RCA Victor model 6-ES-3 record player

[electra225]

I have this cute little 3-speed record player. It has the RP-197 changer, if I read correctly. I need a needle for my CG changer before I go much further on it and don't want to pay shipping on just one needle, so I think I'll get a baseline and a parts list made for this thing and order what parts I need to make a order for Gary. I know it needs a spindle, probably needs a drive tire, motor mounts and a cartridge. It's in nice shape, so it should build out nice. It has a three-tube amp with a 35W4 rectifier, 12SQ7 audio amp and a 50L6GT output tube. Pictures coming....

Edit.....Bummer. The spindle for this changer is not available at Gary's. I reckon I'll have to call him.

[electra225]

I have some pictures to follow. This is what I know about this little player to this point....

*It's in nice shape. I'd say a 9 out of 10 easily.
*I think we can call this a 1954 model. The two RCA tubes are dated 1954.
*It is not an RCA record player exclusively. It is also a Hummer......
*The 35W4 rectifier is a GE-sourced, Zenith branded tube dated the 30th week of 1964.
*The 4X6 speaker is certified as Golden Throat....
*Motor mounts are shot.
*Cartridge is Astatic (?), unknown model, but may actually be good. Jury is still out, pending getting rid of the filter cap hum...
*Tone arm weight, 7.4 grams.
*The grease on the changer is glue. Changer stuck in reject...
*Two of the hold down bolts may be gone. Are they?
*Changer powered by a GI motor that seems to work fine.
*Drive tire seems good at this point. It pulls thru the reject cycle without stalling.
* I don't know if any recent work has been done, but this is probably the cleanest device I have ever pulled apart for the first time. I've had it almost a year.
*The spindle was bent when I got it. I tried straightening it, but it is really weak and I'm sure it won't work right now. If I can't find a replacement spindle, this will be a shelf queen. I'll not go any further until I find one...

[William]

It looks good, and a Bakelite base that looks brand new. The chassis and speaker reminds me of a RCA 45 player I worked on.

Bill

[electra225]

Well, you know me. I can't resist messing with something. So, I decided to just do the filter caps, for the reason I could better diagnose the cartridge, see if it works without all the filter hum. There are a dozen paper caps in that little chassis. I reckon, while I'm already here, I'd just as well change those. Do you see the pattern here?...

What if I use this as a manual player until I find a spindle? I mean, if the cartridge works, how could I resist sticking a record on just to see how WELL the cartridge works. Strictly business, mind you....

There is a real "what were they thinking?" setup on the speaker connections. Due to the configuration of the speaker and the 45 adapter well, the speaker connections run out the side. There is a phenolic terminal strip that holds the speaker connections. The speaker connections were very happy like they were. I broke that terminal strip trying to get the connections apart. Now I get to fix that.....

The bakelite base is essentially perfect. I cover it every time I work on something. I'm sure to let a tool slip and put a big goober in it. Have you ever seen a used cartridge as clean as that one? I swear I haven't even dusted anything on this player. You are seeing it like it is. It's amazing......

I need to figure out how to manage the changer so I can tinker with it. I don't see any plugs between it and the amp chassis.

[William]

A lot of RCA player of this vintage are all hard wired, I guess they figured they would never need service, except for tubes, or you would just through it away if something serious broke and buy a new one. I kind of figured you could not resist puttering with it, I know I would.

Bill

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Via worldradiohistory.com :

Chassis appears in 1952 Beitman's as RS-142, page 114 (116 in file).

RCA RP-197 changer nice full file in 1954 Beitman's page 95 (94 in file).

Are the cartridge mounts 1/2 inch wide ?

[electra225]

The cartridge appears to be a 1/2" mount. I recapped the chassis. I also found the cartridge is stone dead. Whatever I did to the changer didn't help the "always in reject mode" situation. It will have to come apart so it can be serviced properly. I've never done one, of course, so I'll have to muddle thru. Since there is an amp stage (12SQ7 tube), I'm guessing it has a ceramic cartridge of some kind. This one is a flip cartridge, but I'm not concerned about that. I'll contact Gary to see what he may have in the way of a replacement cartridge.

Do you know of a source for a spindle?

[electra225]

I came across this when I was looking for information on this changer. Apparently, a Pfanstiehl P226 is a good choice for a replacement cartridge. I'm still not understanding all I need to know about this changer.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

Whatever I did to the changer didn't help the "always in reject mode" situation.
It will have to come apart so it can be serviced properly.
Do you know of a source for a spindle?

A spindle will come from a parts donor changer,
RCA part 79242.

An RP-205 up through an RP-215 changer spindle
should be the same as the RP-197, 198.

There might be something over at ARF Classifieds,
if you post a WTB ad.

[electra225]

Thanks, Mr. Mogul! Good information to know. I found a Chris Cuff video on the RP-205 that told me what I needed to know to get the thing apart. The 205 is a later, 4-speed changer, where this one is only a three-speed. It looks like mine on the bottom. This changer may not be all that tough to service. Would you have any input you'd care to share on the hold down thingies I posted pictures of?. I think two of these are missing on the changer I have.

Edit later......I may have come up with a plan on the attachment bolts or whatever you call them. I'll tinker a bit and report back on that. I also think I'll try turning this player upside down on the styrofoam base I use to repair changers. Leave the amp and that in the cabinet rather than trying to wrestle all that out and not break something.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I may have some RCA changer retainer/shipping bolts/clips.

If you still need them, let me know.

[electra225]

I was going to use studs and locking nuts. IF I could get the right parts, that would be better. I don't want to risk breaking the bakelite on this thing by not having the changer secured properly. Thanks for your kind offer. I'll take you up on it, if you have some you can spare.

[electra225]

The tone arm does not have 1/2" mount. It is a flip cartridge. It will probably require using a glue-in kit from Gary. I used one of those on the little 45 player I did and it worked out well. Getting the tone arm off will be the worst part of the job. I have trouble with that process....

[Doug]

if your taking the tone arm off so the glue wont run just remove the turntable and position it so the tone arm lays flat
Doug