mathnerdm

Hey guys! So I have a Bang & Olufsen 1800 TT, which I replaced the belt and lubricated; however, the stylus in the cartridge is loosely swinging around. I know cartridges for these run a pretty penny, so I'd rather just sell it to someone who may appreciate it for what it is or needs parts. Please PM any offers you may have. Thanks!

So I have a Bang & Olufsen 1800 TT which I just replaced the belt and lubricated. I go to play it and it barely makes any noise through my speakers and sounds all muffled and like it's not all there. I check the stylus and the needle itself is loose and moves from side to side freely. Would that explain the symptoms of the bad audio quality? Could it be a bad stylus AND possibly the audio cables? And is the only way to fix it to replace the whole cartridge?  Thanks and any ideas/tips would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks much Mike! I'll check out the manual tonight when I have access to a computer. Will that have lubrication points you think besides the spindle in it? Thanks again!

I did  quick Google search for you and found that a lot of people have a lot different problems with this TT. Also read some complaints about the table as a whole, generally regarding weak, poor quality parts.

That said, if it does only need a belt, you should be able to find one online or at a local recordshop that does TT repairs for under $20 and replace it yourself, it's not a labor intensive process; for most turntables you just pop the platter off and slip the belt on, easy-peasy.

As Tardcore said though, you'll want to check out the other components as well. Carts can run you a pretty penny, and you may be better off just getting a different TT.

Thanks for the quick replies! I decided I won't pay for him to do the repairs and I'll see if I could purchase the belt from the same man, I'm not sure though if he'll do that without him doing the repair. While I know it might not be worth it, I think it's a very nice looking TT so I figure I'll put $20 into it for the belt and lubrication and if it doesn't work or it needs a new cartridge (which my father said it got very little use so maybe it will be fine), I'll call it quits. I'll let yall know how it goes and if I can get it up and running again. Thanks!

So I have an old Beogram 1800 automatic turntable. The belt is broken and because it's been sitting in an attic who knows what else might be wrong with it. I took it to an old electronics repair shop and he said he'd be able to do it but he would charge $20 for the belt and $70 labor. I assume that's very over priced but I've never worked on TT's so I feel I could do more harm than good. I have a couple questions, is this table worth $90 (minimum) in repairs, and would this be an easy job to do at home? Also I looked up belts and couldn't find anywhere to get this kind. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Oh, well there you go. When you get a chance do some research and pick up a decent turntable and you'll be alright.  Crosley's really are awful, as you're learning with this pitch change problem.

I think you may just have some of the ole thin skin going on too, this thread has been ridiculously tame, not only that, but you got the help you were looking for.

There is an expectation that if you start getting into a hobby that you'd do research though...why wouldn't there be?

It's like if you were getting into cars, and you went out and just spent $70,000 on a Geo Metro (I know they don't actually cost this much, it's an example.) when you could have spent that same $70,000 and gotten a much nicer car, which you'd have known if you'd just done a few simple google searches.

 

I've never understood when people get into expensive hobbies without actually doing any sort of research or legwork, guess I never will.

Understand that I'm the kind who when I do get into a hobby, I GET INTO A HOBBY. This was my first form of research. If I wasn't wanting to learn more I would not have joined. I just got my dad's beogram 1800 out of the attic, the belt currently is broken but I do plan on taking it to somebody tomorrow. Are you familiar with this TT? What do you think of it?

Seriously? I don't think there has been any hostility in this thread at all, and most posts over the course of the thread have been helpful. Don't be a baby, ya dingus.

Hostility might not have been the right word, but you MUST see how unwelcoming yall are to a new member. OF COURSE I don't know which turn tables are good or bad and to be treated like there's some expectation to is ridiculous. The TT was in my family so I didn't have to purchase it.

Wow, I've joined plenty of forums for most hobbies I'm interested in, and I've never met such a hostile, unwelcoming group. Normally forum users who are experienced in the subject welcome new people to the hobby (as do I for forums I frequent), but I've never met a group like yall. I do appreciate the help you have given me so far.

As suspected, my $2 thrift store copy has no pitch change whatsoever. Needs a good cleaning though. I hate to be the one to finally ask this...what sort of turntable are you playing this on?

It's a Crosley CR49, I'm sure it's not great but I don't know what you'd expect as I'm just getting into vinyl.

Also a good point. Let me grab my copy of Animals and give it a spin. I'll let you know how it sounds.

Please let me know how it sounds. It was pigs on the wing part 2.

My shop would take it back, but my shop would never sell a warped record to begin with, just return it and get your store credit. 23$ for a damaged record? No bueno, but it happens. I try to spin before buying used.

Well this is a very nice shop from what I've read. It's known as one of the best in America I've heard, Waterloo in Austin.

Yup. You'll have to sell it back and they'll give you very little if it's as warped as it seems. Live and learn. Always check your records before you leave the shop.

They do have a return policy for store credit. Also the only reason paid that much was because the "cover" (proper terminology?) was in perfect condition.

If it has a sever warp and distortion it's pretty much worthless. If it was in other places, not just the last track I'd say you need a new belt on your TT, as is, I'd say your TT isn't tracking quite right dues to the warp. (I'd guess it isn't as good as you imagine on the other tracks either if it is that severely warped.)

I'd return it if I were you, if they'll allow it.

Well what would cause it the pitch to be off? I have a good musical ear and I think I would be able to tell if other songs were off. Also, since I'm new to records I don't really know what a severe warp is compared to a minor one. Any ways I can tell how severe it is?

Also the record was worth $23, is it worth that much if it's warped or should I return it to the shop I bought it at? 

So I'm just getting into records and just today I bought pink floyds Animals. It is slightly/decently warped but tracks fine on my TT. The one problem is, on the last track the pitch changes every few seconds sometimes more noticeable then others. It's only on the last track so what would cause that? Is it because it's warped? Is there anything I can do to fix it? Thanks!