Hi all,

I recently picked up a Kriesler 11-67 Radiogram from my grandfather & I'm trying to get it back to working condition. Now, it has a Garrard RC110 Changer, but is missing it's cartridge- It's been tricky finding any information, I presume because of it's age, I believe it originally held a Garrard GC2 mono turnover cartridge but I'm struggling to find any parts. Does anyone know a suitable replacement?

Should I be looking for a like-for-like, or would I be better off attempting to retro-fit a newer stereo cartridge in place? Or am I dreaming too big?

Absolutely new to Radiograms, but I'm really excited to learn more.

Photo Attached
https://imgur.com/cu8ZDv3
(I understand this isn't how photos are normally uploaded but following the directions provided by the Posting Guidelines doesn't give me access to an email address)

I'm sure Vintage Pete will respond to you!

You are better IMHO to fit a more modern stereo ceramic cartridge.A little adaptation might be needed.

Re the email address for photos, I see what you mean! I can't tell you here because the moderator doesn't want bots reading his email address. I'm sure he will fix it soon!

I believe the Garrard GC2 was a crystal cartridge. Such crystals go to mush eventfully. Much better to find a suitable ceramic however fitting it might be a challenge.

Fixed. No more 404.

It is supposed to have a Garrard RC110 changer. However the one in the picture shows a BSR tonearm, possibly from a UA8 or similar. The cartridge that fits into the bracket is not a GC2.

The Kriesler "Big Six" 11-67 had a long production run, 1956 to 1960. So it is possible the later runs used a BSR changer. You'll soon know if the changer is original by checking the cut-out on the plinth.

Yeah, so I was doing some late night googling and realised mine looks nothing like an RC110. Ill take some photos and see if I can get a brand and get back to you.

See photos attached

I think you’re right in that I have a BSR UA8- from what I can gather these are a pretty trashy, mass produced changer? Now I don’t think I have the budget to replace it, but am I wasting my time in trying to fix it?

All BSRs were pretty trashy IMHO, but with some TLC (clean, lube, adjustment) they can work well. In particular, cleaning and repacking the turntable bearing with the right choice of grease. You may have to replace the rubber jockey wheel if the rubber is split or hardened. Rubber bushes in the motor mount need to be compliant to keep the motor noise out.

Most important for any changer, especially this type, is to clean out all the grease from every moving part. Most of it will have turned to cement or glue by now.

Photo uploaded to Post 7.

Thanks Brad.

So I’m struggling to find the stock cartridge for the UA8. Does HI-G sound right? I’m still absolutely fresh to the phonograph world.

Otherwise back to the point of retrofitting something more modern, would it be a mission to fit a mono, standard mount cartridge/has anyone before me done it? Any recommendations for parts would be amazing

Anything ceramic with half-inch mounting can work. You may possibly need longer screws and plastic spacers. Don't forget to set the stylus force to about 4 grams or whatever is recommended in the instructions that come with the cartridge. That's what that spring under the tonearm is for.

Better to use a stereo cartridge and parallel the channels for mono. Kinder to stereo vinyl.

One source for a suitable cartridge:

https://www.soundring.com.au/kc190-ceramic-cartridge-including-stylus/

Better to use a stereo cartridge and parallel the channels for mono. Kinder to stereo vinyl.

I agree, if you take this step, you will have to ensure that the two outputs from the cartridge are in phase on a mono record and don't cancel each other.

Someone here will be able to guide you through this if needed.

Harold

Okay, so I’ve been researching ceramic cartridges & I don’t think restoring the BSR turntable will really fit in with my aim for the radiogram. Now I might be burned at the stake for this, but my plan now is to rip out the BSR & retro-fit in a more modern turntable with a magnetic cartridge. Thanks for helping me with wrapping my head around everything.

You will need to build/buy a Pre Amplifier and power supply for this approach to be successful.
JJ

I for one won't burn you, at the stake or otherwise, for that choice.

Those early BSRs are a bit sketchy to handle a more modern cartridge such as a ceramic one that will track at about 4 or 5 grams. It requires the whole thing to be in perfect mechanical condition with very careful attention to the bearings and the velocity trip mechanism. A magnetic would be pretty much out of the question.

The old mono crystal with its sapphire stylus ran at about 25 grams I believe! Shudder!

So in addition to a more modern turntable you will need a preamp for the mag cartridge to be compatible with the input sensitivity of the amp. How will you do that?

I have some good valve preamp designs. The original RIAA / RCA design is not bad.

Or you could go solid state. That would allow you, when you tire of the valve amplifier's high levels of even harmonic and transient intermodulation distortion, to feed the signal out to something more modern.

A modern ceramic cartridge is a good match for the performance of that amplifier. Having said that, you will definitely hear an improvement when you substitute a magnetic on a modern turntable (assuming it's interfaced properly of course).