Presto 6N guidance suggestions? (piecing together)

[JayDC]

I have a fully fictional 6n turntable that I do not use.. Not sure if I'm ready to part with it, but if you're interested shoot me an offer, and we'll see what we can do..

[JayDC]

hahahaa!!! functional.. dumb auto-correct..

[MBL]

PM sent.
Tim
MBL

[piaptk]

If your head is working, i would not recommend getting it rewound right now. Both Len H and Gib are having major problems... I own 8 heads and only one is working. The other 7 are spread out between Len and Gib and they are having a lot of problems getting them working... So, keep it until they figure out what is going on...

[powerstrip]

If your head is working, i would not recommend getting it rewound right now. Both Len H and Gib are having major problems... I own 8 heads and only one is working. The other 7 are spread out between Len and Gib and they are having a lot of problems getting them working... So, keep it until they figure out what is going on...

....so in a nice way ....pssst... get in the back of the line!!

[powerstrip]

Honestly a lil late after jay stepped up and offered, but.

Most the performance of that 6N seems to be in that overhead mechanism, I could see the turntable being quieter through another setup.

It is easier just to match them up, and, you will have to very precisely drill/tap your hole through a chassis if you are planning a mix 'frankenlathe', but once you have those overheads, you are getting pretty close to the ballpark, you just need a decent transcription table and some serious machining.

Just my thought on three overheads with no platter

[MBL]

Haven't yet heard back from Jay with particulars, but I think I will try and get a proper Presto table. I kinda don't want to frankenlathe it...although, I know that it is a viable option.
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

So I may have the table problem resolved?! Crossing fingers still. But now I have a question about tonearms. What I seem to notice as typical on a 6N is the Audax brand. Now there is surely a pecking order of quality. Can anyone make some suggestions on a model to look for?
Thanks
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

Oh and while I'm asking, anyone know what kind of cutterhead is on this overhead assembly?


Tim
MBL

[Angus McCarthy]

I can't say I've ever seen one like that connected to a 6N overhead - it looks like it has an extra mounting bracket added. Are there no identifying marks at all?

It does look somewhat similar to the early Western Electric field-coil Vitaphone cutter, minus the long dampening shaft. Maybe a close cousin?

[MBL]

Is there such a thing as an Olsen head? I think I remember someone saying something about an Olsen. I'll have to pull it off to see if there is any kind of name. Makes you wonder why someone would go through the trouble when a presto head would fit right on.
Tim
MBL

[tragwag]

from what I've heard that is an Olsen head.
please correct me if I'm wrong, but I've heard Len Horowitz say he first used that head with a presto setup when he started.
I've seen a couple of those, and they have no identifying markings from what I can tell

[Angus McCarthy]

In that case, pic definitely saved for reference!

[MBL]

Here are some pics. Now Does anyone know anything about an Olsen head? And why would you go through so much trouble getting it to fit? It is on there with some precision. This one is marked 500 ohms...in the middle No.5 is on the right and SER.C is on the left. Ideas?

[Angus McCarthy]

I'm willing to bet that the design points to an early date. It would explain having to add the special mounting bracket. It's awfully chunky, and again bears a resemblance to the early WE cutters:

(why did I not save the pictures from that auction!?)

[tragwag]

we have one here at Complete Mastering,
I believe it's from Al Grundy's place.

The most identifiable characteristic of the head, is it's weight.
It's a good 1/2 LB or 8 oz
Very solid feeling.

It has, on both sides, a little viewing area to see if the stylus is set correctly.
The holder seems to fit a smaller stylus than the Capps long shank I use with the Presto 1-C and 1-D heads.
But there also seem to be other adjustments on the sides that I can't budge at the moment.


here's some pictures, sorry they're from my phone:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/insidejoke121202/0402131142_zpsb2e5059c.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/insidejoke121202/0402131143b_zps443ced8f.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/insidejoke121202/0402131143_zpsfb4d8a00.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/insidejoke121202/0402131143c_zps09a21a27.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/insidejoke121202/0402131144_zps165b3dc9.jpg

[MBL]

Yup. That's the one. Any info available as to when they were made or how good they are?
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

So I picked up an Audak/Audax AT-12 tone arm. Any thoughts on these? What do all you folks use for tone arms?
Tim
MBL

[MBL]

So here's a little update, I got some more Presto reel equipment in a second tower.



And in the not counting your chickens before they're hatched category...I may have my turntable situation solved. More to come on that later.

Not pictured in the new tower is that I have put in an Ampex 601 preamp and reel and an extra Ampex 600 preamp. The light on the bottom, is from a 1930's Steam Locomotive, and not for use in the studio...yet.
Tim
MBL

[Angus McCarthy]

*so much equipment lust*