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Inherited Console

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Patuney

New Member
Hello Everybody - I just inherited my grandmother's Magnavox tuner/turntable console. I love it, but the turntable has no needle and I can't figure out what to buy or how to replace it. From looking on these forums I think that it is a Magnavox Micromatic W620 (pictures attached). There are no product numbers or serial numbers visible on the outside of the turntable or console.

I know literally nothing about turntables. Like say the difference between a needle, stylus, or cartridge. Or what I am supposed to buy. Or how to install it. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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You might want to review this thread:
http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=207239

And welcome to the forum! :)

oh, and for reference, here is a picture below from a Motorola Console turntable. This picture shows (from left to right): Headshell, cartridge and stylus/needle...
picture.php


The headshell attaches to the tonearm.
The cartridge attaches to the headshell.
The stylus/needle (in this case) inserts into the cartridge and contains the diamond/sapphire/whatever that contacts your record.

Needles need to be replaced every-so-often.
Cartridges don't always have to be replaced - unless the needle is built-in. These older models can often have the needle replaced without also replacing the cartridge.

The specific example in my picture might not be great because it's a bit of an odd cartridge - but maybe it gives enough info to help you picture the differences.

Good luck!
Have Fun!
:yes:
 
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Patuney said:
Hello Everybody - I just inherited my grandmother's Magnavox tuner/turntable console. I love it, but the turntable has no needle and I can't figure out what to buy or how to replace it. From looking on these forums I think that it is a Magnavox Micromatic W620 (pictures attached). There are no product numbers or serial numbers visible on the outside of the turntable or console.

I know literally nothing about turntables. Like say the difference between a needle, stylus, or cartridge. Or what I am supposed to buy. Or how to install it. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Need the model number and photos.
 
Thanks guys. Sorry for the slow response. Attached are photos. I can't find a model number. I am sure there is one inside the cabinet or on the bottom of the turntable, but I am a little reluctant to start pulling it apart - I know that is not in keeping with the spirit of the folks on this site. If I do need to do one of those things what is the easiest? Taking off the back of the console, or unscrewing the turntable? Is there anything I need to be aware of if I do that, like some spring that is going to pop out never to be replaced?

I would be pretty happy if it is no big deal to unscrew the turntable since then I could easily take it to a friend who could help me get in good working order.
 

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See the three phillips screws on the turntable? Underneath them are retainers that have to be moved 90 degrees. Basically move them so they will be facing to the bottom instead of the side as you are looking underneath from behind the console. They will need to slip through the holes the screws go through. You will have to take the back off first. There is probably two or possibly three connectors from the turntable to the amplifier that need to be disconnected. Then it should lift right out. You may have to back off on the screws some to make it easier.
 
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Before pulling the turntable out of the console --

See if you can lift the tonearm up enough to get a picture of the cartridge and post it here.

If it's a Magnavox, then it's almost guaranteed that it's an EV cartridge. Some of them have a long metal "tail" extending back towards the pivot. That will make it easier to identify if that's what it is.
 
Take off the back of the console.
Get a flashlight, and poke your head in there.
Twist in ungodly fashion so that you can look up at the bottom of that turntable.
Make note of any model number you may see on the bottom of the turntable itself.

I don't know about Magnavox, but the Voice of Music company did make a lot of turntables for consoles (as far as I understand it). In the case of VoM, you can find the model number by following these instructions:
http://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/do_i_have_vm.html#record

As others have said, the screws you see from the top of the turntable are "transport screws" and once you open the back, and look up from the underside, you'll see those retainers that need to be flipped. You'll probably also have to unplug the RCA and power couplings if/when you want to get the turntable out.

But all this requires you to start from the back and get a good look around.

And don't be afraid of a spring popping out, you don't want to beat on the thing, but these old changers are a wonder of mechanics and fairly rugged.

Roll up your sleeves, and dive in. :)
 
Magnavox liked Collaro changers so much, they bought the company. Gary Stork at thevoiceofmusic.com may very well have parts for this, if you need them. Like all old changers, it's going to need a degrease and relube before steady (or sometimes any) use.
 
Just to point out the obvious, if all the OP needs is a stylus, he doesn't need to pulling the changer just yet.
 
I appreciate the advice. Attached are the pictures of the cartridge. It would be great if I could avoid taking anything apart.
 

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Patuney said:
Thanks guys. but I am a little reluctant to start pulling it apart - I know that is not in keeping with the spirit of the folks on this site.
Click to expand...

My spirit tells me not to go around taking things apart if I know absolutely nothing about it, or if I'm unsure of my ability to do so. Unless it's something that's completely dead that I know I can't get fixed any other way... OR I just really don't care if I accidentally break it.

I've got a turntable that's automatic that in the least needs to be taken apart and cleaned/lubed... possibly needing a motor replacement. I have been very cautious in taking it apart since there are so many levers and springs and clips etc... I started by removing the top and bottom covers and just taking a look at all that's inside (that I could see without further disassembly), since then I've dug a little deeper a couple of times, both on top and bottom which is gradually giving me more confidence and helping me memorize how everything goes back together. I also have the manual for it, and go back to looking at the exploded views repeatedly trying to wrap my brain around what I'm looking at.

Tinkering with things can be a lot of fun but it can also be very frustrating, for me at least. Especially when things that look like they're going to be simple turn into a major headache or you end up turning your project into a big paper weight. I knew just a tad more than you about turntables when I recently got started in this, in that I already knew what a stylus was, but didn't know it was separate from the cartridge, or that what the cartridge is connected to was called a headshell.

Not knowing the terminology makes it harder to know what questions to ask, so what I did was start looking into what all the parts of a turntable are, figuring out how to find a manual for the table, or if one is even available. And then started asking questions here... because I don't think it's possible to google a question about turntables without AudioKarma showing up at the top of the results, which I'd say is a testament to what a great site this is.

I don't think anyone here would look down on your for being afraid to work on something if you're not confident in your skills. Heck I've been seeking out things to fix that require soldering just for practice so I can build up my soldering skills enough to be confident enough in myself to take a stab at dealing with the very very fine tonearm wires.
 
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