Alba record player

[Arthur2075]

This was found at a boot sale this morning. Alba record player, bottom of the range! Still fitted with a 15amp round pin plug. Lid was stuck to the base and took time to get open. There is life in it, only switched on for half a minute.

Ronette cartridge, probably needs replacing. Looks cared for but needs a good clean. Luckily no flat on idler wheel. Motor definitely needs a rebuild. This and a pile of near mint classical 78’s for £6!

[ben]

Cart is a TC8H by the look of it. Telltale green gunk of death there. Replacing that will cost more than the player is worth, sadly. I would look into adding some kind of preamp if you plan to keep this.

[Arthur2075]

Thanks Ben. Don’t think it’s worked for many years.

[bobbyball]

Had one of these years ago. brings back memories. Very basic one valve amplifier but as Ben says above you can add a pre-amp and use a medium output cartridge as the high output types like the one fitted are hard to find...

[Edward Huggins]

The BSR cartridge fitted is a TC8M and so, whatever its condition, is the wrong cartridge for this as it's a medium output type. Yes, a Chinese cheapo cart and a pre-amp is the most cost-efficient way forward.

[Audio1950]

It looks like the existing cartridge is a TC8M, as it is brown. The TC8H is orange.

Barry

[Herald1360]

If it was used for playing 78s, the medium output cartridge may well have been OK?

[Edward Huggins]

You are quite right. The high modulation on 78s can allow a medium-output cartridge to produce an adequate volume. The can also apply to 45s (Singles) but not on EPs or LPs.

[Techman]

I once had an Alba similar to that and it had an ECL80 triode pentode in it.

I wonder when BSR changed over from that cream/white turnover knob to the more well known flag on their cartridges?

[Audio1950]

I think the well-known flag common to all the TC8s was in production from the start, and it was only later that the white turnover knob took its place. I've only ever seen the white knob fitted to single play arms, never seen one on an autochanger deck.

Barry

[ben]

Originally Posted by Audio1950

It looks like the existing cartridge is a TC8M, as it is brown. The TC8H is orange.

Barry

Thanks Barry, I stand corrected! I always get those mixed up, and the x3M /x3H too!

[Edward Huggins]

Originally Posted by Audio1950

I think the well-known flag common to all the TC8s was in production from the start, and it was only later that the white turnover knob took it's place. I've only ever seen the white knob fitted to single play arms, never seen one on an autochange deck.

Barry

After the very early 1953 BSR TC4 cartridge and before the well-known BSR TC8 "flagged" cartridge, BSR would often fit as standard the Acos HGP-37 cream turnover cartridge.

[Nickthedentist]

Originally Posted by Edward Huggins

...the Acos HGP-37 cream turnover cartridge.

See here: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=164275
Interesting to see that replacement rubber dampers were available separately.

[John10b]

I don’t want to go off topic but if I may add a short comment.
Seeing that turntable brought back memories of my first attempt at making a record player, probably mid 50’s. My abiding memory was acoustic feedback, I was young and on a steep learning curve. The homemade cabinet had no vents so when I turned the volume up I got a loud howl. Happy days.
John

[nicam49]

Hey Arthur, be great if you can post some pics of the Alba's insides and give us a progress report of how you get on with testing it out, etc. (if not too much trouble.....)