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BSR record changer with some tracking force issues

R

radiotron_

Member
I’m looking for help with a BSR record changer that has tracking force issues... I’ve replaced the cartridge as part of a restoration of it and all I can do to keep the tracking force away from “Cantilever-crushing” levels is by blu-tacking several coins to the back. Is there any way I could fix this, like a spring? As the coins keep falling off. It’s a Sanyo TP70S (a BSR record changer in a Sanyo base.)
 
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Any chance its missing a counterweight? Some pics might help. Changers without the movable counterweight usually set tracking force with a spring. If that is unhooked or connected wrong it might do it too.
 
gadget73 said:
Any chance its missing a counterweight? Some pics might help. Changers without the movable counterweight usually set tracking force with a spring. If that is unhooked or connected wrong it might do it too.
Click to expand...

Mine came with no counterweight but there is a spring under. I’ll take some pictures.
 
When I took this thing home months ago, I tried fiddling about with it to get the tracking weight right and the whole tonearm came off :(
We took it to-believe it or not-a person who’s trained in repairing phones and laptops to get it fixed, and yeah, he got it back in working order but the tracking issue is still there. This was when I had extremely limited knowledge of record players in general, so I was too afraid to fix it myself.
Edit: it has always had this issue, but the ceramic cartridge was totally rotted so I replaced it. It works if I use a makeshift counterweight, but that falls off constantly. The back of the tonearm has a small hole in it.
 
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BSR was not a maker of high-end turntables and the one you have appears to be one of their entry-level efforts. I don't know that it was originally available with a magnetic cartridge and this may be the source of your problem, in terms of the higher tracking force required by a ceramic. The table may not be compatible with its new cartridge. However, I'm far from being a savvy turntable tech so if you're determined to make it work you may wish to hold out for another opinion.

Regardless, even if it were in perfect working order, I doubt you'd be satisfied with its performance. At least not for long. If it were mine, I think I'd start over and set my sights a little higher.
 
You're missing a spring and these used the clip type adapters to hold the cartridge. I modern cartridge made for a 1/2" mount is usually too tall for this type of arm.
 
Edit: Nope, wait... ignore everything I just said. Seems like that spring is supposed to be there...
Oops...
Okay, new spring AND knob, haha
Thanks for your help guys!
 

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I do not think that a tracking force spring, even in a BSR, is supposed to take on the shape of the drain pipe under the sink. Needs to be straight.
 
NoTransistors said:
I do not think that a tracking force spring, even in a BSR, is supposed to take on the shape of the drain pipe under the sink. Needs to be straight.
Click to expand...

Earlier, I was thinking someone had installed that spring wrong, turns out it’s supposed to Be there. So I edited my message to not look like a dolt, haha
 
I saw one of two tabs meant for the spring. We both agree that one is required. But not like that. BTW, where are you from? DOLT is not part of American vernacular.
 
That turntable looks like the very first iteration sold as the Realistic Lab-12 in the late 60's by Radio Shack. They did come with a magnetic cartridge and there was a counterweight pressed into the back of tbe tonearm. There may have been a setscrew tracking adjustment under the arm, but we never touched it. The cart was supposed to track at 3-5 grams.
 
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