Re: turntables

["George Brock-Nannestad" <gbn.av@xxxxxxxx>]

The issue of replacing vs. rebuilding equipment is interesting, not 
the least because the doctrine of simplicity always states that 
analog (even mechanical) recordings are based on a much more 
durable principle, because "it will always be possible to build a 
replay machine from scratch". As opposed to digital equipment 
where you need the large-scale integration of dedicated circuits to 
make the machine work in real time.

There may be good reasons to repair an old transcription turntable 
rather than replacing it. Certainly there are models of the EMT 
series (Barco) which are not worth repairing, because they were 
not very well designed mechanically from the beginning. If a 
turntable has main bearing problems repair will be expensive. If the 
drive motor has not been maintained, then the repair of that will be 
dependent on the cost of replacing its bearings. Sagging 
suspension grommets may be a minor matter, however their 
elasticity plus damping may have been an important design feature 
originally and difficult to emulate. The intermediate wheel which is 
ground to shape and has to have very precise qualities will of 
course be the most difficult to obtain. However, if the other 
mechanical components are good, then a repair would be 
worthwhile and help to retain mechanical skills a little longer in a 
world where replacement is the rule.

Access to an interested and versatile workshop is essential, 
however it will frequently be found in a university environment.

Bearing problems will display themselves as increased rumble - a 
stop-gap remedy would be to use SAE 80 gearbox oil.

How frequently do you calibrate your pick-ups?

Best wishes,


George Brock-Nannestad
Preservation Tactics