How to service your BSR record changer - basic services only 

Man!!!! Even with one hand he made it look like a piece of cake...u don't realize how hard and complicated those mecanismes are until u start working on one..HE is a PRO and a really good one to make look so easy

Thanks! I just acquired a BSR player that was spinning fast. I followed your cleaning with the wheel and removed the grease and put new on grease. It's like magic. I truly appreciate your video and more amazed you did this with one hand.

Oh, and as an aside---I'm impressed that you work in an electronics repair shop. In today's throw-away society, repair shops are starting to become a thing of the past---I think it's great that guys like you are still out there, because you're needed

Hehe, I fixed these in the 70's when they were new, because they occasionally would freeze even that early in their lives. I kept a small bowl filled with a degreasing solvent to dump the center bearing parts into for an hour or so, to dissolve the lube. I used either hard plastic or wooden tools to scrape off old grease, along with q-tips soaked in the solvent, to avoid scratching the surfaces of the various parts (pins, levers,etc). Cotton rags and spray solvents were used to finish-off all cleaned points, and then when the entire mechanism was degreased and clean, good old GC Phonolube was used to re-lube every point, except the parts in the end-of-record trip sensor and its associated rod. Those were always left dry and clean. I never used acetone because it and its vapors are carcenogenic. I usually used isopropyl alcohol 99%, but there were a couple of flouro-based solvents available back then, which were also dangerous, but they worked very well for the final degreasing of an operating point. Usually sprayed those outside and very sparingly. Great use of the soldering gun and heat gun there. I never had to go that far back then. I used 4 hardwood blocks to support the inverted turntable on the bench, to avoid putting any pressure on the tone-arm. That's about all the tips I can remember - it's been since the 80s since I stopped doing commercial repairs. Thanks for the video!

That was fantastic, thanks for taking the time to show that process, much appreciated.

This video saved my record cabinet and I am so thankful that you took the time to walk us through the whole cleaning process. Thanks you so very much!

I consider this video (and your VM series videos) to be an invaluable resource. There are many thousands of BSR's still out there, and I'm sure this video will help many. Great job! Oh, and very interesting about the 1000-grit sandpaper on the idler wheel---I never thought about that, and I've got a VM that would benefit from that. It's not completely hard, it's just starting to get a little stiff and "greasy" if you will

Great video as always JP. One note, after cleaning and oiling the star wheel it wouldn’t always move the tone arm over at the start so I cleaned it again an reinstalled it without oil and it works fine now.

You are the best Jordan!!! I was looking everywhere for a guide for my Sony HP-161 and came across your video. My records have never sounded so good and smooth. All the features now work on my old girl and she is singing again. You're providing a very valuable service. Thanks again!

Thank you so much. I have a BSR 220S that froze up and I was able to get it running with your help.

Thank you for the clear and detailed video. I followed your guidance to repair a completely seized Fisher 225-XA (BSR C123R2.A.6). It sounds fantastic and works like new now.

Jordan, Excellent servicing information. Thanks for showing all the little details. You're absolutely right about oiling the idler wheel. For my first record player servicing, I did an old Voice of Music record player and found that, after servicing it, there was a tiny squeak that wouldn't go away. Removing the idler wheel and putting a very tiny drop of Zoom Spout Oil on the axle shaft solved my squeaking problem. I was extra careful not to get any oil on the rubber idler wheel. Regards, Tom

I found this video while trying to repair my old BSR turntable that's been in the basement since the stone age. I'm pretty handy with these things, and couldn't imagine why the turntable wouldn't come off after removing the cir-clip. Figured I was doing something wrong. The soldering iron trick worked like magic! Who would have thought that grease could harden to the point you have to chip it off? Great video, thanks for the tips.

Hey bud.. I have now got 2 fully functioning bsr tables because of your videos. Thank you so much for sharing your information. I followed step by step and nailed it!

Thanks so much for the vid. Could not have got it running again without this.

Thanks! I have a Garrard SL55B top mounted into a Marantz receiver, The Model 28...the guts of the Garrard are very similar to this BSR and your video helped a lot in getting it run.

I just bought a bsr turntable probably one of the last 4 speed models and did what you're doing and it now works great

Thanks for this video. I had one that was seized up, but once I got the turn table moving, the center metal piece wanted to move no matter how much heat I put to it. I used quarters around it and increased the stack of them a little art a time, and when I got to 8 stacks off 5 quarters each, when I applied heat, the turn table finally came off. All of the other steps in your video helped me get it running again. Thanks.

I'm working on a BSR in a Panasonic FM/AM Stereo Music Center SD-203. Each step-by-step direction is very clear to follow. I have two more BSR's in other systems that I will work on in the future. These are units from my high school and college years in the 70"s. They have sat around for 40+ years and now I'm refurbishing one for my youngest daughter! As a former teacher, I will say thank you for the precise and clear directions.

Fantastic video! I have had my BSR for over twenty years. I moved 6 years ago and finally got around to unboxing it only to find that it was slow. I will apply everything you show here and it should be good to go.

Thank you so much for the video. As a young married couple we purchased a PYE 3in1 in 1977 and has been laying unused in our garage for over 30years. It has the same turnrtable as this except it has the 2 pole motor. Your excellent video has helped me greatly in getting it going.

Thanks for the tips. I got my nearly identical BSR turntable unseized and running again. I didn't find your video first and used another, which was helpful in getting the platter free and the top stuff unstuck. But it didn't cover any of the underside maintenance like yours did, and mine certainly needed help there too.

Good work, JP. Once serviced, these units may perform well. I am nearly ready to try my hand with a Dual 1225. Thank you.

this is the best BSR video out there. thank you for sharing your knowledge and being so detailed. i was able to restore an old morse/electrophonic console stereo back to working condition! thank you again!

Very good explanation of lubricating the turntable, a great video, thank you for the great explanation.

I haven't even finished this vid and I am in awe. I have been passionate about recorder changers since I was a kid. You have changed my life. I want to start restoring record changers. I hope I can have contact with you.

You are amazing. Thanks so much for this video! I just bought a readers digest media cabinet complete with cassette deck, 8 track, record player and even am/fm + alarm clock. The bsr unit was completely seized up… you saved my $6 goodwill investment

A relative was done with her BSR Panisonic 3in1. The BSR was stiff, so stiff, in every way being kept near the cold salty front door. Now its back doing what its maker intended, thanks to this video.

awesome!!! I've got an old BSR turntable that I installed for my folks in a console stereo over 40 years ago. The platter spins OK and probably needs this service, the speed and power switches are frozen so, based upon your vid I'm going to pull it out and see if I can get it going. Thanks!! Fantastic vids

Thank you. Got my almost 50 year old seized turntable working perfectly!

I have one of those on the bench right now. This video will help a lot since this thing is pretty much a solid block of non moving parts.

This video has restored my grandfather's old record player. Thank you!

Thank you so much!! This video helped greatly! We are complete novices to Record players.

Thank you JP walked me through the service. Very much appreciated, works now!

Amazing! Thanks so much for taking the time to explain everything step by step, I'm happy I brought back to life this turntable. Gracias!

Jordan, thank you for these videos. As a novice who is teaching himself to service old stereos, these videos on cheaper tables are perfect. Also, the tracking for comment made me laugh hard.

Great video. I just got a nice stereo cabinet for free. The main problem was the on switch was locked. Used your tip and got it working in just a few min. Thanks. I am saving this video so I can do the rest of the repairs once I have the phonogreese

+1 subscriber. I had a BSR record changer with basically identical mechanics on the underside, and between taking apart and wondering what needs to move better this is going to help fix the unit after not being ran for 20-30yrs. Only difference is that I had a Zenith SI-4140. My particular one had that bearing piece you were heating up around 9:30, and instead of being metal mine was a hard plastic. so had to use penetrating out to loosen it vs heat gun :)

Thank you. Still and probably always relevant and useful. Gives me confidence to tackle my own. Impressive simultaneous one handed camera and bench work too!

Thank you!!! Picked up a Realistic Lab 52 which is just a BSR C-182. The while dang thing was seized. I was able to get most of it unlocked, but couldn't figure out the start switch. But this video saved the day. Cheers!!!

I just repaired a BSR turntable from a Superscope MS-30 using this video…your right, the best I could track was 3.5 grams. Thanks for all the helpful information…she works great!

Under the cam, the metal part that pushes the cam spring'd starter (looks like it's pointing at the center spindle), is missing a ball bearing under the novel cut out! It's the same ones that are on the center spindle/record plate in center. Good video!!

Thank you for this video! Was able to fix one up my lady just bought. Easy to follow and fun to complain along with you when customers try getting in before the open hour ;)

Thanks for this. I am going to resurrect my BSR 310 AXE that I had set up for playing and digitizing 78s. The turntable is frozen up now after storage. I've already rebuilt a BIC 1000. This looks similar. Thanks again for the excellent video!

100% perfect!! Thank you so much! Mine was not seized up but it turned very hard. It is now up and running perfectly thanks to your video!! You da man!!!

I have just begun to clean my player up thank for the excellent video and tutorial.

Awesome video! Learned alot about the mechanical parts and I thank you for that. I watched the whole video, and when you got to the end to check for cycling of the cam, it worked! However, you didn't shed any light on what to do if it doesn't cycle correctly. I bought a Hitachi Stereo for $3 and went through it completely, but everything was freed up. I did clean all switches. The problem I have is that when an album is loaded and I switch to start, the record drops, but the tonearm stops short of the landing groove and returns to the pedestal. This seems like a "size" issue, but it is set on 12". So then I changed size to 7" and 10" and the tonearm goes to the appropriate spot on the record, but immediately returns to the pedestal. The turntable is a SP-916 based on the manual I purchased online. When I manually place the tonearm on the platter, the album plays fine to the end, returns to pedestal and shuts down like it should. The tonearm goes to the appropriate location, no matter the size set, but won't drop down on the record and play. Hope this is clear enough. Love the attitude fixin this stuff and a customer at the door to early. lol. Help!

Fascinating and informative and all done one handed. Thank you.

Great video as always. I’ve picked up a couple of these on eBay and I noticed that they play quite fast ( a common problem with these ), so I sanded the shaft slightly for the 33 and 45 positions and it worked great. Time consuming because you have to keep checking it with a strobe disc as you go, but well worth it.

I was fixing these bsr changers at about 10 years old lol, i would suggest putting the rubber drive wheel on a lathe to even it out apply gentle pressure with 1500grit paper, it might look level but it wont be they never were from new. anyway im glad your channels back mate, good stuff.

Very informative and educational. Thank you for taking taking the time to make this video.

Thanks so much for this vid. I followed it one by one and fixed mine the way you did!

Holy snort thanks man I was able to fix my dad’s turn table with your video! The speed selector messed up and all I had to do was reseat it properly 🎉

Thank you my friend, you help to restore music in my house, and a little confidence in my ability to follow instructions, well done, and cheers

Wonderful video. Helped get my zenith back in running shape

Working on a Zenith JR596W turntable currently. I've looked at a bunch of these repair videos last night and today. Tried the soldering iron trick, tried tapping the center spindle with a heavy screwdriver a couple times, tried 3-in-1 oil yesterday, let it sit overnight, tried it again today. Held the soldering iron in the center hole for nearly 10 minutes. Even after all that, the turntable will just simply not come off at all (though it's doing full 360 rotations, whereas before the turntable itself was literally stuck in place). My fingers are all chapped now from continuously pulling up on the edge of that metal platter, lol. I feel kinda discouraged, like this thing is never going to get fixed. One interesting thing to note about these turntables is, if you spin it manually with your hand and flick the auto switch, you can actually see the tonearm mechanism go through its motions and place itself on the record, return to its holder, etc.

Thanks so much for the video! Helped me fix a repetitive bumping that I had! Just cleaned and reapplied grease! Thanks

THANKS Jordan for all your help.

Thanks for this excellent demonstration. Am going to try to apply at my new acquired bsr built in the 60's which is totally dead, in the mechanical aspect only. But in the electronics, to try to scout for old school technicians.

I used to have a small ultasonic cleaner filled with ispropyl that I would throw the parts in while I cleaned the mechanism. Same with 16mm projectors, slide projectors, r to rs etc. Saved a lot of time.

This video is gold. Turns out it’s not that easy to find good videos on that topic on RU-vid ..

I have one of these in a Lloyds console, and this video got it working again.

REALLY thank you very much!!! Saved me a lot of troubles!

Thank you very much. This was instrumental in repairing my turntable.

When I was in vo-tech school in the 70s we had some fixtures that would hold the turntable while you worked on it. I can’t remember who manufactured them, they made servicing them easier.

This BSR record changer has the worst grease ever. It should all be removed. Use 30-40 Q tips. Got one in 1974 and went bad by 2000. Haven't used it since. But now I know how to fit it thanks to Jordan!

This was so well done and helpful. Many, many thanks.

Thank you very much! I repaired my phone with your help!🎉

Thanks, this was a great help to get my TT running again. My rpm on phone ap says it is a tiny bit fast but I think it sounds great. Has an old Pickering cart.

So I bought the ferguson p128 as mentionen and basicallt followed every point in your video, and voila, it seems to work perfectly :) Now the tonearm seems to not align perfectly in height etc so I need to check how to tune everything. Thanks alot for this video

some of your comments remind me of when still at college i upgraded my BSR UA12 TT to stereo with a SX5 ceramic pick up the 1 valve amp in the Dansette & a exturnal valve amp in a old tape recorder the only purchased part was the pick up for £5:00

... everytime I watch this vid I pick-up something I missed the time before; kudos on it.

Thanks for the video. Helped me out tremendously

Own a BSR ...still play mine 👌🏼 ... enjoy this video very much indeed.

eres un verdadero crack. He conseguido recuperar el viejo tocadiscos de mi padre de más de 50 años gracias a tus indicaciones. God bless you!!

Thanks, it worked, of course. Saved me a big headache.

Nice work sir got my mom's record player working again.

i use a 1875 watt hardryer on a 1973 Magnavox changer to get the grey cycle gear wheel off too i also used lighter fluid to soften the hardened grease after it sat for half an hour

I just serviced my Radio Shack Clarinette 105 following these instructions as far as I could. On this type of cabinet, I was not able to take the whole platform off due to it being inaccessible means to get to those two screws to release the platform from the cabinet. But I was able to pry the platform up enough on one side of the platform to be able to spray some WD40 on the mechanisms and gave it time to work itself in and then I worked the control knob gently till it broke free. I did have to use a cheap soldering iron to heat up the spindle shaft till the platter was able to break free. It did not take as long as in this video to heat up. After removing it I did take the cam gear off. I did not use any machine oil or lube but olive oil to lube and oil up the areas mentioned in this video. When done I assembled everything back and it does work now except I, as he did in the video, put the spindle in wrong and I have to try and figure out how to put it in the correct orientation so the auto drop will work. But I gently pat the record down and the needle arm comes over and drops down and plays to the end and stops. Some people don't like these types of stereo but not everyone can afford to spend $2,000 on a stereo system built of different components.

Perfec tutorial. Without it I would ruin my Sony HP-319 with it’s BSR R141. Bought it as not working second hand. I could move none of its parts. Spinning now, speed selector works, start/stop also. I do not have any spindle to test (both missing). On an old record I can hear some strange noises. Hard to center the record. Not sure if cartridge is ok. I hope you continue what you are doing. Thanks for the video!

Thank you! A very helpful video!

Thank you ever so much. One-handed is epic! Really helped me out with a Ferguson Studio 20D that I got recently. Can't find phonolube anywhere and not sure of a good substitute.

I think methylated spirit instead of other more aggressive solvents will do the job. For re-lubricating the various shafts and sliding surfaces I use sewing machine oil and vaseline, respectively.

Awesome awesome video. You're a wealth of information

I have a Lloyds unit that has that changer. Everything worked great. I left the amp on by mistake and the next day all it did was hum quite loud...

I'm kicking myself wishing I would have found your video before disassembling my record player. I love to tinker and when my mom handed down her broken record player, I was excited to fix it. I could not find anything specific in terms of direction for my situation so I jumped in. Then, well.... let's just say I hit a snag. This one is very similar to mine. Luckily I have been able to reassemble many portions by what you have shown in this video. Unfortunately at 7:37 you touch on a portion that I'm struggling to attach correctly. Any suggestions or possibly another video of yours where you go in depth on that section? Shoot, even if you cant respond, you have been a tremendous help and I'm addicted to your channel. Fascinating content. Love it.

Hi Jordan, First I have to thank u about your amazing video,It helped me a lot. I still have problem with spindle adjustment, Plz describe the procedure in a video. thank u

Update: BSR A27 turntable. I discovered my platter is a steel 7" platter and not and 8" Very happy about that! The rubber mat will carefully separate from the steel platter towards the middle of the platter and carefully not bending the BSR aluminum center badge. Once I did this there was in fact an E-clip holding the platter in place. The rest is history. I was starting to get some wow in speed. Most noticeable on slower piano music. Anyway's, I serviced all under the platter as in this vid and now she sounds excellent! Glad I figured out how to get the platter off. Again mine was not stuck at all. P.S. I "did not remove" the original adhesive between the rubber mat and the steel platter. I simple pressed it it back on evenly and all is great! Again this was the 1970 Panasonic RD-7673,,,,,BSR A27 compact turntable. I very much hope this helped someone also. Love music!

Its a lot easier if you hold the soldering iron on the middle of the cam gear then you are just heating the middle not all the lot. I also used to put the soldering iron down the centre hole to heat up the middle so you could remove the turntable. My Weller iron fit it exactly.

great video, thank you very much. bye bye from italy :)

Thanks this video helped me a lot

Fantastic big help thank YOU

Very helpful, thanks!

Jordan, a tripod will allow you to place the cam/phone somewhere and work with 2 hands. Just sayin'. There are small desktop smartphone tripods available too.

Hi Jordan, what a fantastic video, thank you so very much for making it. I’ve followed it to a ‘t’ to service by BSR UA15. It has taken me a few goes. I am stuck - my jockey arm pivot is very wobbly and the platter makes a grinding/gritty noise. I’m sure it’s the jockey arm pivot which I can’t seem to keep from wobbling. And yes 😮 the little clip is in place even though it was quite tricky to put back on. I’d love your advice as I’m almost there and am busting to spin some vinyl (I have a spare 16 deck for spares) thanks again Dawn (in Australia)!

I have had good results flooding the stuck bits with 99% iso and it helps disolve old grease. Was hoping to get a guide on adjustment points. Record start, end and how to adjust the cue down speed

Greta video, thanks.

Spot on! I was able to clean the motor (which was frozen) and get my unit running thanks to your video! Question: I have a mysterious and very tiny spring left over that I think belongs to the tone arm. Do you have a video that details tone arms on these machines?

Thank you SO MUCH. I have a zenith allegro. You just helped me fix the record changing part! Now, i am having issues with the speed selecting...it stops/barely catches on 33 and 45. The 78 works fine. A few weeks ago when I was switching from 45 to 33, i felt it slip..like something came off or slipped for lack of a better word. The problem is that the allegro wedge - i can't get the screws off of the back to take it apart. Any suggestions? THANK YOU AGAIN.

An excellent video. Thank you so much for taking the time to create this. I'm having spindle issues, just like you had. How does one re-align a spindle?