Presto Census

[Angus McCarthy]

Inspired by the Scully serial number quest, let's get a show of hands from all the 6N and other Presto owners out there. Heaven knows there are still tons of these machines cutting, and probably even more waiting for restoration. Time for a virtual family reunion, perhaps?

The 6N, sporting an old Audiodisc for show and an aluminium Audiodisc swarf brush. No. 2374.



Left, an early K - no numerical designation and only able to cut I/O. Right, a later K8. Both need re-capping and I suspect the K needs new transformers as well.



Heads:
Audax H4
Presto 5C (repair underway)
Presto 1-D (in so many pieces)

[piaptk]

I've got two 6ns and a K8. Serial numbers unknown right now.

[tragwag]

I use two 6Ns,
Presto 6N "A" in use with 92A amplifier, and 1D head - serial 2683
Presto 6N "B" in use with 87A amplifier, and 1C head - serial 263

[Jccc]

I have a Presto 6n modified with a home made chip collector and heated cutting needle.

Where would i find the serial number on the machine?

[Angus McCarthy]

It would be on the badge plate, which looks to be missing from your rig - on the front-left corner.

[Steve E.]

Presto 6N, serial #1817, with a 1-D head and 92A amp (serial # may be 344), the latter much modified by me with help from an LA guru/historian of such things. (checking before posting his name.)

[Steve E.]

This is my Presto 6N lathe as it was just before I bought it in 2008. I don't have a better picture handy. I've moved the seller's homemade arm to the front, (works great!!) added a microscope, made various subtle modifications. It looks like it has been through a war but it works.

[Steve E.]

My 92A amp which came with the 6N. Also war torn. It now has the 4-button EQ unit for the 1940s versions of 78 and 33 EQ (though needs bakelite buttons). And I have modified the circuit to make it compatible with modern RIAA.

The seller told me:

"I remember that the machine came from a fellow named J-- B--. He is a sound guy who worked with a variety of old stations in Tucson, and especially with our 1970s prog-rock station KWFM. The record cutter most likely came from KCEE, but I'm not certain of that."

[Steve E.]

The 6N came with the sliding EQ control unit that nobody uses anymore. It was designed to compensate for the loss of high frequencies as the cutterhead reaches the middle of the disc. Once heating was discovered, people chucked these things. Mine is missing the actual EQ-er part of this unit. I think. Type 190S. Serial # A100.

[tragwag]

great to see everyones gear!
Steve, do you need another knob for the dB attenuation?

[Steve E.]

I have one, actually, thanks! The problem is that the actual attenuator is a replacement, and THAT knob won't fit. But I have both a vintage knob and an ugly working knob.

[tragwag]

cool, I had just found one and wanted to make sure you were all set

[Angus McCarthy]

It's interesting to see how much individual character these machines have developed over their history, as they've been parted out and pieced back together. Someone unfamiliar with the equipment might be led to believe they were entirely different models!

[JayDC]

I use a 6n.. I'm modding it, making it sweet...

Technics SP10 motor mounted to the drive shaft of the original platter, so it uses the origibnal body.. the sp10 drives the overhead as well.. CUSTOM vta sp12 tube pre with iriaa and a phono/monitor channel.. vta m-125 mono block amnps.. right now I plan to use one for monitor and one for cutting, eventually I want to put a caruso on it, but I have to convince flow to build me a non-feedback version.. that's what I really want..

Once I mount everything in the console/desk I'll post pics..

All tube pre and 300 watts of tube amp, using 4 kt120 and a gz33 for each... once I go stereo I will build and use a vta-120 for monitoring...

And I can monitor the cut while cutting, or monitor the source.. which is a tda1541a s1 crown dac..

Can't wait to cut something on this, been working on it for a long time...
I just can deside if I want to power coat the metal parts on the 6n or leave them natural after sand blasting, the olive drab has got to go.. I know that...

[Steve E.]

bump. who else? this is far from complete.

[piaptk]

My seven 6ns:
#1- "Kris" no badge.
#2- "Waylon" NYC 1916
#3- "Merle" NYC 2166
#4 "Townes" NYC 1302
#5 "Willie NYC 1305
#6 "Johnny" NYC 1358 (pretty coroded, hard to read).
#7 "C.W." NYC 1972

[piaptk]

Townes, Willie, and Johnny were all found in the same abandoned Seattle studio. Hence their serial number proximity..

[piaptk]

Also... I want to own and run 16 6ns... so if you have one to sell... hit me up.

[Kris D]

@ Mike - Did you name a lathe after me?

[piaptk]

Yes Kris, I named 5 of my lathes after top-notch 1970s country songwriters, and the last one after you, of course.