There was a time when all the cool kids had a 45 RPM record player. [RF Burns] picked up a 1950s-era player from RCA. However, it needed a lot of work. The good news? We get to see the teardown and the result in a two-part video series, which you can see below. If you are looking for the schematic, you’ll have to wait for the second video.
These were made to be cheap, so there were many parts that needed replacement or, at least TLC. The automation of the record changer was all done with an eccentric wheel, which is satisfyingly low-tech. We were surprised that it still seemed to work after everything was cleaned up.
Inside were two active tubes and a rectifier tube to amplify the signal from the needle. A coat of paint made it look great, and a polarized power cord made it safer.
There was also an unamplified version of the player you can see at the end of the second video. All the same things except for the tube amplifier, of course.
If you are too young to have fond memories of 45s, here’s a primer on how records work. The record player we really want is mobile.
It’s great to see a restoration like this. Great job ! There is so much old “tech” like this that has faded away except for the rare finds at thrift shops and flea markets. It seems no one cares. I have even seen boxes of player piano rolls advertised as use for art projects and scrap paper. Sad. Glad this gem was rescued. I like really liked the short video that got straight to the demo. One thing…. even though 45’s were discontinued in the 90s (except for jukeboxes and collectibles) and Player – Baby Come Back was from 1970, he would have been a “real cool cat” and “hip” to play some Elvis, Big Bopper, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis to start the demo. 😎