Mona Lisa Nat King Cole 78 on an Admiral 1954 5D3 Record Pl

[lrd9999]

That player looks great. I have one like it, but it needs some polishing. The rubber idler and belts also need replacement. Does anyone know if that changer was made by Admiral, or if it was a dressed up VM. The feelers look VM like, but the controls look unique to Admiral. Thanks.

[jwl9286]

@lrd9999 This Record Changer is NOT a VM. VM slides a plate back and forth to operate the various functions. The Admiral rotates a round disk with teeth everywhere around it except the play position. When reject or the Velocity trip device at the record inside groove is activated the dead spot is filled and the cycle begins. A triangle plate then pushes arms that cause the tone arm, spindle drop, and all other operations to begin. Not fool proof but it does function well most of the time.

[lrd9999]

@jwl9286 That makes sense. I took a closer look at my unit and didn't find any signs of VM parts; Admiral must of used the same feeler setup (with whatever licensing fees that entailed) and did the rest themselves.

[lrd9999]

The VM changers I've seen also have the gear with the dead spot, but it's below the deck, above the slider you described. I believe there were some VM changers from the '60s with the gear on top though (Radio Shacks mysterious $19.95 "Famous Maker" changer looked VM like on the outside). Who knows, they might have bought that design when Admiral left the changer business.

[2agray]

Oh I remember those. Admiral was a good brand. Daddy always said if buying a record player or radio to get an admiral.

[JPa311979]

I love the design of that record changer! Certainly a lost art when it comes to quality workmanship such as that!

[owlydog]

A M A Z I N G sound and I LOVE the song you picked to play very clean player :-)

[maynardcat]

This is just like the Admiral I found at the flea market for 1.00. I haven't got it working, it needs new caps etc.

[owlydog]

hope you get it working

[umajunkcollector]

It's a little like the Admiral rekee player used in the Townky movie (search in my vids).

[jwl9286]

I looked at your Townky video and it's the Admiral Radio/Phono version one model before the one pictured in my video. I really enjoyed seeing it though because I have several of those units too. Thanks so much for the posting and I do love your video's where I can look at the stuff I would like to have but I have too much already. Thanks again Jim.

[amberola1b]

@umajunkcollector you saw that movie too? I thought i was the only person who remembers that one. I recorded it on video some time ago, and except for all the stupid commercials, it was some cheezy B sci-fi movie. But I`m glad I got it.

[CrisVangel]

Such a lovely record player and song and such a great video! reminds me of my own, a lot! check one out and you'll see.  Anyway, your video is quite classy! Five stars +++ I love old record players now I will be looking for one like that one to add to my collection, when I can afford it! LOL.

[jwl9286]

I must tell you it is not the original Cartridge. I replaced it with one I located on Ebay. It is a Mono Cartridge though and somewhat from that era. My YouTube Admiral that is playing Elvis is using an orininal cartridge. The 5D3 is my favorite model Admiral and what I had as a kid too! Thanks

[Anderskh]

lots of highs for a 78.

Is that the original cartridge ?

This Admiral is the first one I ever worked on when I was 6 Years old.

[PJDooWop]

If they're clean and played on the proper equipment 78s can produce brilliant highs. I was really surprised when I outfitted my technics turntable with an ortofon 78 stylus. Amazing sound!