HMV mono record player - 60's

mikeandsara · 15th January 2012, 08:26 PM

Hi!
Just joined and don't know my way around very well...
We've just acquired an HMV portable mono record player. On the arm it has Garrard badge and is fitted with a GC8M crystal cartridge. It had been in an attic for at least 40 years but with a bit of tinkering its stiff and sleepy workings warmed up and we've been playing my old records on it (Black Sabbath in mono..oh the nostalgia, the only thing missing was the sound of the music grinding to a halt as my father pulls the fuse to my bedroom....) Anyway, the stylus - which flips one way for 33 and 45 and the other for 78 - seems very worn and needs replacing, but I'd rather replace the whole cartridge. Can anyone supply me with a cartridge and give us advice on how to remove the old one and fit the new.?
I'm so impressed with the durability of it - How much of the equipment today will work after 40 years and more to the point - be made to get working with a scewdriver and a can of WD40? Also the sound..has a special quality...!!
Looking forward to making acquaintances
Sara

kevinkr · 17th January 2012, 02:54 AM

Hi Sara, Welcome to the forum! Check out the analog sources for possible help on your HMV record player..
There are replacement styli available on eBay for many vintage ceramic and crystal cartridges. There may be some NOS cartridges knocking around there as well.. (Ronnette?)

Archibaldy · 27th April 2012, 11:06 AM

Hey there Sara,
Try searching Ebay, I'm sure you'll be able to locate what you need.
Pity your turntable is mono. The sound of tubes in stereo can be rather spooky and believe me, the more work put into old darling tube stuff is worth it.
Gone are the days when audio gear was built "up to a level" ~ now they are made "down to a price" !!!
Cheers,
Andrew.

PS: I've got 2 HMV Little Nipper radios that are being turned into 1 stereo.
Why ? Cause it's fun to tinker. I don't need to but it is a hobby. An expensive one at that.
You could be bit by the bug as well~ take care, it can send yer broke !

Cal Weldon · 2nd May 2012, 02:13 PM

Hello and welcome.

15th January 2012, 08:26 PM	#1
mikeandsara diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2012	HMV mono record player - 60's Hi! Just joined and don't know my way around very well... We've just acquired an HMV portable mono record player. On the arm it has Garrard badge and is fitted with a GC8M crystal cartridge. It had been in an attic for at least 40 years but with a bit of tinkering its stiff and sleepy workings warmed up and we've been playing my old records on it (Black Sabbath in mono..oh the nostalgia, the only thing missing was the sound of the music grinding to a halt as my father pulls the fuse to my bedroom....) Anyway, the stylus - which flips one way for 33 and 45 and the other for 78 - seems very worn and needs replacing, but I'd rather replace the whole cartridge. Can anyone supply me with a cartridge and give us advice on how to remove the old one and fit the new.? I'm so impressed with the durability of it - How much of the equipment today will work after 40 years and more to the point - be made to get working with a scewdriver and a can of WD40? Also the sound..has a special quality...!! Looking forward to making acquaintances Sara

17th January 2012, 02:54 AM	#2
kevinkr diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Blog Entries: 6	Hi Sara, Welcome to the forum! Check out the analog sources for possible help on your HMV record player.. There are replacement styli available on eBay for many vintage ceramic and crystal cartridges. There may be some NOS cartridges knocking around there as well.. (Ronnette?) __________________ www.kta-hifi.net

2nd May 2012, 02:13 PM	#4
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	Hello and welcome. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting

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27th April 2012, 11:06 AM	#3
Archibaldy The Crimson Dynamo diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Victoria - Australia	Hey there Sara, Try searching Ebay, I'm sure you'll be able to locate what you need. Pity your turntable is mono. The sound of tubes in stereo can be rather spooky and believe me, the more work put into old darling tube stuff is worth it. Gone are the days when audio gear was built "up to a level" ~ now they are made "down to a price" !!! Cheers, Andrew. PS: I've got 2 HMV Little Nipper radios that are being turned into 1 stereo. Why ? Cause it's fun to tinker. I don't need to but it is a hobby. An expensive one at that. You could be bit by the bug as well~ take care, it can send yer broke !

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