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Pilot/Garrard console - umm what do I do with this thing?

I'm afraid it is 2... and it's as light as it can go 4.2, if it's a new diamond stylus should I fear playing new records on it? So far I've been using 2nd hand vinyl I'm not attached to. But I have some new 180g albums I'm worried about wrecking. I was hoping to get it as light as I could without compromising sound but looks like 4.2 is best this thing can do unless I'm missing something?
4.2 grams is about right for that record player. If you go too light the changer operation may be compromised. 4.2 grams will not damage your records if the stylus is good. If the stylus is worn the records can be easily damaged.
 
4.2 grams is about right for that record player. If you go too light the changer operation may be compromised. 4.2 grams will not damage your records if the stylus is good. If the stylus is worn the records can be easily damaged.
Cool beans, it is a brand new stylus picked up from Gary on VM site. I've been manually feeding this thing records, no stacking yet. I noticed that the changer isn't holding records horizontally they just kinda flop there on the spindle. I haven't cared enough yet to play with it. Thanks for info! Will give new records a go!
 
3 I think is lift height, 1 is set-down position. 2 looks like it would be adjusting tension on the spring to change tracking force. If its stuck, flip the arm up and see if you can get some oil on the threads. If its rusted together it won't take much to snap it off, then you've really got troubles.

you have to swing the over-arm down onto the stack otherwise they sort of flop around. The over-arm will put a bit of pressure on the stack to keep it flat. It also will tell the changer when the stack is done so it shuts down at the end.

as for checking things for the balance, I think you'd have better luck with a scope or even a good AC voltmeter to compare signal strength channel to channel rather than in-circuit testing. It would lead you to the area much quicker, and if you can see a drop from one side of a cap to the other thats all the testing that needs to be done to prove the cap is bad. Even one of those old style signal tracers would get it done, inject a tone to one of the inputs, and listen on the signal tracer until you find where it starts to show a difference in level. Thats how I'd do it anyway.
 
Got my deox! Plan on cleaning the heck out of the Grrard/Pilot console tomorrow and reporting back!

I also picked up another project it's a GE upright. Speakers pop out as stand alones... I've seen a few pics online of similar ones but no info or manual. It's a model G504g.

Yall come across these before?
 

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3 I think is lift height, 1 is set-down position. 2 looks like it would be adjusting tension on the spring to change tracking force. If its stuck, flip the arm up and see if you can get some oil on the threads. If its rusted together it won't take much to snap it off, then you've really got troubles.

you have to swing the over-arm down onto the stack otherwise they sort of flop around. The over-arm will put a bit of pressure on the stack to keep it flat. It also will tell the changer when the stack is done so it shuts down at the end.

as for checking things for the balance, I think you'd have better luck with a scope or even a good AC voltmeter to compare signal strength channel to channel rather than in-circuit testing. It would lead you to the area much quicker, and if you can see a drop from one side of a cap to the other thats all the testing that needs to be done to prove the cap is bad. Even one of those old style signal tracers would get it done, inject a tone to one of the inputs, and listen on the signal tracer until you find where it starts to show a difference in level. Thats how I'd do it anyway.
I'll be picking one up then! Thanks for the guidance!

I have noticed now that I've had it for a bit when I first turn it on it sounds pretty good but after about an hour or so of continuous play static starts coming through. Even when nothing is running (radio/TT) and it's just sitting on everything is quiet but after it warms up static static static
 
Hey guys I'm back!

Took an aircan to the accumulated dust in the receiver. Got my deox, cleaned the pots. Turn each knob like 100 times each as recommended. Waited 30 mins powered it on and the speakers have come to life I'm so very excited albums sound really good now! Thanks!

1 issue... I'm so perplexed. My radio won't work anymore. I didn't spray down the phono/radio switch nor the tuner, I did however exercise them along with the other knobs but I get zero signal now. What the heck happened?
 
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Hey guys I'm back!

Took an aircan to the accumulated dust in the receiver. Got my deox, cleaned the pots. Turn each knob like 100 times each as recommended. Waited 30 mins powered it on and the speakers have come to life I'm so very excited records sound really good now! Thanks!

1 issue... I'm so perplexed. My radio won't work anymore. I didn't spray down the phono/radio switch nor the tuner, I did however exercise them along with the other knobs but I get zero signal now. What the heck happened?

Okay so I fiddled.... cleaned it up having nothing to lose and it's working again! Moving onto my other little project... the GE upright console.
 
I have the complete manufacturer's documentation. It's for a 5B505 model, I think there variations. The console I had looked just like yours. I've scanned the sheets at 600 dpi, which made for some large files. They're a bit odd as the pamphlet was a folded sheet thing, page 3 continues on page 10, some schematics are split between 2 sheets, etc. If i still have the software for the old flatbed scanner, I could set it up some day, blah, blah. The files are too large to upload here. PM me with your email and I should be able to send them.
 
Maybe this will bring her back. She is very pretty (assuming that's she in her avatar). Am I going to be called a sexist, misogynist, or any of the other choice terms, now?

I need to say I hope she's OK, too.

Doug
 
I have the complete manufacturer's documentation. It's for a 5B505 model, I think there variations. The console I had looked just like yours. I've scanned the sheets at 600 dpi, which made for some large files. They're a bit odd as the pamphlet was a folded sheet thing, page 3 continues on page 10, some schematics are split between 2 sheets, etc. If i still have the software for the old flatbed scanner, I could set it up some day, blah, blah. The files are too large to upload here. PM me with your email and I should be able to send them.

Hey there! I'd totally be interested in these docs for sure. Thanks a bunch for offering! PM my email here soon for us. Awesome!
 
Maybe this will bring her back. She is very pretty (assuming that's she in her avatar). Am I going to be called a sexist, misogynist, or any of the other choice terms, now?

I need to say I hope she's OK, too.

Doug

I can take a compliment haha thank you much, yes that is my mug! I dipped out for a bit having started a new job and stuff. Still have to get my GE unit spiffed up. You all here have been so helpful!

Ty!
 
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I had one of those Pilot receivers, a console pull with no cover. I liked its style. But mine hissed on all inputs. It has mostly germanium transistors so I passed on restoring it and moved it along. If yours is playing nicely the best thing for it is to use it often.
 
My old Sony reel to reel is all Germanium and it was really hissy too. I got vast improvements out of replacing all of the old carbon comp resistors on the amp boards, possible similar results could be obtained with the Pilot. There is still residual noise from the GE transistors but a before/after measurement showed about a 20db drop in noise which is pretty significant.

and no it was not the most fun thing I've ever done, but at least with the Sony the two amp boards unplug and are only about 3" square so it wasn't at all difficult to actually do. Just a lot of junk packed in there.
 
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