natealcatraz Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 So this is my Dad's turntable that he's had before I was born. This baby still works great, but the only problem is it's only generating sound coming from the left channel. I noticed this when I would listen to music and I would hear only the lead guitar and melodies, and not so much any rhythm and lead vocals. It's definitely not my speakers. It's definitely not the pre-amp because it's about 2-3 years old. I'm thinking it's the audio cables that are attached to the turntable itself. Here are some pics of the turntable: I hope someone can help me out. A big thanks in advanced! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrnubnub Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 It could be your cartridge/needle and the frequencies it's picking up. But I'm no expert, just suggesting you check it. It could be a slew of things, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clements Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Had this happen before, the cartridge had become a little loose and I just had to screw it in tighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natealcatraz Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 Thanks for the quick replies so far... I connected the turntable through my computer's microphone input and recorded the sound using windows sound recorder. Same result. I'll try fiddling with the cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natealcatraz Posted April 29, 2012 Author Share Posted April 29, 2012 The cartridge doesn't feel loose. But when I examined the soldered metal connected to the wires in the back of the cartridge, one of them felt loose. The others were snug. Bottom wire, closest to camera. It's colored white. The other wires are red, blue, and green, if that information matters haha... But with it feeling a little loose indicate I would need to tighten it or just replace the cartridge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleevanswastaken Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 Try cleaning it by dipping the whole set up in soapy water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothingnatural Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 ^I don't know what the hell that dudes talking about. Your best bet is cleaning it by dipping the whole set up in a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Use white vinegar only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 I would play a crummy $1 record and try and wiggle the white wire with a PLASTIC fork tip or something to see if it cuts in and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burntoutat22 Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 If the white wire is loose, where it is soldered, re-solder it, if at all possible. Probably a bad solder joint which would cause a bad connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightyseancore Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 i don't think it's your cartridge. i had this problem with mine, and still do from time to time. it's the audio cables coming from my turntable to my preamp, there is a short in one of them, but if i twist it the right way and tape it to the back of my record shelf its works fine. i would try bending/twisting those while playing something and see if you might get some sound out of the right channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadreckoning Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 i don't think it's your cartridge. i had this problem with mine, and still do from time to time.it's the audio cables coming from my turntable to my preamp, there is a short in one of them, but if i twist it the right way and tape it to the back of my record shelf its works fine. i would try bending/twisting those while playing something and see if you might get some sound out of the right channel. i had a similar problem with one of the RCA jacks in the back of the turntable. Sound would cut in and out as you moved the plug around. The internal soldering/connection had gone bad and was shorting the channel out. This many involve some internal exploratory surgery. I also had a problem where one side just sounded like complete crap - distorted, muddy, low volume, etc. In that case, the cart had just gone bad - it was old. Once i installed a new cart things were back to normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 29, 2012 Share Posted April 29, 2012 i experienced this with my first TT.. my moms old one that i took. i didnt bother fixing it, just decided it was time for a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shenanigans Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 I've had the same issue with my player and it was the RCA cord. I hear they're not too difficult to solder back on, but I was able to just twist it into the right position and it's find as long as I don't move the table around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madtired Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 when this happens to me, it has always been the connection on the cartridge. re-check that all wires are connected clearly as others have said, and if you are able to disconnect the headshell/cartridge from the tonearm (ala technics1200), you can do the highly efficient NES technique (just blow in the tonearm -- dust might have built up in there) or use some compressed air. /iusefancymethods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyleevanswastaken Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 ^I don't know what the hell that dudes talking about. Your best bet is cleaning it by dipping the whole set up in a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Use white vinegar only. That's just an old wive's tale, you can use malt vinegar too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud87 Posted April 30, 2012 Share Posted April 30, 2012 i don't think it's your cartridge. i had this problem with mine, and still do from time to time.it's the audio cables coming from my turntable to my preamp, there is a short in one of them, but if i twist it the right way and tape it to the back of my record shelf its works fine. i would try bending/twisting those while playing something and see if you might get some sound out of the right channel. Yeah when I had/have the OP's problem it's this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natealcatraz Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 So I guess it's been a week since I posted this but..... I got it working! I removed the cartridge, examined the wiring, and like I said, the white wire was a little loose so I removed it and plugged it back in. I removed the stylus and well and that thing has dust gathered around the plastic area surrounding it. I don't have anything to clean it with except a can of dust remover. Put everything back. I also moved the RCA cord a bit and it's fine. In conclusion, it was just a loose connection in the cartridge. As far as sound quality, I have my turntable connected to my AIWA stereo and it sounds pretty good. I'm thinking of replacing the stylus and/or the cartridge. Not sure what I'll get though. Thanks to all of you who posted your suggestions. I'm glad I got this turntable working again. I almost bought a new one this weekend because of all the new records I bought recently. I really wanted to listen to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
necroscope Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Good man. Yay for DIY solutions! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jipc Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Im also having a similar problem. The left speaker is quieter than the right. It sounds fine when playing a cd, casette etc. So i know it not poorly connected speaker. My guess it the 16 year ols stylus! So after reading this topic i invested in a new cartridge and awaiting its arrival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightyseancore Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Glad you got it fixed. Nothing drives me more crazy then electronics not working properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natealcatraz Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 Im also having a similar problem. The left speaker is quieter than the right. It sounds fine when playing a cd, casette etc. So i know it not poorly connected speaker. My guess it the 16 year ols stylus! So after reading this topic i invested in a new cartridge and awaiting its arrival. Mine is probably older than that. 20+ years. But my dad barely used it. I'm thinking of getting a whole new cartridge to get with the times. What did you order? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jipc Posted May 7, 2012 Share Posted May 7, 2012 Im also having a similar problem. The left speaker is quieter than the right. It sounds fine when playing a cd, casette etc. So i know it not poorly connected speaker. My guess it the 16 year ols stylus! So after reading this topic i invested in a new cartridge and awaiting its arrival. Mine is probably older than that. 20+ years. But my dad barely used it. I'm thinking of getting a whole new cartridge to get with the times. What did you order? its a technics seperates system which he bought back in the early 90s. It was very rarely used and it was sitting idle in his house... He let me have it after he found his now vintage pioneer table and amp... Its lovely and sounds awsome! I just bought a replacement cart.. A tiny orange thing thats compatible with most tables of that sort. I dont think its anything special but as long as my speakers are balanced properly. But ill let you know how it turns out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jipc Posted May 8, 2012 Share Posted May 8, 2012 I got my new stylus today... Tried it out and it still sounds the same. Its really weird... Its just the left speaker is slightly a little quiete. The guitar solo on pearl jams alive is non existent yet the you can still hear the rest. Also noticed it on an Ataris track... Just goes completely quite when guitars are panned left. Any ideas anyone before istart dismantling my table?!! Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natealcatraz Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Check every connection. Wiggle the RCA cord around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jase Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I got my new stylus today... Tried it out and it still sounds the same.Its really weird... Its just the left speaker is slightly a little quiete. The guitar solo on pearl jams alive is non existent yet the you can still hear the rest. Also noticed it on an Ataris track... Just goes completely quite when guitars are panned left. Any ideas anyone before istart dismantling my table?!! Thanks in advance. Put a dime on the top of the cartridge and play the same album again. If that fixes it, the problem is your setup is wrong. Add a little more weight to the tone arm/check your tracking force and anti skating etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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