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The Fisher 401

J

jrockvideo

Active Member
The Fisher 401 repair help

Hi, just bought a turntable The Fisher 401 for $20, hoping to restore it. I looked and it's a rebranded PE 2038. It's missing a cartridge and I need to figure out how to get power to it because it was pulled from a console system. If anyone knows how to fix these models that would be great. I'll post pics later, thanks all.
 
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PE repair... guy!!

Private message n' Jeff here at audio karma or contact seller 8126Todd on eBay. Quite talented,he knows his way around HE's. He re did my 2 PE 2040's. Let me know how it works out for you
 
A friend of mine was able to do a quick soldering of the power leads to see if the motor was good and it started up just fine. Still on the fence if I want to take the next steps because it needs a cartridge slide and base to fully work. I have too many units right now so might have to sell this one as is for someone else to restore. If someone thinks it's worth restoring let me know, thanks.
 
jrockvideo said:
A friend of mine was able to do a quick soldering of the power leads to see if the motor was good and it started up just fine. Still on the fence if I want to take the next steps because it needs a cartridge slide and base to fully work. I have too many units right now so might have to sell this one as is for someone else to restore. If someone thinks it's worth restoring let me know, thanks.
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I don't know if it's worth restoring, but it sure is cool looking!
 
Why not search out a cart slide so that you can test it for yourself, to see if you like the sound? You don't say what other tables you have, for us to compare this one to. If you haven't heard an idler drive before, you'll be in for a treat. If you already have an idler classic, pass it on.
 
I had a power cord from a Dual 1219 which is my other idler drive and plugged it into this model and it works so I'll be purchasing this type of molex power cord so no soldering is needed. The cartridge slide is going to cost more than what I paid for the unit but I like what I see so far in terms of build quality, just need to clean and lube so everything is smooth again. Just need to get the cartridge slide and a PE 2038 plinth to make it all complete.

Can anyone provide the plinth dimensions from a PE 2038? I wouldn't mind trying to build one myself, thanks.

I do like the sound of the Dual 1219 but I don't want to keep up the maintenance on it so it's getting sold soon.
 
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I have a 2020 that I just sold on eBay, yesterday. Pretty solid build, HEAVY platter.
It appears to be a deadbeat bidder though, they haven't paid. I just don't understand that..
 
Good luck with the PE. What's wrong with your 1219. Fixed one up a year and a half ago. Other that the V15 type 2 stylus dying I have had no issues. End my day with it as it in my sleeping quarters. Once done they are quite reliable.
 
The 1219 had to be taken apart, cleaned and relubed so the speed selector switch worked. I also had to replace the tonearm nipple thing so the arm would go back to the correct position. I still had to refill the lift cartridge with oil and cleanup the motor but decided that someone else could takeover. The other issue was the sound would change volumes and someone told me that it had to with the tonearm wires. After I sold it I got a dual 601 which I like better so far but it needs the 860 motor to fix the speed issue.
 
jrockvideo said:
The 1219 had to be taken apart, cleaned and relubed so the speed selector switch worked. I also had to replace the tonearm nipple thing so the arm would go back to the correct position. I still had to refill the lift cartridge with oil and cleanup the motor but decided that someone else could takeover. The other issue was the sound would change volumes and someone told me that it had to with the tonearm wires. After I sold it I got a dual 601 which I like better so far but it needs the 860 motor to fix the speed issue.
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You too? Got a 601 to play with. All mine have idlers, 1010S,1219, and two 1229s. Need to find a motor for it. The auto stopped working too. When working, it sounds pretty good. Someday I will get to it. Have to finish 1229Q, then 2 Technics. Cosmetically, the 601 sure is pretty!
 
Nice, I like how much simpler the 601 is to work on. I also had to replace the auto-return nipple thing on it and the pitch control doesn't really do anything but it works ok. If the motor starts up too fast I turn it off a few times and it works fine. Also need to replace with new RCA's and it will be one of my main turntables. I have a Garrard AT6 project to fix along with the PE which might stay as a my idler drive, we'll see.
 
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