radio has the switch on the side so you can quiet the RP when changing the needle.

If its bad, where can I get a replacement?

Thanks

[ChuckA]

That's a General Industries changer in there, looks like a crystal pickup. They are always bad after 70+ years. You can have it rebuilt by West -Tech Services:

http://www.west-techservices.com/p1.htm

BTW it is a 78 only player, if it does happen to have the gear change for 33 rpm it's not for modern 33 LP's.

Chuck

[DavGoodlin]

Thanks much Chuck, it does have the 33 rpm also.

I have some of those early "long playing" records so i know what you mean.

[DavGoodlin]

I contacted WestTech and it will cost $45 to have my Astatic M22 rebuilt.

A stylus will cost an extra $15 but I seem to have lots of them tho its hard to tell if they're still OK

[Phototone]

If you are just going to play older 78rpm records, and it has the thumb-screw for needle removal, you can just use the standard steel needles available from multiiple sources. You should change the needle frequently, as they are designed to be ground-down by the abrasive built-into the shellac records to conform to the grooves, and should ideally not be used more than once. However, since this is a lighter-weight crystal cartridge, you might be OK playing several records on one steel needle.

[Reece]

Check out this thread describing how to rebuild the cartridge yourself for practically nothing.

http://antiqueradios.com/forums/view...p?f=9&t=210753

[Dangler]

Originally Posted by Reece

Check out this thread describing how to rebuild the cartridge yourself for practically nothing.

http://antiqueradios.com/forums/view...p?f=9&t=210753

That is WAY beyond my fat fingered, shaky hands level of skill.

[Reece]

I have one in a Philco wireless record player that I want to try one day. I've got the piezo element in a glass jar waiting for it. It's been waiting for years...

[DavGoodlin]

I just got mine back in the mail. I also had speaker rebuilt. Normally I would not spend the $$$, but this is not a common Philco.

Once I get everything back together, i will post some pictures.

Reece, that surgery-job looks doable if you can cut the piezo element without damaging it. I hope that works when you finally get around to it.

[Reece]

I'm thinking the way to cut that element would be to use a new razor knife and a straight edge, keep scoring away without pressing too hard, changing blade as needed.