1974 Newcomb School Record Player Model RT-15 Repaired Demo

I got the phono cartridge to work by heating the cartridge mount with a heat gun and carefully inserting the cartridge. The cartridge holder plastic had swelled up and the cartridge would not go in all the way.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• newcomb
• school
• record
• player
• 1974
• model
• RT
• repair
• phono
• cartridge
• 78
• RPM

[damusician]

Is that one of those aftermarket version of the Astatic 89T cartridge? I bought couple of those, but they ruin some of my 45s. I don't know if it's the way its made or it has a specific weight requirement. All my school record players have the original Astatic 89T carts in them and they're safe for all records.

[retrochad]

This has a gold colored cartridge in it. This was the same type of cartridge we used in the record players in school in the 1980's. The turnover mechanism is jammed so it will only work on 78 on this particular player.

There are some brand new replacements which have either just 78 or just LP styli in them.

Probably the Astatic are the best though.

[Lachlant1984]

Does that dial behind the arm actually light up? I take it this unit can also play 33's and 45's.

[retrochad]

Yes it does light up. The phono cartridge is stuck in the 78 position so I don't use it for LP's (would have to replace the entire cartridge setup and I have other machines with LP-only needles).

[grassulo]

@MMiiKKee95 the 89T is a 2 needle "flip over" type cartridge, one side for 33s and 45s the other bigger side for 78s which have wider deeper grooves, so it would sound the same, same cartridge just another needle on the opposite side.

[SpeakerFreak95]

Did you replace all of the electrolytic caps?

[brianfromLI]

and I noticed that the needles that fit in the black cartridge holders didn't fit into the blue cartridge holders. However, I did some searching online for the Astatic 424RR and could not find it anywhere. Have you ever replaced a cartridge holder on one of these phonographs?

[brianfromLI]

I know why you had a hard time getting that gold colored cartridge to insert into the cartridge holder. I notice that the cartridge holder on this phonograph is blue in color. The Astatic 89T cartridge is actually not the correct cartridge for that holder. The correct one is actually an Astatic 424RR. The cartridge holders that took the 89T were black in color. I had the exact same problem trying to interchange some needles between a few Newcombs I have in my collection...

[BiblicalReader]

II have this record player, I stumbled upon this video when trying to find a replacement needle that is LP/78. Well, I suppose nowadays it's if you have to replace a cartridge, replace the whole thing! I picked up the entire player for $30 and I'm gonna just use it until it doesn't even turn on!

[coondogtheman1234]

Nice record player I used these player in music class in grade school they r built like a tank and that big speaker sounds fantastic, id like to find one of these in the trash or at a yard sale somewhere and fix it up, i would even add an stereo AUX input and a switch like between the pre-amp and main audio amp so i can plug in an ipod or aux device into it.

[MMiiKKee95]

hi i have this record player and it takes the 89t cartridge but it has an 81t in it now. are there any differences between the two? i think it doesnt sound really really good but if i put an 89t in it would it sound better?

[TDMrecords]

i agree, trance...

magnetic is the way to go!

[TDMrecords]

chad... regardless of what people tell you, piezzoelectric cartridges like ceramic ans crystal DO wear your records down and produce bad sound quality. Keep in mind that these Califones and Newcombs were meant to withstand abuse in schools. I recommend upgrading to a magnetic pickup and a better turntable for that. These old behemoths are just practical for quick listening. I have one in my dorm room here in college- back home i use a technics SL1200 with a Stanton 680ELII cartridge and stylus

[ginsud]

If you lift up the arm there's a spring that attaches to notches underneath the tonearm to adjust the weight as well. Pulling it towards the front decreases the tracking weight. I have the Newcomb EDT 12 C model. This feature is also found on Califones and Audiotechs.