Suggestions for broken strobe

[ejp626]

So I finally set up my turntable after having it packed away for most of a year. I primarily use it to transfer LPs to .wav files, so it just sits on my desk. I'm sure some day I will have the space for a decent system, but with very young children running around and knocking over things that day is several years away.

Anyway, this is a Vector Research VT-155. Nothing fancy but it did its job well. When I got it going again, I noticed that I was having a great deal of trouble seeing the strobe light that helps me adjust the speed. This is one of those units where it is all internal (so just buying an external strobe won't work because all the markings that you could use are underneath the platter). I took everything apart to see if the mirror needed adjusting and so on. Now it looks like the little light itself has burned out. I really don't feel competent enough to break out a soldering iron and put in a new light, even if I could find this part. And the mirror still seemed to have slipped, but I couldn't figure that out either.

I will get in touch with the store (in Chicago) where I bought this, but I am not expecting they do repairs. Any other suggestions? I'm guessing that with labor costs and so on, I probably should get another low-end turntable, since it will work out to around $100 in either case.

It really kills me, since the player sounds fine but I just don't want to have to guess at adjusting the speed, since the whole point is to play the records once while converting them over. Thanks for any suggestions or just commiseration.

Eric

[Teasing the Korean]

They make/made strobe discs that you set on your turntable like a record. I have seen them made of both metal and cardboard. You just make sure you're looking at it in fairly bright artificial light.

Here's a free one you can download and print:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/freestuff.htm

Edited June 28, 2008 by Teasing the Korean

[ejp626]

They make/made strobe discs that you set on your turntable like a record. I have seen them made of both metal and cardboard. You just make sure you're looking at it in fairly bright artificial light.

Right, but if you put a LP on, then how would you see the markings? With this turntable, even fairly small differences in LP thickness and weight means you need to adjust the speed.

[Teasing the Korean]

They make/made strobe discs that you set on your turntable like a record. I have seen them made of both metal and cardboard. You just make sure you're looking at it in fairly bright artificial light.

Right, but if you put a LP on, then how would you see the markings? With this turntable, even fairly small differences in LP thickness and weight means you need to adjust the speed.

You put it on before you play the LP, or if you're bold, you place it on top of the LP. These are usually 7" in diameter or smaller.

[ejp626]

They make/made strobe discs that you set on your turntable like a record. I have seen them made of both metal and cardboard. You just make sure you're looking at it in fairly bright artificial light.

Right, but if you put a LP on, then how would you see the markings? With this turntable, even fairly small differences in LP thickness and weight means you need to adjust the speed.

You put it on before you play the LP, or if you're bold, you place it on top of the LP. These are usually 7" in diameter or smaller.

I was having a senior moment. It's a good suggestion. I'll still see if they can repair it, but if not, I am sure they sell the strobe and strobe disk.

[Teasing the Korean]

There are also strobe turntable mats.