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)?
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)?
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
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
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
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
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
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]
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]
This thread is closed to new comments.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/restore-rega-planar-2-1978-1
posted by lungtaworld at 4:31 AM on August 16, 2011