My Motorola SK28M Refurb thread

[SiliconTi]

Well, I thought I'd create a thread on my refurbishing of the SK28 I have. Hope it helps someone in the future.

I tripped across this SK28 in a junk shop. Managed to get it for $40 delivered. It is complete and original - untouched since new. The wood is about an 8/10, but the guts look great - even the serial # tags are still there. Here are some inside shots, external coming eventually. It does have the optional AM/FM tuner. Was told it works, we'll see.

Here are the exterior shots. Not in too bad a shape. It is complete.

The Good:

Turntable works

Has optional Receiver

it is complete, all parts and trim are there.

The bad:

The receiver does not work well, though it turns on and tunes a couple AM stations

the turntable has a bad channel - wavers up and down in volume (not the preamp/amp)

The amps right channel is a bit weaker than the left

I'll recap it then get a new needle for the 'table and see how she does.

 

[SiliconTi]

Spent some time last night and tonight cleaning it up. Found that the tuner sort of works. I've pulled it to recap and test the tubes.

The weak right channel may be a bad cap on the tweeter. I bypassed it for a short time and it seemed to help. Need to recap everything as soon as I can.

I'm quite surprised at the sound quality, even with the old components in it. Maybe those open baffle guys are on to something.

 

[SiliconTi]

Well, it has been a while since I've had a chance to play with this.

I intended on re-capping it, but just replaced the bad tubes instead. I did change the x-over caps.

Sounds very good - I'm really digging it.

 

[Marlin42]

Well, I thought I'd create a thread on my refurbishing of the SK28 I have. Hope it helps someone in the future.

I tripped across this SK28 in a junk shop. Managed to get it for $40 delivered. It is complete and original - untouched since new. The wood is about an 8/10, but the guts look great - even the serial # tags are still there. Here are some inside shots, external coming eventually. It does have the optional AM/FM tuner. Was told it works, we'll see.

Here are the exterior shots. Not in too bad a shape. It is complete.

The Good:

Turntable works

Has optional Receiver

it is complete, all parts and trim are there.

The bad:

The receiver does not work well, though it turns on and tunes a couple AM stations

the turntable has a bad channel - wavers up and down in volume (not the preamp/amp)

The amps right channel is a bit weaker than the left

I'll recap it then get a new needle for the 'table and see how she does.

Hello I'm also new to this site I just picked up the same model for free from Craigslist! They had taken the needle out already and I'm trying to figure out were to get one online. If you got yours replaced any help would be appreciated. I don't have the old one to compare.

 

[SiliconTi]

These guys have them:

https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com

 

[Marlin42]

These guys have them:

https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com

So my issue is my console is missing the original needle entirely. If you could link me to the exact one it would mean the world to me! Thank you for your help!!

 

[SiliconTi]

They have the cartridge and needles.

Do you mean the whole arm is missing?

 

[Marlin42]

I still have the arm but the previous owner took the needle out I'm assuming to try and replace it. So I have the arm and 3 wires not connected to anything on the underside at the end. This is my first record player so I'm very new to all of this. But I'm so excited to learn and get it up and going again.