Rek-O-Kut model LP-743 - Pics Added

[De Soto Frank]

Just discovered two very dusty Rek-O-Kut machines Model LP-743.

Are these worth rehabilitating ? ( Thinking of setting one up to play electrical 78's / transfer to digital...)

Both appear to have their original cartridges with the red "turn-around knob" to select from "LP" or "78" (If anyone can ID that cartridge and model from the photo, I 'd be grafetul ! )

Thanks...

[OrthoSean]

Most certainly. They likely have GE VR cartridges in them, which perform reasonably well, but I'd upgrade to Stantons which would give you much better playback results. I have a couple of VRs mounted in headshells that I use from time to time. A mono LP, 45 or 78 can sound phenomenal played on one of these provided you've got soft rubber in the needles these use, otherwise, they can tear your records to shreds.

Sean

[De Soto Frank]

( Bump - pics added. )

[phonojim]

Great turntable if you can lift it. I once had a portable?? Rek-O-Kut overhead lathe recorder which used this turntable and contained the rec/pb amp and speaker. Unfortunately, I never got around to restoring it. The cartridge is a GE RPX series. I don't know that I would try using too sophisticated of a cartridge in that arm. You would be better off with a more modern arm if you want to make the switch.

BTW: I use a GE RPX in my Garrard RC88 with excellent results.

Jim

[Wolfe]

No pitch adjustment, so you're locked in at 78 and don't mind some records that won't play at the right speed.

Hoping the idler drive isn't too rumbly.

And you can work out the cartridge issues.

Maybe it'd work out okay.

[De Soto Frank]

Thanks for replies....

Actually, it's pretty light for the size of the cabinet. There's a small amp chassis under the motorboard (pre-amp?), other than that, is just a box with a turntable & tonearm.


I'm hoping it basically functions as-is; I oiled the TT shaft, and it spins very nicely; the motor runs and all speeds function.

Hopefully sometime this week, I'll get a chance to hook it up to an amp and see how it works...

I'm hoping that cartridge is magentic (Maybe even magnetic!), as opposed to the (usually dead) Rochelle-salt crystal pick-ups.


Regards,

DS Frank

[hillndalefan]

I recognize the cartridge as a General Electric VR II which is indeed a magnetic cartridge. I've been unable to find a 78 stylus for mine for several years---the manufacturers seem to think a worn 33.3 stylus is OK for 78s. This was a really nice turntable and tone arm assembly when new. If you have trouble with the idler wheels, you can soak them for about an hour in automotive brake fluid and it will help soften them up again. I was given this tip about 15 years ago by a former employee of Magnecord, Inc.

[phonojim]

The cartridge shown is an RPX series, not a VRII. An Rpx is entirely metal like this one. A VRII is only shielded on the front half; the rear half is plastic. Can't remember for sure but it seems like the neeldes for the two are slightly different.

Jim

[OrthoSean]

Jim is right, they are different needles.

Still, it is magnetic and they are available.

Frank, I may have spare 78 needles for the RPX cartridge. I know I sold some a few years ago, but I may still have more of these left. If you get it up and running and you find that you need one, let me know and I'll check out my GE stock. I had, at one point, a lot of them. I can dig through the stylus archives and see what I've got if you find you need one or two.

Sean

[Swing Band Heaven]

Given the clearance around the turntable this one might also be good to play 16" disks - always a bonus when looking for a turntable. Even if you don't have any 16" disks it doesn't hurt to plan for the future