Record Selector Buttons on Rockola 1458

[johnlivo]

So, I am very close to powering up my 1958 Rockola model 1458 for the first time, after doing so many repairs on it.  And I realized I haven't given any thought at all to the Record Selector Buttons.  When pushed down, none stick and seem to push in pop back out ok. But this machine has not moved for 5 to 10 years so I am wondering, should I be using something like Deoxit 5 or doing anything to get good responses from these buttons when pushed?  Is so, what do I use, and where am I trying to get it?


John in Portland, OR

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
You do not want to use ANY-thing on these buttons ! I don't recall that keyboard exactly, but if there is a "solenoid" or anything with a coil, like a play meter, it must first be removed-, then the whole keyboard assembly washed with HOT soapy water--rinsed, and re-washed with ammonia (soapy type, if you can find it), mixed water, rinsed in hot water again, and re-assembled, using a 1/2 drop of 20 wt oil on moving parts--sliding parts should have a dab of graphite applied. Dry it out totally, prior to use ! Ron Rich

[johnlivo]

I see, thanks for all the information. Do you recommend doing this even if the buttons are all free and moving?

John in Portland, OR

[Ron Rich]

Hi John,
Yes--you don't care about the "buttons" --you care about the switches--Ron Rich

[johnlivo]

Ok, thank you Ron, I will look at my manual to get some idea how to remove things.

John

[johnlivo]

Hi Ron, and everyone on the Forum,

So, at last I have an update for you.

You may not remember, but I worked very hard on my 1958 Rockola Model 1458 for about six months last year. But then when I finally went to power it up, almost nothing happened. I checked so many things, and did quite a few other little things, but still it almost seemed dead.

I really didn't know what else to do, and didn't have anyone to help with troubleshooting locally. So, it sat for all this time.

Then last week, I got motivated, and went on line and found a retired Rockola repair guy in my area. He no longer works on machines, but agreed to take a look at it after hearing how much I had done it.

Well, to make a long story short, I hauled it to his house, I gave him my manual, and he started at point A with the Power Supply Box, and worked his way through the machine till he found that the Number 1 Micro Switch was not adjusted as it should have been.

As soon as he got it adjusted she started moving and even playing! The motors I had rebuilt, the gripper arm that had been frozen, the old dead amp, everything I had done with those six months of hard work came to life!

So, I just wanted to share that with you, and thank you for all your help, and patience last year. It was a big help, and I truly appreciated it.

Well, I think I still have some things to do before it is really playing well enough to enjoy it, but it is definitely moving in the right direction.

So, you will be seeing more of me again here. And when it is all done I will post some pictures.

Thanks again!

John in Portland, OR