I told a friend I would volunteer to fix her dad's old turntable, because that's what I do for "fun". She told me he said it was a top-quality, the best available turntable from the early 70s. When I went to his home to pick it up, this is what I found:
It's a Realistic Lab12A. No way is this thing worth fixing, but I said I would fix it. And he seems really attached to it. He believes that this is a top-quality audiophile turntable.
If anyone has service manuals for this thing . . . 🙏
It's a Realistic Lab12A. No way is this thing worth fixing, but I said I would fix it. And he seems really attached to it. He believes that this is a top-quality audiophile turntable.
If anyone has service manuals for this thing . . . 🙏
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Also, Vinyl Engine may have a service manual, but is not accepting new memberships.
If anyone here has a membership, can you please send me whatever you can find?
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/realistic/lab-12a.shtml
If anyone here has a membership, can you please send me whatever you can find?
https://www.vinylengine.com/library/realistic/lab-12a.shtml
Hi, I would first cut the spindle ( the fulcrum that centers the disc) and take out the record holder and all the associated leverage and gearing.
It may become a single disc player.
I have a Philips that looks similar ( the arm) and what you can get for 10$ parts?
It may become a single disc player.
I have a Philips that looks similar ( the arm) and what you can get for 10$ parts?
Even without a Manual such turntables are quite easy to take apart and see what still can be done in terms of servicing. This looks like a classic pulley drive, Garrard and BSR style.
Hi, I strongly suspect it's a Garrard, having owned the single-play SP25 long ago. There are unfortunately no useful downloads on Vinyl Engine (I am a member and have just checked). However, the page on the similar-looking Lab 12B describes it as made in England for Radio Shack, which rather supports the theory that it was manufactured by Garrard, or maybe BSR. If it's a Garrard, the well-known congealed grease in the mechanism as these decks age (aka 'Garrard Glue') could be behind the unit's problems.
That's a BSR record changer, custom made by BSR in England for Radio Shack.
There are a number of YouTube videos on servicing BSR record changers, which all share the same basic mechanism.
There are a number of YouTube videos on servicing BSR record changers, which all share the same basic mechanism.
I've removed my post as the site to which I referred generated unwanted links in addition to the one I intended.
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OK. Thank you all for getting me off to a good start. I'm looking forward to watching those YouTube videos, And - yes - it may be the Garrard Glue. The motor is trying to turn, but can't.
In preparation for your service, I suggest you read post numbers #3, #5, #6, #7 and #8 in this UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Guide:
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75401
Note also the link to the 'Trip Paul' at the top of post #3.
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=75401
Note also the link to the 'Trip Paul' at the top of post #3.
Lube it with a decent oil and replace the belt.
It's a low end table but should work decently with minor maintenence.
It is certainly not high end like LAB500
It's a low end table but should work decently with minor maintenence.
It is certainly not high end like LAB500
I have NOS idler wheels for this, it's first part to be worn out. Send me a Pm, I can send you free + p&p.
Hi ByronInPortland, I logged in and discovered that VinyEngine does not actually have any owners manuals or service manuals for this record player.
Sorry about that... but it looks like the advice above is very good, so I looked up BSR and found that your turntable closely resembles the BSR McDonald 510 or MP 60. There was some operating instructions for the 510 and a service manual for the mp 60, which I have uploaded for you now.
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Just Google BSR turntable manual, there are many, try Elektrotanya link, Tanya has all this vintage stuff
They don't sound too bad with some cheap MM cart and simple preamp to suit, very good as fun player for rescued Lp's and party. Original piezo cartridges were LP killers, I would throw it away if it's there.
Completely right, lowest range Audiotechnica are just 20 ish euro, or $, but also preamp for MM cart is needed, some ne5534 simplest form.
These had crystal cart that did not need riaa preamp, unless dad has phono preamp in his system
Looks like a Shure magnetic cartridge (M75 or M44?) already in place. It might need a replacement needle, but that's easy.
Clean the old grease out, re-lube lightly with a molybendum grease and oil anything else lightly with a light turbine oil, no "3in1" please. This along with a new idler and general cleanup, it should last another 20 years.
Clean the old grease out, re-lube lightly with a molybendum grease and oil anything else lightly with a light turbine oil, no "3in1" please. This along with a new idler and general cleanup, it should last another 20 years.