Vintage Record Player Repair

[Dessery]

Hi All

First of all, Michael if this is a bit off topic, please feel free to remove it. I know there is a crazy amount of knowledgable people here though so I am hoping some one can help.

We were doing a house clearing at my grandparents place at the weekend and got a few good scores from my very musical Grandads collection, one of which is a 60s (I believe) Portadyne Record Player with a Garrard 2025 deck. I would love to get it up and running again but sadly when I plug it in I get no juice. I have put a new fuse and checked out the plug wiring but outside of that is a bit beyond my technical expertise.

Does any one know any trust worthy old school repair guys along the south coast that won't charge me the earth to get it looked at? I am in Southampton but willing to travel a little.

Many thanks
David

[Deleted]

So it sounds like the platter does not rotate, but is there an indicator bulb? Do you get any sound out of the speakers when you scratch the needle?

Notwithstanding if there is no power to the turntable, which would be odd, The turntable probably needs a new puck, which is a doable job for an amateur.

[Dessery]

Hi Fred

Thanks for your response. I don't get anything out of it at all, no sound, no spinning, nothing. Strangely the center of the deck seems of center too, I don't know if perhaps it's heated up and moved.

I'm handy enough with a soldering iron and willing to have a stab at something myself if I know what needs doing, but I don't even know where to begin.

It's not even overly obvious how it turns on, there are no switches or anything, I believe it's when you turn up the volume switch, but you don't get an obvious click or anything when you turn it up as you do with some dials.

I'll try and post some pics tomorrow if that helps.

Many thanks again
All the best
David

[Michael Messer]

David, I can't help with a repairer in your neck of the woods. I would say that if your record player is a Portadyne with a Garrard 2025, that it's from the 1970s, not the 60s.

Shine On
Michael

[Dessery]

Hi Michael

Thanks very much, that's good to know. And thank you for not minding me posting

All the best
David

[Deleted]

David,

The turntable in most cases runs directly off the mains, so unless the wiring is physically damaged, i would expect the motor to run, albeit with some help by spinning it by hand first.. I searched and saw a comment that said the turntable has a microswitch and a record must be loaded for it to run. So check that aspect.

[pete1951]

There may also be an internal fuse. If you don't feel completely confident about opening it up, get someone else to do it.
PT

[Deleted]

Not that this will be of use, but here's some advice from Frank Zappa...
"Some places in the Third World it might be difficult to dance to this because the kerosene record player is not a very efficient device, and a lot of times they run out of spunk right in the middle of the chorus. However we continue in spite of the fact that the fuel may be low on your record player. We suggest that in places like the Fourth World where things are really tough that you keep the record player going by rubbing two sticks together. And if all else fails, throw the record away..."
TT

[petej]

is it belt driven (big rubber band) if so it could have come off the pulley or is it direct drive where a big sort of wheel pushes against a spindle you wont hear any noise as its silent,take the turn table off and you should see
petej

[petej]

just found this video showing how to repair no power problems with garrard turntable hope it helps

petej

[Dessery]

Hi Guys

Thank you so much all for your responses. I really appreciate it!! I have bravely opened it all up this evening looking for things mentioned like internal fuses, rubber bands etc, as well as trying it with a record on, and trying to get it started by spinning it by hand, all with no avail.

I have found a manual online for it, but in all honesty it doesn't mean to much to me, I would attach it but they require a login on there site to download it and I don't want to share there gated content, but just on the off chance anyone is interested, its here www.vinylengine.com/library/garrard/2025.shtml.

I am attaching some pics too to help give an idea, of both the model and the inner workings.

Thank you all for your advice, I think I will probably end up taking in to a professional but really appreciate the input that I have had anyway

All the best
David

Attachments:

[Deleted]

It looks clean and not abused, so you might find someone with basic electronic skills to isolate the problem... I will caution you that it appears to me that the amplifier section is a series filament design, with no power transformer. This is considered to be a more-hazardous type of device in terms of electrical safety when handling it... If a tube is bad, it may disable the entire unit. Consider having the tubes tested. Again, I can only speculate since I dont have tne schematic.

But BE CAREFUL. Dont handle it while plugged in.

[Dessery]

Thank you Fred. I have to admit I have been concerned about potential safety issues so I have been extra careful about unplugging it before doing anything.

Interesting comments on the tube though, sadly I have no way of testing at the moment.

I think I will definitely take it somewhere to be looked at and see what can be done from a safety point of view too. It may be a little while before I am able to but I will keep you all posted on how I get on.

Thank you all for your input!!!

All the best
David

[Michael Messer]

David,

You have received some excellent advice from everyone. I am going add one extra bit. I have no understanding of electronics, but I have used vintage electrical equipment for as long as I can remember. In fact since before it was vintage!

This is much like National & Dobro guitar repair & restoration, there are very few people around who really know what they are doing with old valve/tube equipment. They think they know, but they don't. So when the time comes to get it restored, do your research and find the right person to do the job. I do know people, but they're not in your neck of the woods.

Back in the 60s and 70s, and even into the early 80s, you could have taken it down the road to your local radio repair shop and the guy in there would have put it on the shelf with TVs, kettles, hairdryers and other household electric equipment. He would have tied a luggage label to it with your name on it and a week later your record player would be ready to collect and in perfect working order!

Shine On
Michael.

[Stevie]

Those places still exist. There's one near where I used to work. He got in the part for me (with no apparent mark-up) and repaired the battery cover / door while I waited. Naturally I had to pay for the part, but fitting only cost me a few coins in the tea bag fund jar. I could fix it myself, but in a sentimental way, I'm going there again soon to get my stereo amp looked at. I hope he's still there. I also wish those responsible for levying business rates would take a long hard look in the mirror because everyone loses really, not just the "mom 'n' pop" stores.

e&oe...