Can I revive a 25 year old record deck?
August 16, 2011 4:23 AM   Subscribe

I have a record deck (Rega Planar 2) which has not been used in 25 years. What is the chance it is still usable?

I want to digitise my LP collection this winter. I have a Rega Planar 2 (a good deck in it's time) which I have not used since the mid 80s. In the interim it has been stored in reasonable conditions: dry, cleanish, not too cold/hot.

Is it sensible to try and revive it? I have an amp of a similar vintage which is still going strong although it has been powered up almost continuously in that time. I have not tried powering-on the Rega yet and obviously if the motor doesn't work then it goes into the bin/eBay.

I will probably need to get a new cartridge and almost certainly a drive belt. I presume the pickup arm and wiring will be fine. Will the motor still be likely to work (accurately)?
posted by epo to Grab Bag (7 answers total)
 
There is some info on restoring a Rega Planar 2 here:
http://www.stereophile.com/content/restore-rega-planar-2-1978-1
posted by lungtaworld at 4:31 AM on August 16, 2011


I still use a Planar 3, Rega made very good kit, I'd suggest a drive belt change and try it, I'm willing to bet it will be fine.
posted by hardcode at 4:54 AM on August 16, 2011


I don't think motors generally go bad. The belt might, though.
posted by empath at 6:04 AM on August 16, 2011


Response by poster: Thanks all. The belt should be cheap, I was going to replace that anyway.

Rega sell lubricant for the motors and my gut feeling is that if it a simple job then relubricating the motor before firing up is prudent as doing otherwise might wreck the motor. Am in touch with a local dealer about pricing on lube and belt (and motor).
posted by epo at 6:09 AM on August 16, 2011


Make sure to clean and/or lube the platter bearing.
posted by TrialByMedia at 7:24 AM on August 16, 2011


Response by poster: Thank you TrialByMedia, the platter bearing will certainly need oil, I remember now from dim 30-year-old memories, it was lubing the bearing I thought was necessary, lubing the motor is a shop strip-down job.

I have been quoted £14 for a belt and been told that a new motor would render it uneconomic to repair. Anyone know off-hand what oil to use for the bearing?

Quite excited now, would love to see the deck spinning again and playing the copy of Sgt Pepper I bought as a teenager.
posted by epo at 10:48 AM on August 16, 2011


If this has been stored horizontal and well boxed I really doubt if any lube will be needed. Try contacting Rega directly, they are very helpful and generous,

Anecdote: and ex-girlfriend of mine managed to tear the arm off my Planar 3 (don't let a medieval historian use any equipment post 16th century), Rega took it in for repair and sent it back with a new arm for the cost of postage and packing, polished and shiny new.
posted by hardcode at 1:28 PM on August 16, 2011 [1 favorite]


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