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Webcor Prelude Fonograf

AUdubon5425

AUdubon5425

Yat
Thought I'd post some pics of this little set I've been tinkering with since there isn't any info on the net for it.

It's a Webcor Prelude monaural turntable from around 1958. It has a changer with a "Magic Mind" semaphore which I'm trying to id the model number so I can get a service guide for it - it will need the idler wheel rebuilt but functions nicely except for the record rejecting at the lead-out grooves.

The amp (14X263-2) is a simple push-pull using a 35W4 rectifier, a 12AX7 for the AF amp and phase inverter, and twin 35C5 output tubes. It was also used in some portable tabletop models. The driver is a 5x7 with two 3 1/2" tweeters. (I'll take some pics of the amp later)

I rescued this in '04 from a thrift store's back room where it was covered with other pieces of furniture. I've finally had time to start fooling with it - I recapped the amp and am now looking for a ceramic cartridge compatible with the Sonotone 3T that was on there (with no suspension left) or a Sonotone 8TA - Astatic 13TB. I plan to use this mainly to play my 78s on when it's done.
 

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Nice little unit! Ed Crockett of Vintage Electronics can rebuild your idler. He's located in Hattiesburg, MS and his email is phonoed@aol.com. He can also probably fix you up with a cartridge. If it were mine, I'd probably go with an Astatic 89T power point plug in cartridge. This is the type cartridge where the holder mounts on the tonearm and the little cartridge / stylus combination plugs into the holder. You may have to adjust the weight of the tonearm for this cartridge. And, make sure you get an older cartridge with both LP & 78 needles. Most, if not all, of the new ones are LP only and are often inferior to the old Astatic cartridges.
 
Thanks. I have seen Mr. Ed's webpage and planned to call him when I have enough saved for the Webcor's idler and another one I need redone from a Glaser-Steers.

My main concern for the cartridge was finding something ceramic with a .3-.5v output that tracks at 4-5 grams. I know the BSR I use now to play 78s and an occasional LP in my front room can't be tracking much lighter if any, and there's been no noticeable difference in sound quality over 20 years of occasional use.

Merry Christmas!

Ryan
 
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