Wurlitzer 800 sound

[Ron Rich]

Hi Tyler,
Had you done what was "requested" of you in the User Introductions"--"---rules" post, you probably would not be asking this question, or, I might be able to come up with someone who can help you-- Ron Rich

[Startgroove]

The Kit 87 works with either Crystal or Ceramic pick ups. Be sure that the one you choose does not have the center post on the plug broken off. I don't know what area you are in, so I can't say who would be a convenient person for rebuilding the Kit 87. You might put a query into the Antique Radio Forum, there are lots of people there who are capable of that. Cheers, Russie

[wurl800]

Thanks Ron,
But I couldn't find much in User Introduction section to help me solve the W800 sound problem, Maybe, I was looking in the wrong spot.

Russie, indeed, the kit I bought has the center post broken off the 8-pin vacuum tube adapter. I take it, that a replacement part is not obtainable, but is this part still usable?

I am trying to figure out how to connect the kit (if and when it is repaired). There are 2 connections coming off the kit: a 2-prong male plug and the 8-pin vacuum tube adapter. Where are these 2 connections made, and how does that connect to the volume control box and the tone arm?

Yes, I do plan to do the clean-up procedures, earlier described.
Thanks for any help,
Tyler

[Startgroove]

The center post in the large plug is what orients the pins to the proper connections.  That plug goes into either of the 6L6 tube sockets, and then the 6L6 plugs back into the top of the plug.  Without the center post it is difficult to orient the pins correctly, but not impossible.  If you look at the base of the plug, you probably will be able to tell where the guide pin was. Then, looking at the tube socket, you can tell where the guide ridge on the plug fit into the socket.  Aligning of the two as you plug in should work.  However, you must be sure of the correct orientation, if it is wrong, damage to some parts could happen.  The safest way, is to replace the plug base.  You can salvage the base from an old vacuum tube, for a replacement.

The connections are as follows:  The big plug into one of the 6L6 sockets, then the tube into the top of that.  There will be a shielded cable that should have what looks like a plug that is identical to the old style that was used to plug into a household wall socket.  That one plugs into the top of the volume control box.  It will fit either polarity, so you will have to plug in both way to find the one which gives least hum and best sound.  The last connection is an RCA connector located between the tube and the electrolytic condensor.  The lead from the pick up cartridge plugs into that.

If you send me your email address, I will send you pictures of what such an installation looks like in a 780 Wurlitzer.  The installations is the same for all of the 24 record models.

Cheers, Russie 

[Ron Rich]

Hi Tyler,
No, you won't find any help in the User Intro. section, what you might find is the request to add your location, so maybe, just maybe, there is someone close by, that can help you ? As for the broken alignment key-- I'm sitting here looking at a broken one from a 5U4 tube, it came off yesterday. What I did in this case, and do anytime it's missing, is study the bottom of the tube-- You can see the index marker--then I mark pin #1 on the tube's base, and pin#1 on the socket, and CAREFULLY insert it, properly--Ron Rich

[wurl800]

Thanks Russie and Ron,
You can contact me at [e-mail].
I did notice the RCA outlet on the Kit cover, but was wondering how a standard plug from the tone arm would interface with it.
I'm going to cross my fingers and hope the kit works, after I'm done with the contact cleaning.
Should I give the Kit 87 a good spray of electronic cleaner? It's pretty dirty.
Ron, I will mark the 6L6 amp socket and Kit adapter to make sure they line up.

I'm putting a good-sized order together for VG, but will not include the VC mod kit.

thanks again,
Tyler

[Startgroove]

Tyler, You will have to change the plug on the end of the cable that comes from the tone arm to an RCA male. Be sure the center pin on the plug is soldered to the center wire of the cable. Cheers, Russie

[parker9019]

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and also working on wurlitzer 800 jukebox. I have a question on the tone arm. Can the ceramic cartridge be replaced to play 10 inch 78 vinyl records? If anybody has any knowledge of this being done,that would be great. Also I noticed that plugging the tone arm into the volume control box is polarity sensitive. Now its marked the correct way so I don't make that mistake again.
Will

[Ron Rich]

Hi Will,
The cartridge has nothing to do with the size or speed of a record ? That phono was factory set to play 10 inch 78 records, only. Ron Rich

[Startgroove]

Will, It is possible to convert to a modern crystal cartridge. It is complicated and unless you have good expertise, it should be done by someone who is familiar with the change over. It involves removing the old magnetic cartridge and weights, installing a special bracket and ceramic pickup, installing a pre-amplifier and modifying the reject system.