Thorens TD-125 MKII rework

[Elite-ist]

@Sunnbobb: I hadn't heard of Steve Morse until I bought the album. His songs have made it to my past mix tapes.

@derek92994: Thanks Darcy. I, also, have been using a local technician for the past couple of years to do all the servicing on my components. He works out of his home and - although quite much younger ( who isn't at my age?) - he is very passionate about old audio gear.

Nando.

 

[derek92994]

@Sunnbobb: I hadn't heard of Steve Morse until I bought the album. His songs have made it to my past mix tapes.

@derek92994: Thanks Darcy. I, also, have been using a local technician for the past couple of years to do all the servicing on my components. He works out of his home and - although quite much younger ( who isn't at my age?) - he is very passionate about old audio gear.

Nando.

Nando, have you done any internal work on cassette decks in the past, like pulling a transport out and servicing it?
I can see the sense in getting a technician to do it, that would maximize the time for enjoying the gear.

 

[Elite-ist]

Darcy: It's not worth the expense, time and probably my trial-and-error approach to work on my own audio equipment. There are specialized tools such as alignment gauges, torque tapes, test equipment, etc needed to properly repair, adjust and calibrate cassette decks. I have a good working relationship with the technician I use. He helps me and I help him. He has made me money by working on components, I sold on consignment.

Nando.

 

[derek92994]

Darcy: It's not worth the expense, time and probably my trial-and-error approach to work on my own audio equipment. There are specialized tools such as alignment gauges, torque tapes, test equipment, etc needed to properly repair, adjust and calibrate cassette decks. I have a good working relationship with the technician I use. He helps me and I help him. He has made me money by working on components, I sold on consignment.

Nando.

For me, A lot of trial and error in the earlier days, messed up a deck or two. I have never owned an alignment gauge, or torque tape, but I do have a test tape which was made by a technician.

 

[Sunnbobb]

Finished the rework! everything balanced and aligned.

 

[8991XJ]

So you sourced a TD-125B faceplate to eliminate the cuing switch. Nice.

Like the DIN on the back.

Having the speed adjustment wheel centered is a mark of a recapped nicely working unit.

Enjoy

 

[J!m]

Lacewood arm board.

Approved.

 

[Sunnbobb]

So you sourced a TD-125B faceplate to eliminate the cuing switch. Nice.

Like the DIN on the back.

Having the speed adjustment wheel centered is a mark of a recapped nicely working unit.

Enjoy

Thanks man! I did do a full recap, and shielded the wiring. The faceplate was sourced from Vinyl Narvana, and the Micro Acoustics tonearm was sourced from Japan. The Leopard wood was ordered from Hardwoods Inc. Also installed new springs from VN.

 

[Sunnbobb]

Lacewood arm board.

Approved.

The bits for cutting out the recess cost more than the wood! LOL

 

[laatsch55]

Beautiful work bud!!

 

[Sunnbobb]

Beautiful work bud!!

Thanks!

 

[J!m]

I think I have a 4’ long board x 3/4 thick x 5” wide left over. English lacewood in my case but it has a very similar figure- just more of it.

I have a nice piece of blood wood as well with growth rings on the face (branch or something) but it looks like a stone dropped into a pond.

 

[Bob Boyer]

That is a gorgeous Thorens! Seeing too much great work around here - I'm about to get jealous. About.

I still know what I'm good at it - and it's buying stuff.

 

[Sunnbobb]

That is a gorgeous Thorens! Seeing too much great work around here - I'm about to get jealous. About.

I still know what I'm good at it - and it's buying stuff.

LOL. For sure. I'm thinking I'll move this one on, buy a nice Orbit turntable, and use the extra to start another one. But it's hard to move on! (which explains why I have 12 motorcycles. hahaha)

 

[Sunnbobb]

I think I have a 4’ long board x 3/4 thick x 5” wide left over. English lacewood in my case but it has a very similar figure- just more of it.

I have a nice piece of blood wood as well with growth rings on the face (branch or something) but it looks like a stone dropped into a pond.

That is exactly what the TD 125 arm board uses. 5" x 3/4. Beautiful stuff that lacewood.

 

[8991XJ]

I sold my 125 as I picked up a 126. Now the 126 has a black control panel, black arm board and a black floating chassis, the gray part on the 125. I like the Magnepan tonearm and it is black, too.

I have to make a different arm board just so I can see the tonearm on the table. I could paint one of the 125 boards I have but there is Hearn Hardwoods about 30 minutes from here and they have a nice selection. It might be a while because the table has an arm and I have other tables.

Now back to the discussion of Sunnbobb’s nicely updated 125 II table. I like the lacewood, too.

 

[Elite-ist]

Thanks for posting the progress on your Thorens turntable. I would have difficulty selling it with the custom work you've done on it. But a buyer would be proud to have a one-of-a-kind TD-125 MKII.

Nando.