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Hi,
I need some help again on another project. I fixed the record changer and now i am working on the amp .I have better than a ¼ volt in the pick up lead wires, if i change the 2 tube around i get a loud hum but nothing when i put them in there proper lugs. I was wondering if it could be just the cartridge since it does have voltage at the wires . Does anyone know how much is normal and do you think a $ 35.00 dollar cartridge might be the only problem. I know about the leaking capacitors but these all look good. Any help would be appreciated !!
Thanks Eric

I don't quite understand what you are asking. Have you replaced the cartridge or are you asking if a $35 (Bosco I assume) cartridge will solve the problem? If you are still using the original cart, chances are it's dead. You mentioned two tubes. Does your amp use a selenium rectifier? If so, it will likely need to be replaced with a diode. If you haven't recapped the amp, it's not likely to work. Usually replacing the electrolytics will get it working but replacing the three or four paper caps is always a good idea. Much of my stuff is packed away since I'm about to move so I don't have access to my folders but IIFC, the 45-ey-3 takes a 1V cartridge.

Squire wrote:I don't quite understand what you are asking. Have you replaced the cartridge or are you asking if a $35 (Bosco I assume) cartridge will solve the problem? If you are still using the original cart, chances are it's dead. You mentioned two tubes. Does your amp use a selenium rectifier? If so, it will likely need to be replaced with a diode. If you haven't recapped the amp, it's not likely to work. Usually replacing the electrolytics will get it working but replacing the three or four paper caps is always a good idea. Much of my stuff is packed away since I'm about to move so I don't have access to my folders but IIFC, the 45-ey-3 takes a 1V cartridge.

Thanks for the reply. I don't have the Bosco cartridge yet i can get one but was wondering about that voltage reading i did get a capacitor kit but i don't know what the selenium rectifier is?
Can you describe it for me?

Thanks Eric

If you have chassis number RS-136 you have selenium rectifier. If it's a different number, you don't. If you have two tubes you do and if you have three tubes you don't. The selenium rectifiers are usually square and made up of thin sheets spaced apart. They are often orange in color but can be yellow or a sort of mustard green. They often die of old age and need replacing.

Squire wrote:If you have chassis number RS-136 you have selenium rectifier. If it's a different number, you don't. If you have two tubes you do and if you have three tubes you don't. The selenium rectifiers are usually square and made up of thin sheets spaced apart. They are often orange in color but can be yellow or a sort of mustard green. They often die of old age and need replacing.

No mine doesn't have it i checked online at pictures and descriptions.

You should be in good shape then but you'll still need to recap the amp and replace the cart. Most ceramic replacements (including Bosco's) aren't 1V carts and can leave the output on these units a little puny. Finding a 1V cart that works might limit you to mono records.

Squire wrote:You should be in good shape then but you'll still need to recap the amp and replace the cart. Most ceramic replacements (including Bosco's) aren't 1V carts and can leave the output on these units a little puny. Finding a 1V cart that works might limit you to mono records.

Does that voltage reading seem normal to you ? At the cartridge leads that is.?

ehs004 wrote: Does that voltage reading seem normal to you ? At the cartridge leads that is.?

No, but it's not likely to be correct until the amp is recapped. Three tube phono amps are really easy to do compared to a radio. Especially since you won't have to deal with replacing the rectifier.

Those 45 players used a cartridge that contained a Rochelle salt crystal which absorbs moisture over the years and looses its piezoelectric properties. The ey-3 uses a two stage amplifier so you will have no problem using a .5 volt cartridge like the one in Willie Bosco's kit.
You can go ahead and buy his kit if you want to do it the easiest way but you can save yourself some money by using the needle gaurd from the original cartridge as a mounting bracket. The same cartridges Bosco uses are availible on eBay for pennies. https://www.ebay.com/itm/191732580862 These cartridges are great.

Just file down the rivets and pop off the needle gaurd. Then you want to carefully flatten out the little fingers. Glue the needle gaurd to cartridge with the fingers facing towards the terminals.

I've restored many 45 players and I love them. Have fun!

Victrolaboy wrote:Those 45 players used a cartridge that contained a Rochelle salt crystal which absorbs moisture over the years and looses its piezoelectric properties. The ey-3 uses a two stage amplifier so you will have no problem using a .5 volt cartridge like the one in Willie Bosco's kit.
You can go ahead and buy his kit if you want to do it the easiest way but you can save yourself some money by using the needle gaurd from the original cartridge as a mounting bracket. The same cartridges Bosco uses are availible on eBay for pennies. https://www.ebay.com/itm/191732580862 These cartridges are great.

Just file down the rivets and pop off the needle gaurd. Then you want to carefully flatten out the little fingers. Glue the needle gaurd to cartridge with the fingers facing towards the terminals.

I've restored many 45 players and I love them. Have fun!

Question to Victrolaboy , do you think my voltage reading is correct and the cartridge will fix it?