newb needs some help...

[Champion5]

Hello all!!!
I just got an old record/8 track player and I need some help. First off, it's a Montgomery Ward Airline Stereo 8 Track Player Automatic Record Changer.

I would like to know where I can get repair parts for it. It seems to work fine plays records but I want to get a new needle (#78?) for it. Also I don't understand the "Automatic Record Changer" part. How does it work?

Any help would be great, thanks!!!!!

[indianajo]

If anybody still has needles for something this low priced it would be radioshack.com.
Your automatic recordchanger involves a bent stem that goes in the middle. the LP's sit up on top of the crook, then when the arm reaches the end of the record and trips the pawl, the changer lifts the arm, pulls it back, and releases the tab on the bent stem to lower another record. then the arm comes out and sets down on the record, if the record tripped the sense lever that sticks out or if the count wasn't at zero for cheap models without a falling record sensor.
These automatic changer stems usually get lost unless it still is in drawer of the end table in the music room at your parent's house. There won't be any more.
if it really does play 10" diameter 78 rpm records, which is unlikely in the 8 track era, then you can buy packs of steel 78 needles from other suppliers. 78's ended about 1956, 8 tracks started about 1960, but didn't hit my town (Houston) until about 1963.

[Champion5]

Thanks for the quick reply! The player wasn't cheap, it was free! I think I understand how the automatic part works now. I'm thinking the automatic changer stem is the "L" shaped plastic piece on mine. I have attached a picture below.. Also can you suggest a supplier for the needle? Thanks again!

[indianajo]

Yes, those L shaped things stopped the arm from coming out when it hit the bottom. If RS doesn't have the needle, google search diyaudio: turntable needle It has been covered here. RS will have a diagram where you look at the picture of your old needle and pick that one. Ceramic cartridges used in these didn't have names or part numbers, often.

[Champion5]

Thanks! I will go to Radio Shack tomorrow.

[indianajo]

My local RS store has no electronics parts, just cell phones & toys. Internet only on a obsolete part like this.

[a95sonoma]

Don't waste your time at Radio Shack, they won't have anything.

Go to eBay, in the "turntables parts and accessories" section. There are a number of dependable sellers who sell needles for all types of old players.

Accessories Manuals | eBay

I have had good luck with these sellers.

MAGNETIC PHONO STYLUS, CERAMIC CRYSTAL CARTRIDGES items in NEEDLE DADDY store on eBay!

Other Phono Needles, Audio Technica Phono Needles items in Andersons Music store on eBay!

[a95sonoma]

Originally Posted by indianajo

If anybody still has needles for something this low priced it would be radioshack.com.
Your automatic recordchanger involves a bent stem that goes in the middle. the LP's sit up on top of the crook, then when the arm reaches the end of the record and trips the pawl, the changer lifts the arm, pulls it back, and releases the tab on the bent stem to lower another record. then the arm comes out and sets down on the record, if the record tripped the sense lever that sticks out or if the count wasn't at zero for cheap models without a falling record sensor.
These automatic changer stems usually get lost unless it still is in drawer of the end table in the music room at your parent's house. There won't be any more.
if it really does play 10" diameter 78 rpm records, which is unlikely in the 8 track era, then you can buy packs of steel 78 needles from other suppliers. 78's ended about 1956, 8 tracks started about 1960, but didn't hit my town (Houston) until about 1963.

Steel needles were only used on very early acoustic 78's as they had a abrasice filler added to them to file the needle to the shape of the record groove while playing. By the 1930's this filler was removed and recording and playback was electrical with electrical pickups. Playing any 78's from that era on upwards with a steel needle will ruin them after a couple plays. That's how most 78's got ruined, because people keep on playing them with their old wind-up talkie machines with steel needles.

Millions of stereos consoles were made up into the late 70's that had a eight track player and record players with 78 rpm play. My parents had a Philco console they bought in the mid 70's with 8 track and 78 capability. The needles were double sided, with a diamond on one side for normal record play and a wider diamond one the other side for 78's wider grooves. Don't be temped to flip over and use the wrong needle, because the smaller microgroove diamond will thrash about in the 78's grooves and chip them and the 78 diamond is to big for a vinyl record and will destroy its grooves. That's another way records of both types got ruined.

If you really want to get into records I would suggest you invest in proper player with a magnetic cartridge, a well designed tone arm that can track at a lower tracking force, around 2 grams or less, and has no changer mechanism, as all they do is slowly scratch you records to death. Also learn how to properly clean a record as playing a dirty record can a lot of damage to the record.