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Looking for another Phono crystal cartridge rebuilder !
#1

Does anyone have another source that rebuilds those old crystal phonograph cartridges ! I have used West-Tech, way back when they were down in Florida, having good looking , working products , but as of late "Gib" at West-Tech, in Ohio, appears to do the repair work at his own leasure, with a long waiting period on the finished product , and the physical appearance , leaves much to be desired, especially if you ever intend to sell your radio/phonograph ! And then their is the NO response to e-mails or phone calls for weeks at a time or in my case, never did get a response !
Someone else must also be doing that service, any ideas ? Lee Petrie, Joliet, IL. 815-744-1051
#2

I'm not aware of anyone else doing this work.

I just had a cartridge from an RCA-Seeburg changer rebuilt by West-Tech a few weeks ago. The turnaround was amazingly fast, and the cartridge works very well indeed. It looks fine to me; the only difference I saw in its appearance was the replacement of the rivets originally used. It does not matter to me if they replaced the rivets with screws.

I think your only alternative is to try rebuilding it yourself using Syl Vanier's instructions here on the Phorum:

http://www.philcoradio.com/phorum/showth...p?tid=1019

I plan to try it myself sometime using Syl's instructions. I had West-Tech do this one for two reasons: I wanted to play Christmas records on my Magnavox Regency Symphony, and I haven't quite worked up the courage to tackle such a project.

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#3

Hi Ron,
It has been awhile since we last talked, as I remember it was over the same rebuilding issues ! The screw issues in place of the rivits don't bother me at all, but the lag in receiving the product back and not returning my e-mails and phone calls did upset me very much , but that was 2 or 3 years ago, maybe he has changed his ways ! I just might have to try his services again, if all else fails ! Syl had rebuilt those crystal cartridges up in Canada , but as of late I have not been able to contact him by e-mail, you would have a current address for him ?
One last request, if I may ask, if I e-mailed you a "cropped" picture, could you get it down to the correct "pixel" size, and add it to my profile !
Have a nice Holiday down your way, Lee Petrie, Joliet, IL

lee_mar_petrie@yahoo.com
#4

Yes, by all means, send me the photo you want to use as your avatar and I'll make it work. Icon_smile

Syl no longer rebuilds the cartridges. This is why he posted the how-to in the Phorum, so that all of us could learn from his experience. I truly appreciate his willingness to share his expertise with all of us here in the Phorum.

Merry Christmas and Happy 2011!

--
Ron Ramirez
Ferdinand IN
#5

Hi Lee,
I had WestTech reubuild a cart 2 yrs ago and it came out great, customer was happy.
As far as another rebuilder, a quick search turned up a fellow Donald Cochrane philcokid2@cs.com that supoosedly rebuilds crystal carts, and jukebox parts.
I have not used him, nor have any connection with him, just passing the info along so you can check.
Good luck,
Gary.
#6

Hi Gary,
Thanks for the suggestion of another rebuilding source , I'll be sure to drop him an email ! West Tech ( Gib ) was good in the past , years ago, but I take in repair work for others, the wrong needles supplied , cartridges that appear to be more "tatered" than the one I sent and 3 weeks on returns of the finished product has gotten me upset !
Thanks again for your help, Lee Petrie, Joliet, IL.




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