Vintage Magnavox Question

[jaxsunst]

I have inherited what I guess is an early 60's Magnavox console stereo. It belonged to my grandfather, and I have great memories of listening to it as a child and I am very, very happy to have it. It has been sitting unused for 10+ years.

I mostly works, has some static when you adjust the volume, and one side is dead. The side that works gets an excellent warm tube induced sound that only an old Magnavox can produce. There is one dead tube and I think that is why the speakers on the right side are not working.

The turntable works, but it needs a needle, the one on it is almost worn smooth, that is the problem. It doesn't have the original back on it so all the model numbers are missing. It has a "Micromatic" turntable with a large black tone arm, I have never seen a needle configuration like it. It has the tab on the side of the tonearm for "LP" and "78", but instead having a two sided needle that turns over, the entire cartridge flips over and there is a needle on each side of the cartridge. I can't even figure out how to get it off, let alone how to replace it, nor do I know where to get a replacement.

Any ideas on the needle? If it would help I could post some pics tonight. I wanted to have it working before Christmas, I have my grandfather's christmas albums (I inherited his records with the stereo) and I thought it would be nice to have it working and playing those albums when my family comes over for Christmas. I really miss my grandfather and I thought that would be a nice way to have him with us.

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Very cool!

As far as the static when adjusting the volume, that is an easy fix. The contacts in the volume control's back then were copper. Well you know how copper gets. You can adjust the volume to max to min about 50 times, very fast and that will sometimes clean the contact and make the static sound go away. (Do this with the power off)
As far as the needle, Radio Shack used to carry those. If they don't, post, and I can get to you a number here in Atlanta. Norman's Electronics. Huge place. They have about everything, and they will ship it to you. They might in fact have the tube that you are needing.
Sounds like fun for you!
Brent

 

[jasonl]

Get needles

http://www.garage-a-records.com

http://www.needledoctor.com

http://www.canadianastatic.com < carries mostly Astatic but has other types as well.

YOu should be able to find ones for the Magnavox cartridge.

 

[jaxsunst]

Needle Configuration

Thank you for the info, I checked and Needledoctor had several Magnavox needles. How do I get mine off to see which one I need? Like I said in my original post, I've never seen a configuration like that before. I swear if I didn't know better I would say the whole think is hard wired together.

 

[kenmore1978]

Magnavox stylus removal

Examine the stylus closely and I think it will become apparent how it comes out. They are usually either held by a clip that hold the stylus to the cartridge, or a tiny little screw that is loosened and the rear of the stylus fits under the screwhead.

 

[coldspot]

needle removal

HI

Hope this might help. On some turn tables the needle slids into the cartridge. The cartridge stays on the arm with the tab for lp 78. the neddle is black most of the time. It's made of plasic with the # stamped in white. most of these typs our electro-voice 66sd stereo diamond or 66s stereo synthetic or some times ronett 106-2 stereo. With these typs you are changeing the needle and cartridige all in one. The part that is still one the are is a holder for the cartridges.

hope this might help out some

 

[jasonl]

The Astatic works like that, you change the whole thing so you're getting a new pickup along with the stylus. Good idea to get the best sound out of it.

 

[Brent-Aucoin]

Easy

Hold the 78 / 33 arm, pull down and forward.
That should take it right off.
Brent

 

[jaxsunst]

Thanks

I looked at the tone arm again and I think I have figured it out. I am leaving on a business trip tomorrow and will not have time to mess with it till I get back. I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks again.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

If you decide that you have a EV-26 cartridge, I have sapphire needles and will send you one for postage.

Ken D.

 

[jaxsunst]

Thanks Ken

Thank you so much. I plan to work some on the Magnavox this weekend, I'll let you know and post some pics.

 

[jaxsunst]

Needle

I got the cartridge off. There is an E (another letter I couldn't make out) in a circle and a 26 printed on it. If you think that is the one that matches your needle, I would love to have it. Just send me an email to the address in my profile and let me know how to get the postage to you.

Here's a pic.

 

[jaxsunst]

Some pics of Maggie

me and maggie, I need to find out how to do multiple pics on a post. I'm on a Mac.

 

[jaxsunst]

The Turntable, I have my work cut out for me. Notice the 45 adapter is still there.

 

[jaxsunst]

The radio side, the knobs are baklite and the radio dial is glass. Knowing this, can someone help me date it.

 

[jaxsunst]

Anther shot, I plan to do a full restoration on her this spring after our garage is reworked. We are adding a work table and bench area.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Yes, that is a EV-26 cartridge. I'll send you a sapphire needle which should last about 50 albums or so. If you plan to use it a lot, a diamond would be better since it's good for about 800 hours. I see you have the fat-ended tonearm. There is an upgrade cartridge that fits that tonearm/amp, but I'm not sure if I have one (it was used on the higher-end sets). The upgrade cartridge will track at 3 or 4 grams. The EV26 needs about 5 to 7 grams. I would date this approx 1962, give or take 2 years.
The best product for cleaning the controls in the amp is DeoxIT D5 spray.
The amp should have all new capacitors at this age, allthough Magnavox used good components and sometimes they work well without rebuilding. Capacitors are not expensive, and it would be a shame to cook the power transformer or the output tubes.
Those Collaro record-changrs are great! Clean them up and they usually work well.

Ken D.

 

[jaxsunst]

YAY!

The needle came yesterday. Thanks to Ken D.

I got the dead side working, tested the turntable, and it works perfectly.

I am going to put the needle and cartridge back tonight, and Maggie will play her first record in over 10 years! I'll post a pic.

Thanks again.

 

[cartridgehunter]

EV-26 Cartridge

I'm looking for an EV-26 cartridge for my Magnavox Micromatic. I've tried the local repair shops, and on the internet, but have had no luck. One Web site does have some EV cartridges--some models even in the 20's--but no EV 26. Can you help? I'll include a picture of my busted one.(No, I didn't try to tape it together and use it, it's just for picture purposes).
If one isn't available, do you know if any other cartridges are interchangable?