SL-QL1 Muting Circuit issue

[Trance88]

Hey everyone. I've got a bit of an issue with what I believe is the muting circuit. When the stylus hits the record, I can hear the music, somewhat muffled, coming out of just the left channel for a second until the sound fully engages out of both channels. When the stylus is at home position and I brush it with my finger, I can also hear sound coming out of just the left channel. Its a small issue, but I was wondering is there an easy way to fix this?

 

[Gary Francks]

Sounds like the muting relay has dodgy contacts.
IIRC it's supposed to short the it wires for each channel to ground when ever the arm is moving or cueing.
I sometimes have a similar problem on my S-L7 where it fails to mute one or both channels.
If anybody knows of a suitable easy fit replacement then I'd like to know.

 

[goodolpg]

Just tried some drops with my SL-QL1.
Left channel makes sound first then the right channel.
As far as I can remember it's always been that way.

Just ran a stylus brush across the needle, no sound, but I'm pretty sure sometimes sound was produced when cleaning the needle in the past as it made me turn the volume down when cleaning the stylus.

I see the OP has G.R. as a location.
My SL-QL1 was bought new at Highland Appliance on 28th street in Feb. 1983.

 

[Trance88]

Just tried some drops with my SL-QL1.
Left channel makes sound first then the right channel.
As far as I can remember it's always been that way.

Just ran a stylus brush across the needle, no sound, but I'm pretty sure sometimes sound was produced when cleaning the needle in the past as it made me turn the volume down when cleaning the stylus.

I see the OP has G.R. as a location.
My SL-QL1 was bought new at Highland Appliance on 28th street in Feb. 1983.

Oh damn! Small world! I wonder what Highland Appliance is now. I'm pretty sure that store isn't still there.

 

[goodolpg]

Late 70's to around the late 80's, there were 5 stereo places on about a 2 mile stretch of 28th street west from the malls.
Highland, Fretter, Lafayette, Classic Stereo and another shop I can't remember the name of.
I used to go from shop to shop taking notes and getting "best price" on gear.
Back then sales people could make "adjustments" to the prices at many of those shops.
They'd say "Let me talk to the manager" which meant they'd go out of sight and punch some numbers into a calculator or do figuring with paper and pen.
I'd say I'm here from an hour away and I will be taking home XXXXXXX today. What's your best price.