[Phono-L] Capehart

[RBaumbach]

Walt;

I don't know the tracking mass of the various Capehart pickups, but I  
expect that Greg Bogantz or Doug Houston do.  Capehart changed from a  
magnetic to a crystal pickup for the 1937 MY, and these later heads  
are lighter.

Bob


On TuesdayJuly 14, 2009, at 1:06 PM, Walt Sommers wrote:

> Bob,
>
> Do you know the approximate tracking mass of the Capehart pick up? I  
> am guess it is probably 25 to 40 grams? The RCA Chromium needles  
> would be a concern on the 10-50 or other Victor automatics that use  
> the #5 acoustic Orthophonic reproducer (tracking at a whopping 130  
> grams or so) but assuming that the Capehart's pickup is something  
> like 25 to 40 grams I can't imagine the RCA Chromium needles would  
> be an issue. I recall reading an RCA patent (which I can't  
> specifically call to mind right now) concerning the use of chromium  
> on the needles which briefly discussed the issue of the relatively  
> low mass of electrical pickups versus the higher mass of the  
> acoustic reproducers.
>
> The Victor Soft or Full Tungs~Tone stylus would be ideal for the  
> Capehart as well as most of the early electrical pickups. I can't  
> say I would recommend the Extra Loud Tungs~Tone stylus simply  
> because they are quite aggressive. Others swear by them. Whatever  
> you choose, I would stay as far away from jeweled styli (sapphires,  
> diamonds, etc.) as possible. Sapphires and diamonds would be great  
> if only the designs of the early pickups were better.
>
> I have a feeling I am in Dr. Bogantz's area of expertise  
> here...Perhaps he will jump in.
>
> Walt
>
> RBaumbach wrote:
>> Tungstone needles are probably the best choice for either the 10-50  
>> or the Capehart, and were recommended by both manufacturers.  In  
>> the mid-thirties Capehart recommended the RCA Chromium needles, but  
>> some collectors feel that these are hard on records.  Both the  
>> Tungstone and Chromium needles are still rather plentiful.  There  
>> is a more comprehensive discussion of needles on the bonus page for  
>> the Capehart book (see page 5).
>>
>> Contact me privately regarding the owner's manual and schematics.
>>
>> Bob
>>
>>
>> On TuesdayJuly 14, 2009, at 10:11 AM, jimcip at earthlink.net wrote:
>>
>>> After many years, my 1937 Capehart 404G (serial number 10627E) is  
>>> now functioning & sounds great & is fun to watch as it changes
>>> records.   I have noticed quite a bit of "needle noise" in the  
>>> magnetic pickup when the volume is turned down even though the  
>>> pickup
>>> has been restored.   Is this endemic to a properly performing  
>>> Capehart as I suspect because all the doors to the record playing
>>> compartment are sealed with rubber gaskets, presumable to contain  
>>> mechanical noise or does the pickup need further work?   Also,
>>> where can one obtain needles for playing large numbers of 78s  
>>> without being changed in the Capehart or Orthophonic Victrola 1050?
>>> I have Mr. Baumbach's excellent book on the Capeharts without  
>>> which the repairman who usually works on 1950s & 1960s hifi gear
>>> would have been completely at sea in working on the Capehart  
>>> changer but would like to obtain copies of the owner's manual &
>>> schematics of the tuner & amplifiers.
>>>                                                                                                                                                                    Jim 
>>>  Cartwright
>>>                                                                                                                                                                    Immortal 
>>>  Performances
>>>
>>>
>>> jimcip at earthlink.net
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Phono-L mailing list
>>> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
>>
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