The official Fairchild 412 registry thread!

[sberger]

Got the speed adapter and unfortunately getting a loud buzzing sound from it. Followed the brief instructions on the listing, and while dialing in speed works fine, can't seem to figure out the cause of the buzzing. Waiting for the seller to get back to me with answers, but was hoping perhaps somebody looking at this thread might've ordered one and can offer some assistance. I will say using the VPI SDS is easier as far as dialing in correct speed but it's also quite a bit more expensive.

 

[adnick]

Got the speed adapter and unfortunately getting a loud buzzing sound from it. Followed the brief instructions on the listing, and while dialing in speed works fine, can't seem to figure out the cause of the buzzing. Waiting for the seller to get back to me with answers, but was hoping perhaps somebody looking at this thread might've ordered one and can offer some assistance. I will say using the VPI SDS is easier as far as dialing in correct speed but it's also quite a bit more expensive.

So the buzzing is from the box itself? Appears he sells a good number of those so I’m assuming it’s not normal….always thought it curious that the design used the Fairchild connection.

Andy

 

[sberger]

The buzzing is when it's plugged in, and I turn the volume up. Almost like a grounding issue, but I only get it when this box is plugged in. With no volume, no buzzing and it does work as described. It would seem to be some type of connection issue, but the directions are quite simple so not sure what the problem might be.

The seller has responded so we'll see if we can get it ironed out. He's confirmed everything I'm doing is right. I've send him recording of the buzzing.

 

[sberger]

Guess it could possibly slow it down but on mine it went up, I

Just to confirm, this means that you had to increase the Hz on your table to get to 33, as I did, when you added the Delrin ball?

On another note, had to return the speed adapter as I could not remove the buzzing when the unit was being used. I think it was somehow a defective unit since others seemingly haven't had the issue. I'm usually pretty good at identifying and eliminating various hum/buzzing issues related to grounding, or poor connections. But I simply couldn't this time. And since I'm lucky enough to own a VPI SDS, I still have the ability to set correct speed.

That said, I think if the unit had not displayed these issues it would definitely meet the needs of somebody who is looking for a simple solution of controlling speed on their 412's, and for a lot less then a similar product(like the VPI SDS). The seller of the product was very responsive and and easy to deal with.

 

[Greggld]

I love the 412! I was hoping to add my enthusiasm and my 2 cents on what I hope is a still active page. But…….

I just bought a Fairchild 412 from a great musician/audiophile and wrecked it! I should not say wrecked it, I did something simple, I rotated the platter counter-clockwise (only a bit, 1/6th, it’s not like I spun it!) to check the stylus alignment with my template and DAMN now it runs gut-wrenchingly slow.

I checked the two easily visible belts/pulleys and they seem fine, if low positioned. I am hesitant to go further. Any ideas before I open it all up? As a non-tech person I am also old enough to know that messing with stuff you can’t un-mess with leads to tears.

I’ve had belt drive tables my whole life and I’ve always been able to rotate them backwards to no ill effect.

What did I do? I am not giving up on this. I’ve heard 124’s and 301’s and as great as they are the Fairchild had a relaxed momentum that I adored and want to keep.

I am not a checkbook audiophile but I had hoped to explore plinth ideas and multi arm paths. I’d love to see what the old dual belt table can be made to do once I get it right again……

 

[adnick]

I love the 412! I was hoping to add my enthusiasm and my 2 cents on what I hope is a still active page. But…….

I just bought a Fairchild 412 from a great musician/audiophile and wrecked it! I should not say wrecked it, I did something simple, I rotated the platter counter-clockwise (only a bit, 1/6th, it’s not like I spun it!) to check the stylus alignment with my template and DAMN now it runs gut-wrenchingly slow.

I checked the two easily visible belts/pulleys and they seem fine, if low positioned. I am hesitant to go further. Any ideas before I open it all up? As a non-tech person I am also old enough to know that messing with stuff you can’t un-mess with leads to tears.

I’ve had belt drive tables my whole life and I’ve always been able to rotate them backwards to no ill effect.

What did I do? I am not giving up on this. I’ve heard 124’s and 301’s and as great as they are the Fairchild had a relaxed momentum that I adored and want to keep.

I am not a checkbook audiophile but I had hoped to explore plinth ideas and multi arm paths. I’d love to see what the old dual belt table can be made to do once I get it right again……

Welcome to the 412 club, they are extraordinary tables, you should post some photos and list the serial number.

Sounds like one of your belts slipped off it’s regular running path, you really can’t do any harm, it’s just an annoying situation.


Andy

 

[Greggld]

Welcome to the 412 club, they are extraordinary tables, you should post some photos and list the serial number.

Sounds like one of your belts slipped off it’s regular running path, you really can’t do any harm, it’s just an annoying situation.


Andy

Hi Andy,

Thanks, but i need to open it up to find the other belts or belt. So no issues if I need to do that. But, I don't want to see too lame, going further is a lot more invasive, there are four pulleys. Can I (removing the arm.) just flip it over? I pitched it up to re-atttch the arm cable and noticed some oil leak, not that I know from where. I hesitate to go further?

Again, apologies if this is simple.

 

[adnick]

Hi Andy,

Thanks, but i need to open it up to find the other belts or belt. So no issues if I need to do that. But, I don't want to see too lame, going further is a lot more invasive, there are four pulleys. Can I (removing the arm.) just flip it over? I pitched it up to re-atttch the arm cable and noticed some oil leak, not that I know from where. I hesitate to go further?

Again, apologies if this is simple.

Not sure what plinth yours is in, nor if it has a full metal cage, but you’ll not damage anything and you need to know how to change and/or reset the belts…..the short belt from the idler to the motor most likely slipped off at the motor

Andy

 

[Madman1]

@Greggld these are pretty simple machines, not a lot of moving parts, well at least my 412-1 is. Remove the cover and you should see if the platter belt is off. There is 2 screws holding the entire unit inside the plinth, take those out and you can remove the whole unit, that is if you power cord and switch will allow you to. Then you can access both belts and see what’s going on.

 

[adnick]

@Greggld

Here’s my build thread it has some photos that might help you envision the setup….

Early Fairchild 412 build, including new plinth (photo heavy)

Just finished a plinth build thread for a Russco Studio Pro which went better than expected, so figured I’d press my luck and do a thread on this Fairchild. The Russco plinth is for a professional model idler drive, it actually belongs to @BillWojo, he specified the size and I did the design...

audiokarma.org

 

[Greggld]

@Greggld

Here’s my build thread it has some photos that might help you envision the setup….

Early Fairchild 412 build, including new plinth (photo heavy)

Just finished a plinth build thread for a Russco Studio Pro which went better than expected, so figured I’d press my luck and do a thread on this Fairchild. The Russco plinth is for a professional model idler drive, it actually belongs to @BillWojo, he specified the size and I did the design...

audiokarma.org

Thanks, I admired the thread before I picked up the table. It's were I'll start. Thanks also @Madman1. Love the table, I'll fix it or get it fixed!

 

[Greggld]

I don't want to hijack an information thread with personal stuff, the problem was that the chassis shifted so the top belt rubbed. I'll investigate more this weekend. But really, I have a 124 story, but I'm very happy so no more 124 story......

 

[Sam Cogley]

Yes, if I wasn’t clear, I’ve built a more sophisticated speed control, it turns the 412-1 into a 412-3 and like @sberger it greatly enhances the table….

VR
Andy

I would love to hear more about this custom speed control!

 

[adnick]

I would love to hear more about this custom speed control!

Sam:

It’s the one from Lencoheaven, commonly called Nigel’s speed control, the box offered on eBay is much simpler but lacks adjustment.

There’s a host of ways to do this, but this one was available to me so……

https://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=16910.0

Depending on where one sources the transformers, at the low end it costs about $100-150 to build and one has to purchase a board from Nigel or have one made.

Have enough stuff to build 2 but only got around to building the second one yet, too lazy (-;

It allows the user to control 3 speeds, 33,45 &78 with the ability to adjust voltage and Hz, I’m using mine on my 301 at the moment but have tried it on several different machines.

There’s no LEDs in my build, I’m able to distinguish speed settings by knob position and the voltage gauge gives me power on indication, but I’ll probably add an Hz meter to my next build…..


VR
Andy

 

[Earless One]

I recently acquired a Fairchild 412 with an Empire 98 tonearm. I have two headshells, one with a Shure M3D and the other with an Empire 108. The Shure M3D has a good stylus, and it sounds great. I have ordered a NOS stylus for the Empire 108.

 

[Sam Cogley]

I recently acquired a Fairchild 412 with an Empire 98 tonearm. I have two headshells, one with a Shure M3D and the other with an Empire 108. The Shure M3D has a good stylus, and it sounds great. I have ordered a NOS stylus for the Empire 108.

Interesting combination! I don't think I've ever seen an Empire arm mounted on a 412.

 

[Sam Cogley]

Hi Andy,

Thanks, but i need to open it up to find the other belts or belt. So no issues if I need to do that. But, I don't want to see too lame, going further is a lot more invasive, there are four pulleys. Can I (removing the arm.) just flip it over? I pitched it up to re-atttch the arm cable and noticed some oil leak, not that I know from where. I hesitate to go further?

Again, apologies if this is simple.

Sorry for the late appearance. 4 pulleys? Do you have a 412-2 with the two-speed operation? I don't know much about the belt routing on them. The standard 412 Basic Chassis / -1 / -1A / -1B has a double pulley transfer mechanism that uses one belt below the chassis to spin the platter belt above the chassis. The mount for the transfer pulley was re-designed somewhere in the S/N #370-500 range as it was a bit flimsy and prone to failure. The redesign is practically indestructible. My very early 412 has the pulley assembly from a -1B mounted on it to make it functional.

 

[Madman1]

I’m ready to get back working on my 412. Any suggestions on a simple
“reasonably priced“ mat that will fit around the 45 adapter? I’ve got a diy cork one, but would rather something a little more finished looking. Also, I sold off my my 282 tonearm and planning to either use the 3009 I purchased for my 301 project or maybe something like the empire 98 that @Earless One is using…isn’t that the tonearm @adnick is using too?

 

[sberger]

Interesting combination! I don't think I've ever seen an Empire arm mounted on a 412.

Removed the Gray and added an Empire 98 tonarm. A little easier to use and love the way it looks. I should add that I got the 98 from forum member @SFBayArch, who also handled the installation of the arm and associated hardware, and added external RCA inputs for my choice of ic's. He has been a great resource and technical wizard to me with this and other tables over the years to which I'm forever grateful.

I had one until a couple months ago that I posted about in 2018. Was a wonderful table but moved it to a buddy for part of a trade for a Sparta(rebranded Russco) and Lenco a few months ago. An after market headshell is available for the 98 as well.

 

[Madman1]

whoops