Rebuilding and facelifting a BSR Changer

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

So a few weeks back, I picked up a Lloyds all-in-one with the original speakers, and it was originally equipped with a BSR C129R changer. That one had a standard headshell, and equipped with a BSR SC7M cartridge (less common configuration than the Tetrad headshell variant).

For the time being, I put in my rebuilt MA-65, until yesterday:

I had a BSR C129R2 that I had as wall art, and a C123R2 that was also being used as wall art. After finding some spare tonearm wires, I finally decided to restore and upgrade the changer, so it would go back into the Lloyds:

C129R2 on the left, C129R on the right

C129R on the left, C123R2 on the right:

Since the C129 and the C123 are essentially identical, except with the latter featuring anti-skate, I decided to use the C123R2 for the facelift and restoration. After swapping parts, and installing a 4-pole motor, these were the results:

The mechanism itself was also replaced, using one from a C134, which ran smoother, and could trigger the velocity trip mechanism at a much lower tracking force:

And now time to put it back in the Lloyds:

Even though it's still using a ceramic cartridge, I can later on install a preamp and install a magnetic cartridge if i wanted to. I'm satisfied with how the project turned out. I guess you can call it a C129R3 or a C123R3.

 

[jusmee]

Good work. Always been a Garrard man myself, but those units look quite handsome too.

You should try one of those cheap AT3600L carts we have been talking about. They work great in changers that have been fixed up.

 

[xXSHADoW93Xx]

Good work. Always been a Garrard man myself, but those units look quite handsome too.

You should try one of those cheap AT3600L carts we have been talking about. They work great in changers that have been fixed up.

I actually have a Shure M75CS laying around original to the C123R2 changer.