VM 1200 series changer

[William]

About a month ago I had some ambition and decided to tackle a VM changer that needed complete everything. I started it, then the holidays interrupted so now I'm back at it. I previously had ordered the parts I needed from Gary and they were just sitting there looking at me saying install me, PLEASE.

To start, this was probably the worst changer I have ever done. Someone, at some point in time, had done what they thought was correct by instead had done everything wrong. I was like they took axle grease, used a putty knife and smeared it everywhere and then added oil just because. This changer needed to be totally torn down, soaked, cleaned, scrubbed, and then do all of that over and over again, which I did. Finally, it was spotless, so I followed Gary's instructions on what to use and where to put it in the lube process. Once that was done, and I had it reassembled, I fired it up to see what it would do. Not expecting it to function correctly as they never do the first time for me, I was shocked to see it perform flawlessly. It's a miracle, so I proceeded with the installation of the new cartridge and new platter mat.

First came the mat, new from Gary, which I could not find. It should have been in the console with the other parts that I had gotten from Gary, after all they all came in the same box. Nope not there so the search started. I opened the box in my shop in the basement, so it had to be down here somewhere. I kept everything in the box, small flat box, and had laid it in console where you would store records. Box was there, parts were there, mat was not. I pulled the console out to see if I had put it down with the amps for some reason. Nope! I looked in other consoles. Nope! I checked the shelves in the room the console lives. Nope! I went into the family room and checked in every drawer, console, and shelf. Nope! I looked in between records that I have waiting to be cleaned. Nope! I checked the storage room. Nope! Where the heck did it go. Since this was driving me crazy, and now I'm thinking I have really lost my mind I went upstairs had supper and relaxed.

Now it's the next day and I'm thinking the platter mat gremlins took my mat so I decided I would install the cartridge. Well, I'm here to tell you I should have stayed in bed. I removed the cartridge from its little plastic box, attempted to remove the cartridge from its mounting bracket and promptly broke the little locking tab off the back of the cartridge. I have no idea where that tab went, I looked for it, did not find it, so the cartridge tab gremlins must have it. So now I have a busted cartridge and no platter mat. I am thankful for the changer working correctly the first time, but that miracle was short lived.

Being discouraged, I decided to clean up my bench. One of the things on my bench that needed attention were tubes that needed to be tested. I lifted the lid on the tube tester and guess what I found. Yep, the platter mat. Now I know I have really lost it, I have no knowledge of every putting it there, nor any reason why I would have put it there. Now that I found mat, and installed it, I just need to figure out a way to make the cartridge work, so I do not have to order a new one. Any suggestions?

PS, I forgot to take photos to share but I have changer number two that looks almost as bad, and I will share photos of that one. Sorry!

Bill

[electra225]

It sounds like I might have worked on that changer one time......

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I removed the cartridge from its little plastic box, attempted to remove the cartridge from its mounting bracket and promptly broke the little locking tab off the back of the cartridge. I have no idea where that tab went, I looked for it, did not find it, so the cartridge tab gremlins must have it.

Now that I found mat, and installed it, I just need to figure out a way to make the cartridge work, so I do not have to order a new one. Any suggestions?
Bill

Hello Bill,
What is the new cartridge you have there ?

[William]

Pfanstiehl P226, Mr. Mogul.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Pfanstiehl P226, Mr. Mogul.
Bill

Bill,
Is the broken tab off of the cartridge body or
the plastic cartridge mount ?

For now, I'm posting a photo of how the cart
sits in the mount.
You should be able to epoxy the cartridge onto
the plastic mount, after the mount is secured down onto
the tonearm.

What needs to be tweaked is the angle of the cart
so that it approximates the photo.

You may need to place
something b/t the cart body and the
plastic mount to approach that angle.
Then glue that to the mount already installed on
the tonearm.

The cart body will be in the way of installing the
little mounting screws, if you glue the
cart to the mount and then try to install it.

I hope this assists you.

[William]

Thanks, Mr. Mogul, and I wish it was the bracket as Gary has those in stock. What broke was the little tab on the back side of the cartridge by the terminals. I have thought about trying to glue the cartridge to the bracket but was concerned about the proper angle. The photo you provided shows the cartridge with bracket attached in its little box. When you say angle, are you referring to side to side in the tone arm or the tipping down angle of the cartridge? Did that make sense?

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Thanks, Mr. Mogul, and I wish it was the bracket as Gary has those in stock.
What broke was the little tab on the back side of the cartridge by the terminals.

I have thought about trying to glue the cartridge to the bracket but was concerned about the proper angle. The photo you provided shows the cartridge with bracket attached in its little box.

When you say angle, are you referring to side to side in the tone arm or the tipping down angle of the cartridge? Did that make sense?
Bill

Bill,
Yes, I am referring to the tipping down angle,
maybe called the "pitch" of the cart in its mount.

For our use of non-audiophile record changers, I think
approximating angle of the cart body to the mount is enough.

Just for some f.y.i., here is an explanation of vertical tracking angle
and stylus rake angles:

https://fromvinyltoplastic.com/cartridg ... roduction/

[TC Chris]

Agreed--the various geometric concerns are lessened when using a conical stylus anyway.

Chris Campbell

[William]

That's an interesting read, Mr. Mogul. Thanks for sharing.

Bill

[hermitcrab]

not to steal the thread... but which carts are replacing the flip over carts on 1200 series changers nowadays? one channel on the cart I have is dead ...the schematic calls for Astatic 80-D , electro voice 97, or sonotone 20T... all of which are surely extinct by now... Gary's site just says to contact him on these ...I would guess these to are going with the p-226 generic carts?

[TC Chris]

It may depend on which NOS cartridges he has that are still functioning. Can't recall what he sold me for my V-M 566 with that changer. The file on it is buried right now but I could excavate if you can't find out.

Chris Campbell

[hermitcrab]

not in too much of a rush to change it... like the idler wheels ... if the set will get used , I will change it...otherwise with the cost of idlers now I am not changing them unless it will be played ... every VM table I have needs one...

[William]

Just about everything that I work on that needs a cartridge Gary sends either a P-226 or P-228. I'm guessing most originals are now long gone and if you are lucky enough to find a NOS it might be junk too.

I have had good luck with slightly sanding the idlers. I place them in an electric drill, on a slow speed, and then just hold a fine sandpaper, in like a half circle, and slightly apply pressure. You would be surprised how good this works. It's not perfect, but it does by some time so one can make a decision on whether to replace or not.

Bill

[TC Chris]

I've done the same thing but with the sandpaper disc on the drill, and the idler held against it using a nail as an axle. Angle the axle slightly (so the wheel doesn't just rotate, it skids slightly). Works fine for glazed ones. For ones that are truly petrified, in lieu of buying new, try using a big O-ring to replace the tire.

Chris Campbell

[TC Chris]

For more surface area, use two O-rings side-by-side.

Chris