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BIC Turntables

tnsilver said:
OK, BIC fans, here's a question for you guys... I had a Thorens TD-160 for service and it came with a near perfect dust cover. A closer look revealed the colorful BIC logo at the center so I figured I was on to a viable Thorens dust cover alternative, except I never saw one like this again. Which model BIC had a Thorens like dust cover (with those slit ears for pin type hinges)?
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I got a 20z from a neighbor and it had the type of cover you are describing. I still have the cover if you need pics or measurements.
 
tnsilver said:
OK, BIC fans, here's a question for you guys... I had a Thorens TD-160 for service and it came with a near perfect dust cover. A closer look revealed the colorful BIC logo at the center so I figured I was on to a viable Thorens dust cover alternative, except I never saw one like this again. Which model BIC had a Thorens like dust cover (with those slit ears for pin type hinges)?
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Like this? It would appear that those came with the more deluxe plinth option.

Vintage-BIC-Model-940-Belt-Drive-Manual-Turntable-_1.jpg
 
The Thorens had pins out the side with 'ear' extensions at the back of the sides to engage the pins. So different from yours which has more conventional hinges.
 
^^^ You're welcome. This cover is off of a 20Z which was a 10" platter model. I don't know anything about the other tables in the Z series though. Maybe the 40Z or above have full sized platters and larger plinths/covers. :dunno:
 
The only other BIC table with extensions with slots in them to engage pins sticking out the sides of the base is the 920. I have one but it's not here so I can;t measure the dimensions.

Doug
 
I like BIC turntables but I can tell you from long experience with them that QC at the factory was hit-or-miss and many suffered from problems right out of the box. One problem was that the bottom plate of the motor would fall off due to defective adhesives. That's a very easy fix. Overall, the BICs were very easy to work on - much simpler than a DUAL. Dealers had a high rate of returns due to the the brand's workmanship problems, which caused problems and eventually led to the brand's demise. A dealer I was in close contact with sold BIC and Technics and the Technics outsold the BIC about 10 to 1, despite being similarly priced.

The "Z" model BICs had an interesting design but I think many potential buyers were turned off by the plasticky slate-colored base. I had a Z50: it worked well and the adjustable suspension was unique.

Basically, any BIC that lasted past the first 90 days was a keeper.
 
I have a 40z in FedEx's hands as we type. Bought it on the cheap because I'm tired of playing my collection on a rotating collection of glorified toys. Can't wait to get it in and tear into it for a relube. Glad to see they're universally beloved.
 
IMG_9159.JPG IMG_9161.JPG Well...that was fast. Table and NOS Pickering V15 Micro IV landed within minutes of one another. I had some downtime this afternoon so I got her spinning quick. Starts slow, but once she gets going I hear zero defects. I'm just a casual listener, probably have half the ear of most of y'all. Nice piece of kit, as they say in places that aren't Texas.
 
Well, I spoke too soon. After about an hour of play, it started bogging down, hard. Thanks to this fine forum, I knew exactly what to do. Pulled the platter, removed the carrier bearing (using a proprietary "bent hairpin" tool, patent pending), and removed all the old shellac with rubbing alcohol then a soak in PB Blaster. Relubed the bearing and platter shaft with white lithium grease. It's currently bedtime for the rest of the house, but I was able to spin a few minutes of one 180 g disk that gave it problems before. Seems to have worked like a charm.
 
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The BIC series with the adjustable suspension is the VIA series. They have bases which vary from silver to a medium gray as opposed to the Z series tables which have black bases.

Doug
 
Doug G. said:
The BIC series with the adjustable suspension is the VIA series. They have bases which vary from silver to a medium gray as opposed to the Z series tables which have black bases.

Doug
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My Z photographs nearly black but is in fact charcoal. I like it. Fits my minimalist aesthetic. If I have an aesthetic.
 
Working 940

Just plugged it in to try out. Won recently, and cleaned a little. Sounds great. The turntable came with a Shure realistic R47xt cartridge and broken stylus. I put on a Shure M74cs and new stylus.

Yes, I screwed the head-shell down.
 

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zoombrewer77 said:
View attachment 1369249 View attachment 1369250 Well...that was fast. Table and NOS Pickering V15 Micro IV landed within minutes of one another. I had some downtime this afternoon so I got her spinning quick. Starts slow, but once she gets going I hear zero defects. I'm just a casual listener, probably have half the ear of most of y'all. Nice piece of kit, as they say in places that aren't Texas.
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Great. A nice combination.
 
vinylGirlFl said:
Working 940

Just plugged it in to try out. Won recently, and cleaned a little. Sounds great. The turntable came with a Shure realistic R47xt cartridge and broken stylus. I put on a Shure M74cs and new stylus.

Yes, I screwed the head-shell down.
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Glad it’s going. They sound good with Shures. After all you have been through, it gets easier on future projects. Just finished a Garrard for a customer. The first one back in the 70s drove me crazy. This one not bad. Installed a dishwasher last night. Not hard, but bending the knees and back. Not so good. Bardered helping me plant a grass plant.just the thought makes my back yell. Enjoy the the BIC.

Eric
 
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stereofisher said:
Glad it’s going. They sound good with Shures. After all you have been through, it gets easier on future projects. Just finished a Garrard for a customer. The first one back in the 70s drove me crazy. This one not bad. Installed a dishwasher last night. Not hard, but bending the knees and back. Not so good. Bordered, helping me plant a grass plant.just the thought makes my back yell. Enjoy the the BIC.

Eric
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Dear Eric,

You are always so kind! Thank you. I wish I possessed all of your turntable repair skills! Believe it or not, I have removed/installed a garbage disposal lol

Still don’t have the 920 up to play just yet! Enjoy your day and may the week shine for you, my friend!
 
vinylGirlFl said:
Dear Eric,

You are always so kind! Thank you. I wish I possessed all of your turntable repair skills! Believe it or not, I have removed/installed a garbage disposal lol

Still don’t have the 920 up to play just yet! Enjoy your day and may the week shine for you, my friend!
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You will get there skill wise. Jumping is the first step. Wish I had Notrasistors (Seth) skill level. Tone arms and cues on Duals! Wow! Hands are too big and too old! Did a garbage disposer once. Worked 1 week then fell off the sink. Had a few words about that.

E
 
stereofisher said:
You will get there skill wise. Jumping is the first step. Wish I had Notrasistors (Seth) skill level. Tone arms and cues on Duals! Wow! Hands are too big and too old! Did a garbage disposer once. Worked 1 week then fell off the sink. Had a few words about that.

E
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Haha!!
 
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