These were the same kind of LP records my grandmother used to play on hers(she had the exact same model and year console). Thanks for memories with this restoration.
I have the same exact changer, but it’s not, and it was later model from around 1967, and it’s a standalone Collaro Micromatic which was salvage from a portable stereo record player that I got last year, and it was in poor shape, and the cabinet was fallen apart since it has been store in a garage for so many years. After all of the cleaning and lubricating, the changer works perfectly and plays records really well.
I just wanted to let you know that you have inspired me to rescue old Maggie consoles. I've bought a few from Goodwill for $25-$60, and have been given a few, one of which is VERY similar to the one in this video. It's a '65, also. I'll replace the capacitors and service the record changers, and they're like new. I give them to my friends that are getting back into vinyl. They'll come over and hear my 1971 model and say "THAT'S what vinyl is supposed to sound like!?!?!?" She's a cheapo with 10" woofers. They've all donated their Crosleys. Haha!
The first one I ever experienced was in the early 90s. I was working at a repair shop in Memphis, TN, and one came in for repair. She was a 6-foot tube model from 1961. I did the typical repairs, and thought "OH MY GOD!" when I got her going. Those folks used it as the main sound system in their bar until they moved away. The jukebox was connected to it, and they had "Vinyl Night" when folks would bring their records and play them.
I love your taste in music Brother! Thank you for this post. I finally found a beautiful Zenith console, can't seem to find the year, but I'll look it up. This helps me start the maintenance on it. By the way, it sounds beautiful!
Neat old Magnavox console! Once worked at a Magnavox dealer, and serviced many of them, both the electronics and changers. As you know, Magnavox made some high dollar consoles, with substantial speaker systems (some in a sealed styrofoam enclosure). Consoles have pretty much faded into history, as a consumer item, however, they were built with much higher quality than 99% of the electronics available today. Plus, you could actually service them.
One step closer now. I can totally relate when you talk about not wanting to get into the turntable mechanicals; all it takes is one tiny spring to go flying to wreck a perfectly fine-working turntable. It will be interesting to see what's going on with the FM.
I have one of these which my Dad bought back in 1964/65 here in the U.K. I inherited it from my Father in 1975 around the time the stylus warranty ran out. I changed the cartridge for a Sonotone 9TAHC and all worked well. The model of Magnavox I have has slight cosmetic differences to the one on display here, the knobs are different for one thing. I will say though that if one was to take off the bass knob, one would find a hollow shaft where, if one inserts a (small) screwdriver, one will contact the "balance" control. Other differences are that there is an "On/Off" switch at the top of the radiogram control which controls the 240/110v transformer which switches it on or off. Sadly, about 20 years ago the main power transformer on the original power supply seemed to give up the ghost one night while I was listening to it and it has been silent ever since. Would love to get it going again.
Another fantastic job! I'm sure that changer is happy to be CLEAN, LOL! Great selection of records, too! LOVE the OLD music! How come you never seem to use the 45 adapters that go with the changers after you service them?
Thanks for this video. My records aren't dropping either. I'm going to check for that spring. I got a Micromatic, but it's a 1968 model. It sounds great....
Thanks very much! Mine was missing its spindle, so I got a new one. But it wasn't dropping records. No spring! Now I know why. Will see if I can get ti working.
Andy Williams "Born Free" album hit the album chart May 13, 1967 so was literally a "Summer Of Love" album that was likely to have been played on a lot of these systems. The Four Preps one did not chart but seems to be 1964 from what I can find on the web, a couple of years after their last charted album. I do love their older 1958 song "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" which is rarely heard these days.
I am restoring two similar Magnavox consoles, 1965 & 1967. Not sure if you keep up with any response to these older videos, but three questions: 1)You did not mention if you check or replace any of the resistors, 2) what about the capacitors on the speakers crossover? Don't they need changing as well? 3) would I need an oscilloscope and other expensive equipment to align the AM & FM radios? I do have some great 1990s AM-FM digital tuners (one a Denon, one a Magnavox) that I could use as AUX input and just stick with the Magnavox as an amp for the digital radio and record changer. If the radio portion of these old units is not very good seems like a DIY person will not have the proper test equipment or expertise to improve the radio reception. Your thoughts appreciated if you read responses to this 2013 video. Thanks.
I've found that mineral spirits, like paint thinner or varsol, works the best for cleaning up old grease on mechanical parts like bearings and bushings, WD40 works as well. If it has turned to varnish lacquer thinner does a good job of braking it up.
Great video, just spent a bunch of time on a very similar TT, it has a catch in the auto cycle that I can't figure out, Don't know if you may have an idea what the issue is? can manual cycle one way then it catches, manual cycle in reverse and it will catch again.
Have a similar setup but my repair guy says I need a replacement motor because speed is slower than normal and he couldn’t fix it. Any resource suggestions? I’ve already checked eBay.
I just got something similar and it looks like in needs some work, becasue not even the radio works. How much do you think it'll cost me to get it to work.
Hello, I have a question. I have an old 1970's era magnavox console (model W712) I got the changer itself working, but I got a differnt problem now. Now sometimes she wants to turn on, sometimes she don't! One time it turned on and then turned off on it's own. Any ideas?
I can still read the "10 year diamond stylus warranty" at 9:27. I didn't know that diamond stylus last that long for a ceramic cartridge that requires heavier tracking force of at least 3.5 grams.
I just bought a Magnavox Micromatic console. It had beautiful sound. I locked the tone arm down so it wouldn't move and cleaned the exterior cabinet, laying it on its side. Now it doesn't have very good volume and an uneven sound (softer and louder). I didn't touch any of the electronics. Could something loose inside the cabinet hit the needle when I turned it on its side causing the poor sound quality? Any suggestions?
The arm which holds the needle on my RCA VRT33 The Bowden will not activate. I have to manually put the needle on and off the record. Can you please provide me with any advice as to how to repair this. Thank you so much!
Hello. I have one of these since my wife's grandmother passed away. The turntable seems to rotate a bit too slowly as the music sounds slow when playing records. Easy enough to remove the platter and get to the washers and bearings. But how do I get the whole assembly to come out? I loosened the screws but it just doesnt want to come all the way out to access the motor.
I just bought a 1968 Astro Sonic and I'm not entirely sure how to get the micromatic to set the needle arm correctly. It doesn't come off the stand when the record drops
I'll have to tear it apart and see if I can get a reading on it . this thing has those reversed nuts on the control nobs so it may take me a while to get it apart . before I borrowed a tool from someone but I lost contact with him .
do I need a model number? My grandpa is in love with this, I found one but the stylus is missing. Thanks so much. Is there a number I can call you for more details?
hello I have similar year and make and as soon as I engage the idle wheel to play I get a grinding sound. if I take the small idle wheel off and engage it I get no grinding. I am not sure the problem, as I am relatively new to fixing and trouble shooting. the small wheel needs rubber renew it is very hard and might be the problem. the auto play is also not working I can not turn it to auto it is stuck I dont want to force it. anything will help thank you
LOL....well you seem like a 'car' guy. Your name even sounds NASCARish. But in truth, you can use white lith on sliding parts, but probably not on the motor or fine bearings. Instead, invest in a tube of Lubriplate. It's designed for sliding mechanisms such as record changers. Use a light machine oil on bearings and the motor. Unless there is serious issues, a sparing shot of WD40 on the changer mechanisms will tend to free up and reinvigorate old dry lubes and such. Avoid disassembly of the changer is at all possible.
+Carl Rudd thank you! you seem like a cool cat. you just saved me a headache later on down the road! p.s. nope.no car lover here.hell, i cant even drive to be honest!
I live in the Richmond, Virginia area. Does anyone know if there is anyone in this area that could do this kind of repair on a similar stereo? The radio works but the turntable is slow and sound is not optimal.
YOU WILL NEVER FIND IT BEEN LOOKING ON EBAY, ETSY ,BONANZA FOR 2 YEARS . IT IS A MAGNAVOX MICROMATIC RECORD PLAYER MODEL W604-06-03 1965 CURRENTLY TO DATE DON'T EXIST!!
Do you know of someone who can repair components out of a higher end 1961 Magnavox Tube Console for me? I'm having problems finding someone who still does this.
I have a 1964 Magnavox, the workings are identical to yours. Phono needs a new cartridge -- sound is weak (tinny) after the stylus accidentally dropped onto the turntable platter. Radio works fine but the sound is a little distorted. Does this sound like minor or major problems? My uncle was a repairman but he's deceased.
pgh45rpms, it sounds like it needs to be cleaned up, maybe the buttons on it, like volume and bass and treble and balance buttons needs, the de-ox-it product to clean up the sound problems with the switches causing that,( it's contact cleaner spray)
@radiophononut I like your videos you make . I should do a video of changing the MCS3001D chips in my Sony television . Its a KV40XBR800 40 inch set the last of Big HDTV sets For CRTS .
back in the 60's we used to call Magnavox magnacrap. it was something for the masses as an introduction to hafiz. it was something to fill up your tacky living room.
Hi I got my record player freed up and greesed up but it is not dropping the records propperley. It is like the the spindle isnt holding them tight enough. More than one your buggered!
Kissamy good idea! Just a tiny drop of wd40 should revive old grease. Tried it and it actually works but not permanant solution. Thanks for advice! :-D
My GOD! This is a BEAUTIFUL looking unit man! Someone has a piece of art!
I like the the way these changers detect record size by tapping the edge of the record.
Great Job Nice Stereo...now that's a stereo I would not mind having built to last... Your amazing in the work you do....
These were the same kind of LP records my grandmother used to play on hers(she had the exact same model and year console). Thanks for memories with this restoration.
I have the same exact changer, but it’s not, and it was later model from around 1967, and it’s a standalone Collaro Micromatic which was salvage from a portable stereo record player that I got last year, and it was in poor shape, and the cabinet was fallen apart since it has been store in a garage for so many years. After all of the cleaning and lubricating, the changer works perfectly and plays records really well.
I just wanted to let you know that you have inspired me to rescue old Maggie consoles. I've bought a few from Goodwill for $25-$60, and have been given a few, one of which is VERY similar to the one in this video. It's a '65, also. I'll replace the capacitors and service the record changers, and they're like new. I give them to my friends that are getting back into vinyl. They'll come over and hear my 1971 model and say "THAT'S what vinyl is supposed to sound like!?!?!?" She's a cheapo with 10" woofers. They've all donated their Crosleys. Haha!
The first one I ever experienced was in the early 90s. I was working at a repair shop in Memphis, TN, and one came in for repair. She was a 6-foot tube model from 1961. I did the typical repairs, and thought "OH MY GOD!" when I got her going. Those folks used it as the main sound system in their bar until they moved away. The jukebox was connected to it, and they had "Vinyl Night" when folks would bring their records and play them.
I love your taste in music Brother! Thank you for this post. I finally found a beautiful Zenith console, can't seem to find the year, but I'll look it up. This helps me start the maintenance on it. By the way, it sounds beautiful!
Neat old Magnavox console! Once worked at a Magnavox dealer, and serviced many of them, both the electronics and changers. As you know, Magnavox made some high dollar consoles, with substantial speaker systems (some in a sealed styrofoam enclosure). Consoles have pretty much faded into history, as a consumer item, however, they were built with much higher quality than 99% of the electronics available today. Plus, you could actually service them.
My parents had one of these when I was little. They ended up replacing it with a cheap stereo that sat on a shelf.
5 years late. But I just got a magnavox 70's console in the rare side table configuration. The quality of sound with a clean record is amazing.
What a great sounding setup.,nice.looking stereo.great repair job
You are awesome, I really enjoy your channel, such a smart man. Thank you radiotvphononut.
One step closer now. I can totally relate when you talk about not wanting to get into the turntable mechanicals; all it takes is one tiny spring to go flying to wreck a perfectly fine-working turntable. It will be interesting to see what's going on with the FM.
Awesome work, man! I LOOOOVE these old maggies. I especially would like to find a unit like this with an early micromatic changer.
nice repairs, here in the UK we had some beautiful sounding radiograms in the 70s from ALBA Phillips and BSR
Great video I have one from 1967.
Nice Magnavox unit. I would love to own something like this. :)
I don't care what my snooty pooty friends say, I think these old Magnavox consoles sound incredible.
great job as always you never do anything but great work as always now you have another to add to your collection lol and all the best
I have one of these which my Dad bought back in 1964/65 here in the U.K.
I inherited it from my Father in 1975 around the time the stylus warranty ran out. I changed the cartridge for a Sonotone 9TAHC and all worked well.
The model of Magnavox I have has slight cosmetic differences to the one on display here, the knobs are different for one thing. I will say though that if one was to take off the bass knob, one would find a hollow shaft where, if one inserts a (small) screwdriver, one will contact the "balance" control.
Other differences are that there is an "On/Off" switch at the top of the radiogram control which controls the 240/110v transformer which switches it on or off.
Sadly, about 20 years ago the main power transformer on the original power supply seemed to give up the ghost one night while I was listening to it and it has been silent ever since.
Would love to get it going again.
Another fantastic job! I'm sure that changer is happy to be CLEAN, LOL! Great selection of records, too! LOVE the OLD music! How come you never seem to use the 45 adapters that go with the changers after you service them?
Thanks for this video. My records aren't dropping either. I'm going to check for that spring. I got a Micromatic, but it's a 1968 model. It sounds great....
It's working top's... These AM FM the fm always seems to need a realignment. Good stuff!!
Thanks very much! Mine was missing its spindle, so I got a new one. But it wasn't dropping records. No spring! Now I know why. Will see if I can get ti working.
Andy Williams "Born Free" album hit the album chart May 13, 1967 so was literally a "Summer Of Love" album that was likely to have been played on a lot of these systems. The Four Preps one did not chart but seems to be 1964 from what I can find on the web, a couple of years after their last charted album. I do love their older 1958 song "26 Miles (Santa Catalina)" which is rarely heard these days.
great job the sound is beautiful!
beautiful cabinet, exactly the one i'd get
I am restoring two similar Magnavox consoles, 1965 & 1967. Not sure if you keep up with any response to these older videos, but three questions: 1)You did not mention if you check or replace any of the resistors, 2) what about the capacitors on the speakers crossover? Don't they need changing as well? 3) would I need an oscilloscope and other expensive equipment to align the AM & FM radios? I do have some great 1990s AM-FM digital tuners (one a Denon, one a Magnavox) that I could use as AUX input and just stick with the Magnavox as an amp for the digital radio and record changer. If the radio portion of these old units is not very good seems like a DIY person will not have the proper test equipment or expertise to improve the radio reception. Your thoughts appreciated if you read responses to this 2013 video. Thanks.
I've found that mineral spirits, like paint thinner or varsol, works the best for cleaning up old grease on mechanical parts like bearings and bushings, WD40 works as well. If it has turned to varnish lacquer thinner does a good job of braking it up.
Great video, just spent a bunch of time on a very similar TT, it has a catch in the auto cycle that I can't figure out, Don't know if you may have an idea what the issue is? can manual cycle one way then it catches, manual cycle in reverse and it will catch again.
nice job.
Sometimes car wax helps with finishes but you have to be careful. Sometimes it will remove the finish. Always test in an inconspicuous place.
what is the name of the last 45 that was played? the one with the blue, yellow and red label
I agree about tracking force the needle can damage the grooves when it skips
yes the sound is beautiful!
Do you know what resistance your old control is? I've got a couple of junk Maggie astro-sonic chassis that might have one.
I lost the same spring too , I found out the hard way that she wont drop records the right way without that spring .
Have a similar setup but my repair guy says I need a replacement motor because speed is slower than normal and he couldn’t fix it. Any resource suggestions? I’ve already checked eBay.
I just got something similar and it looks like in needs some work, becasue not even the radio works. How much do you think it'll cost me to get it to work.
that sounds much cleaner with the new capacitors
Hello, I have a question. I have an old 1970's era magnavox console (model W712) I got the changer itself working, but I got a differnt problem now. Now sometimes she wants to turn on, sometimes she don't! One time it turned on and then turned off on it's own. Any ideas?
I can still read the "10 year diamond stylus warranty" at 9:27. I didn't know that diamond stylus last that long for a ceramic cartridge that requires heavier tracking force of at least 3.5 grams.
Magnavox and Zenith tracked lighter than that. Especially the newer Magnavox changer.
I just bought a Magnavox Micromatic console. It had beautiful sound. I locked the tone arm down so it wouldn't move and cleaned the exterior cabinet, laying it on its side. Now it doesn't have very good volume and an uneven sound (softer and louder). I didn't touch any of the electronics. Could something loose inside the cabinet hit the needle when I turned it on its side causing the poor sound quality? Any suggestions?
The arm which holds the needle on my RCA VRT33 The Bowden will not activate. I have to manually put the needle on and off the record. Can you please provide me with any advice as to how to repair this. Thank you so much!
Hello. I have one of these since my wife's grandmother passed away. The turntable seems to rotate a bit too slowly as the music sounds slow when playing records. Easy enough to remove the platter and get to the washers and bearings. But how do I get the whole assembly to come out? I loosened the screws but it just doesnt want to come all the way out to access the motor.
There are clips on the bottom that need to be removed
lol 6 years later. hope you figured it out!
Thank you!
Do you have an extra volume control for one of those I need one to get my console stereo going
I just bought a 1968 Astro Sonic and I'm not entirely sure how to get the micromatic to set the needle arm correctly. It doesn't come off the stand when the record drops
I got the same one free yesterday, the changer works and dial lights but no sound from anything
I'll have to tear it apart and see if I can get a reading on it . this thing has those reversed nuts on the control nobs so it may take me a while to get it apart . before I borrowed a tool from someone but I lost contact with him .
I have one but I need to know how and where to get a new needle or stylus for this
www.thevoiceofmusic.com.
do I need a model number? My grandpa is in love with this, I found one but the stylus is missing. Thanks so much. Is there a number I can call you for more details?
hello I have similar year and make and as soon as I engage the idle wheel to play I get a grinding sound. if I take the small idle wheel off and engage it I get no grinding. I am not sure the problem, as I am relatively new to fixing and trouble shooting. the small wheel needs rubber renew it is very hard and might be the problem.
the auto play is also not working I can not turn it to auto it is stuck I dont want to force it.
anything will help thank you
is the tone arm mounted with a magnetic cartridge?
What type of needle does this use? I have the same one I recently got out of my grandma's old house and I have no clues what it is?
Question is it safe to use white lithium grease on these old changers?
+tim parsells yes... in certain places. Like, the brakes. LOL
+Carl Rudd LOL!
LOL....well you seem like a 'car' guy. Your name even sounds NASCARish. But in truth, you can use white lith on sliding parts, but probably not on the motor or fine bearings. Instead, invest in a tube of Lubriplate. It's designed for sliding mechanisms such as record changers. Use a light machine oil on bearings and the motor. Unless there is serious issues, a sparing shot of WD40 on the changer mechanisms will tend to free up and reinvigorate old dry lubes and such. Avoid disassembly of the changer is at all possible.
+Carl Rudd thank you! you seem like a cool cat. you just saved me a headache later on down the road!
p.s. nope.no car lover here.hell, i cant even drive to be honest!
Carry on... there's always a solution. Look before you leap. etc etc. :)
I live in the Richmond, Virginia area. Does anyone know if there is anyone in this area that could do this kind of repair on a similar stereo? The radio works but the turntable is slow and sound is not optimal.
Great work, sounds nice, you keeping this one or going to sell it?
what record is that @ 10:30? I like it.....great work....looks and sounds great!
Suavecito by Malo
Hey, I need a turnable micromatic to complete a console magnavox like this, do you have any for sale?
YOU WILL NEVER FIND IT
BEEN LOOKING ON EBAY,
ETSY ,BONANZA FOR
2 YEARS .
IT IS A
MAGNAVOX MICROMATIC RECORD PLAYER MODEL
W604-06-03 1965
CURRENTLY TO DATE
DON'T EXIST!!
I don't know where you are looking, but if y look on Ebay under magnavox phonograph, you will find many phonographs.
The correct weight for a Magnavox micro matic changer is two and a half to three grams.
thing about them i never liked how the changer is inside i like to see and watch the record drop and stuff thats just me
someone on ebay sells those springs that allow the records to drop
Do you know of someone who can repair components out of a higher end 1961 Magnavox Tube Console for me? I'm having problems finding someone who still does this.
I have a 1964 Magnavox, the workings are identical to yours. Phono needs a new cartridge -- sound is weak (tinny) after the stylus accidentally dropped onto the turntable platter. Radio works fine but the sound is a little distorted. Does this sound like minor or major problems? My uncle was a repairman but he's deceased.
pgh45rpms, it sounds like it needs to be cleaned up, maybe the buttons on it, like volume and bass and treble and balance buttons needs, the de-ox-it product to clean up the sound problems with the switches causing that,( it's contact cleaner spray)
@radiophononut
I like your videos you make . I should do a video of changing the MCS3001D chips in my Sony television . Its a KV40XBR800 40 inch set the last of Big HDTV sets For CRTS .
back in the 60's we used to call Magnavox magnacrap. it was something for the masses as an introduction to hafiz. it was something to fill up your tacky living room.
Can some one suggest a repair contact for this model
Hi I got my record player freed up and greesed up but it is not dropping the records propperley. It is like the the spindle isnt holding them tight enough. More than one your buggered!
people forget that the turntable needs service too
Kissamy good idea! Just a tiny drop of wd40 should revive old grease. Tried it and it actually works but not permanant solution. Thanks for advice! :-D
uh oh I already made a comment a few months ago
+Larry Shaver GET a clue, you.