Rek-O-Kut B-12H rondine with mystery arm

[visman]

I have joined the Rek-O-Kut club with a nice Rek-O-Kut B-12H rondine. It will require some cleaning and proper maintenance for sure. It looks like this table sat in someones garage for many moons. Motor works at all speeds and even the light works. Platter spins forever after turning off.

I am at a loss for the tonearm and cartridge make:scratch2: - the tonearm has the appearance of a Rek-O-Kut but has no such markings - there is a unique marking on the base.

Can anyone help me identify these?

Here are some pics - yes that was the price at my local thrift (nice of them to mark the base huh)?

 

[Ohighway]

Looks like a Rek o kut transcription tonearm.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

It is a Rek-O-Kut transcription tonearm. A 16" model at that with an unusual mounting arrangement. This tonearm design was manufactured up to 1990 by Broadcast Electronics who purchased the design from Rek-O-Kut. Very good tonearm which was commonly used in AM and FM broadcasting.

 

[visman]

Thank you - that is really really great news!


Any thoughts on the cartridge - it also appears unmarked - but my guess is it's worthy of a new stylus ...

 

[jwrosenthal]

Second on the ROK 16" aka S-160 :

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/rek-o-kut/s-160.shtml

It's a highly coveted arm, and worth more than your table....but in combination with your table should sound glorious!! Plus, it looks like you have an Empire cart with original stlyus....very nice indeed.

If you haven't already done the homework and overhaul, take your time and do it right. This table, when everything is buttoned up (all new rubber all around, cleaned and re-aligned, oiled and lubed), should rival current tables in the $1k+ category, and pummel any belt-driven table for pacing and rhythmic drive...that's what these idler-drive tables are known for.

There's plenty of info on tweaks and mod's available out there to bring down the rumble and dampen the plinth, so if you can't find those resources, give a shout here, and we'll point you in the right direction.

James R.

 

[clydeselsor]

The adapter for the transcription arm is a very rare item! The cartridge appears to be an Empire, but I am not sure of the model. Very nice turntable!

 

[spartanmanor]

Congratulations on a great new table to you. IMO The B12H ranks up there with the Thorens Td-124 and Garrard 301.......Having all three I should know.

 

[orthophonic]

The Cartidge is a Pickering U38 or 380, I forget which. Very musical from the early 60's.
Congrats n the B-12H, wonderful table, I have three of them, blows my 301 away in
almost every respect.

 

[cableguy]

very nice table...

 

[visman]

Orthophnic - you are correct on the cartridge - it's marked:
Stanton Stereo Fluxvalve
Model 380
Pickering & Co.
Plainview, NY

 

[djnagle]

That will look beautiful when you get it cleaned up. I'd use MAAS cleaner and polisher on the arm and all the other metals. It is a hand rub paste you can get and your local motorcycle shop.

 

[visman]

djnagle - thanks for that - I was wondering the best way to clean the arm.

 

[jwrosenthal]

That will look beautiful when you get it cleaned up. I'd use MAAS cleaner and polisher on the arm and all the other metals. It is a hand rub paste you can get and your local motorcycle shop.

And for the wood use tung oil and 000 steel wool. For the platter mat, wash with soapy water, then use Maguires #40 rubber and vinyl treatment (should be available at the same motorcycle shop or good car parts shops). It leaves a satin finish (not that cheap glossy look), and actually treats the rubber rather than being topical. Once you wipe it off, it won't leave a residue.

James R.

 

[watt]

Congrats! I found my ROK B12 about a month or so ago, and it's an absolute pleasure to work on.

 

[visman]

Status on my Rek-O-Kut Rondine

Here are some new pictures of my REK-O-Kut.

Work to date includes cleaning, lubricating, new stylus, new mounting screws (old ones could not be cleaned), new homemade feet (drilled rubber stops with felt tips), new cables (old ones were just too brittle).

Just working on dialing in the Stanton Fluxvalve 380 - seems a bit of a challange on the tracking weight (4 grams seems about right).

My next thought is to remove the tonearm have it rewired and then have it and the arm rest rechromed - but that's in the future.

Great turntable and a real pleasure to work on.:yes:

 

[nu2toobs]

Great job on the cleaning! The table looks fantastic.