Vintage BSR McDonald TT

[lifewater]

Hi just now picked up a vintage BSR McDonald TT marketed by BUSH in mint condition. It has a auto return function and sounds awesome. A lot of these were used by the Britishers in the tea gardens in my place of stay and this one came by that route.

 

[vivek.saikia]

Hi just now picked up a vintage BSR McDonald TT marketed by BUSH in mint condition. It has a auto return function and sounds awesome. A lot of these were used by the Britishers in the tea gardens in my place of stay and this one came by that route.

What amp and speakers you paired that thing up with?

 

[avidyarthy]

PICS please ........ how old is it?

 

[lifewater]

What amp and speakers you paired that thing up with?

Vivek, these did not come with speakers or amps, on enquiry I was told the amp was sold for 500 Rs and the speakers for 5 bottles of local wine 'SULAI' !!

PICS please ........ how old is it?

Will surely put it up

 

[lifewater]

PICS please ........ how old is it?

Should be of late 60s or early 70s vintage.
ImageShack Album - 5 images

 

[malvai]

looks wonderful.... though, it seems that it will take only ceramic cartridges....

 

[lifewater]

looks wonderful.... though, it seems that it will take only ceramic cartridges....

Thanks, I really dont know about the cartridges. Some more light on this would be helpful.

 

[wishihadtubes]

was just wondering if you've adjusted the weight at the end of the tonearm? (at least the black thing screwed at the back of the tonearm looks like a weight.)

 

[lifewater]

was just wondering if you've adjusted the weight at the end of the tonearm? (at least the black thing screwed at the back of the tonearm looks like a weight.)

Yes you are right that is a weight and can be adjusted by turning a small knob. I did adjust but it was more of a hit and miss. Have got the original weight setting but am waiting to borrow a mini jewelers scale (digital) from one of my friend.

Regards

lifewater

P.S. good observation though

 

[wishihadtubes]

I asked abt the weight because you have it set at 3 in the pix, which i think is a bit too much for one of these models. Should normally be about 2.
BTW, you're supposed to loosen the weight and move it till the arm floats horizontally without any support. Then tighten the weight without moving it any further.
After that move the ring with the figures (just the ring, not the whole assembly to 0). After that move the entire assembly to about 2.
This video should help YouTube - adjusting the weight on a turntables tone-arm

 

[wishihadtubes]

sorry i missed the earlier bit about the cartridge... the BSR HT70, to the best of my knowledge, would use a magnetic cartridge. Replacement stylus wont come cheap though, one British website lists it for over 25 pounds!

 

[lifewater]

sorry i missed the earlier bit about the cartridge... the BSR HT70, to the best of my knowledge, would use a magnetic cartridge. Replacement stylus wont come cheap though, one British website lists it for over 25 pounds!

Yes found out about it lately. Do you have any link to websites describing the TT in detail ?? As of now the cartridge is top notch so would last some time.

 

[sachu888]

Yes found out about it lately. Do you have any link to websites describing the TT in detail ?? As of now the cartridge is top notch so would last some time.

Hi,

The HT70: In the early 70's, BSR made a competitor to the Garrard SP25 which was the BSR MP60. Same kind of deal entirely, a very inexpensive idler drive semi-auto. They also made the HT70 which was identical to the MP60 in every respect, I think, except that it had a much, much heavier platter.

Source: Vinylengine
You can find cartridge and stylus here :

Record Needle : Stylus N 216

If you are looking for serious vinyl listening try to get another TT as this will not satisfy your need.BSR's were always cheap and never audiophile.


Regards,

Sachin

 

[wishihadtubes]

@lifewater
As Sachu suggested, vinylengine is a great source for info on old turntables. You may even get the service manual and user manual for your TT. I found the service/user manual for my Garrard at the site and was able to carry out some repairs by myself.
The BSR McDonald was an entry level player and it's a great way to get back into vinyl while you make plans to pick up a better platter.
Cheers

 

[Assumbnom]

Test, just a test

hi, new to the site, thanks.

 

[syam]

Balfour Princess

Hello,
We have an old Balfour Princess auto changer gramophone. The arm of the gramophone had broken and cartridge too missed from that arm. So any one could help me by providing suitable cartridge for it. can i get any technician for it any where in india

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b4xld2mjg8ixasj/IMG_20160831_090034_HDR55.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dvstasyy8re0mvo/IMG_20160831_09062.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/u2zle8m2k7l65yd/IMG_20160831_090627.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ghoji1v0eqore5/IMG_20160831_090212_.jpg?dl=0