Rowe R88 new pick up

[jonwarby]

Hi everyone,
This weekend I picked up my first jukebox a Rowe Ami R88.  I've not done much so far.  Just got it to a working state.  Had a few issues where the tonearm wasn't moving to the record as it had jumped the cam and then where it would only play the first few seconds of most records.  Buying a copy of the service manual helped with that one and a small adjust to the auto cancel screw seems to have sorted it.

I've spent a bit of time repairing old arcade machines and retro computers and before buying the jukebox I got an old gramophone as it was a lot less money than a jukebox and I figured if I can get that to a better state then I may have a chance with a jukebox before outlaying any money.

Over the next few weeks I am going to spend time reading some of the getting started tips on here and going through the manual.  Learning how to use it and going through the maintenance sections.  
It came loaded with a good few records but I want to populate it with my choices so will spend some time choosing the right records and printing the labels to match.

I'm going to focus on the amp a little as well as although it's working the sound isn't great.  I'll start with the basics of cleaning contacts and de-oxing the switches as it's bass heavy at the moment and I cant get the bass or treble switches to make any difference.  Once I've taken it as far as I can I'll report back and see if there has been any improvement or if there are any suggestions on what to do next.

[Ken Layton]

You've got probably the best and most reliable 45 rpm jukebox Rowe ever made. My experiences with the Rowe amplifiers of that vintage is to check all the circuit boards for bad solder joints at the connectors and to replace the electrolytic capacitors. In general, that's what I've run into.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Ken,
I agree-- other then the R89, with the rottin' keyboard, the last series of Rowe's, was a nearly a great phono-- The only objections I had to those models was the large plastic cabinet front--not well held-up buy the gas shocks--Gotta few "holes in my head" from them ! Ron Rich

[jonwarby]

Thanks for the comments. It's been encouraging to read the praise from different places about the mechanism in these later rowe models and how refined they are.
Work done since the last post is clean it up a bit. Someone had put fablon on the sides which has now been removed and it's kept the veneer in really good shape. I am trying to find matching paint colours for the greeny / grey top section that's worn a bit but struggling to find a match at the moment.
I've replaced the lock barrel on the coin door as that had been drilled at some point and was rattling around with the bass.
I've removed the battery as it had started to leak and remove some of the soldermask. I replaced it with a CR2032 holder and battery following a guide I found but I would have thought the original battery would have been rechargeable so I was surprised that they didn't add a diode on the guide that I followed but it seems to be working and it's now remembering previous selections. I treated the areas that had started to corrode with vinegar and then an IPA wash. I had some UV cured solder mask liquid so covered up the bare tracks as well.
While I had the control unit out I fitted a heat sink to a voltage rectifier that looked like had it been running hot and cleaned up the connections and hit the switches with a deox spray.
I purchased a 10k variable resistor and a push switch and have put them in a 3d printed box as an external volume and cancel control and I also took the amp out cleaned up the connectors on it and sprayed the switches with deox as well which has helped as I can now reduce the bass to comfortable levels.
Next tasks is to try and sort through the records that were in it and the stack that I had accumulated in preparation to get it loaded with the records I want in it while I continue with the clean up.

Funny you mention about the gas shocks, I am using a broom handle to prop mine open but am very nervous when anyone walks past as I can imagine that would hurt if that hits you.

[Ron Rich]

It was not intended to be funny--- experienced too many falling on my head--it HURTZ !!! Replacement shocks are available-- check with the suppliers in our FAQ's section. Do not go to the "auto parts" store for these -- get the correct ones, as others WILL destroy,the door -- Ron Rich

[jonwarby]

Oct 2, 2021 3:07:51 GMT Ron Rich said:

It was not intended to be funny--- experienced too many falling on my head--it HURTZ !!! Replacement shocks are available-- check with the suppliers in our FAQ's section. Do not go to the "auto parts" store for these -- get the correct ones, as others WILL destroy,the door -- Ron Rich

Interesting, someone mentioned yesterday that some fiesta shocks were compatible.  Will stay away from those then and look to get original parts.

[wdln]

Yeah, especially on jukes with that large plastic lid. Even with the right lift springs, they can develop stress cracks in the upper corners, then you have to get creative to reinforce that area. A lift spring with too much "oomph" will stress that area even more.