Plays records too fast, needle cartridge is loose
I just purchased a vintage Zenith phongraph record player today at a thrift store and every record i've put on plays way too fast even tho it's on 33 1/3 playing time for the 33 1/3 records. The needle seems very dirty and the cartridge that holds it is loose, could this be the problem? so i just need to get a new needle? or can i just tighten the cartridge any way? by the way, the speakers are fine cuz the radio sounds great. thanks
Televison & Video - Zenith - ZN110 Remote Control
Answers & Comments
Many of these old phonographs play a little too fast. one possible fix is to rig up a dimmer switch into an "extension" cord that you plug this vintage phonograph into. The lower voltage will slow it down and you will be able to adjust the speed.
The speed issue w/your Zenith turntable can be traced to the motor spindle. With time and use, gunk forms on the motor spindle making it larger in diameter thus resulting in a faster than normal speed. Easy fix. Remove turntable platter and clean idler wheel and motor spindle with alcohol. It may be necessary to scrape motor spindle then clean. Using the dimmer theory as described by justaskjoe unfortunately is not the cure. In addition, when you reduce the voltage going to the unit it will also decrease the amount of voltage to run the amplifier. That's a dumb solution. Don't even think about that!! If that is the Zenith Micro Touch 2/G Tone Arm, it drops out of the tone arm by removing the top knob [if it's still there] and using a small screwdriver, gently move the cartridge pivots inward; the wires usually plug into the cartridge; sliding it backward releases the wire and plug assembly. If you don't have to remove the cartridge for any reason other than replacement, leave it alone. Your speed problem is not there and the cartridge on this unit is DESIGNED to "float" in the tone arm assembly. Good Luck,
JIMBO
There should be some small screws that hold the cartridge to the arm. You can tighten them. Clean the needle with a fine brush. Brush in the direction from the arm to the end. If you do it the other way you could bend the needle back and wreck it. The speed problem is likely due to a motor issue or drive capstan problem. (if it is rubber it might be old and dried out. ) Or if the unit can be used for 45's the selector switch may not be working correctly.
Higher end turntables have removable cartridges with flanges on their upper sides (the side that touches the arm at the top) and the screws go into the arm. They are very small. You night need a jewelers screwdriver to tighten them. Lower end phonographs have molded cartridges that snap into the arm. Yours sounds like it might be one of those. If you can remove the plastic part (under the arm) that covers the cartridge you may be able to see the screws up inside the arm. If you cannot remove it you may be able to tighten the fit of the cartridge with some shims but some cartridges are meant to be loose and "float". The looseness in not causing the speed problem so you can leave it loose if it doesn't tilt to one side and sounds OK.
The motor shaft may have a rubber wheel that rubs against the platter (inside). If the wheel has shrunk with age or wear, it would cause the platter to run faster. Try the dimmer switch trick first since getting replacement parts may be difficult. However plugging the unit into a dimmer will also reduce the voltage to the electronic parts as well as the motor and may cause other problems.