General Electric Wildcat record player repair

This player was bought in decent shape. It didn't take much to put it back in order.

[@bk6678]

I really liked this video. Reminds me of your early videos on assembling a component stereo system. Would like to see that system working once again. Thanks.

[@joernone]

I'll try to sandwich a quick segment of that in a future video. Regards, John.

[@ka9szx]

I think those are from the 70's. I got one around 1971, a light tan unit. I used it for several years but the turntable was a little fast in playing back everything. It's sound lacked any kind of base response, I pulled the speakers off and added speaker wire and put the speakers under my bed. Sounded a whole lot better. I ended up selling it in 1975 when I bought a Panasonic Stereo with turntable and cassette deck. I still have that unit and use it daily. Mark G

[@joernone]

Mark, 50-years ago it lacked base response? Of course it did. It was a cheap $60.00 record player aimed at the 45rpm rock and roll boomer teenage customers. It worked pretty well. Regards, John

[@Musicradio77Network]

I have the same record player, and mine is black with a later record changer, and mine is from early 1975, and it was one of the last of the GE Wildcat record players.

[@richardbrobeck2384]

Nice Job Joe I bought a bunch of those motor grommets from Jim too great guy !

[@servicetechnician3264]

Hello John. Nice fix up. I think my older sister had one of those. George B

[@joernone]

George H, They sold thousands of these critters, found under almost every Christmas tree. Teenagers loved them for their simplicity and parents for the cheap price. They were well built, proven by how many have survived in still-playable condition. Regards, John

[@rciancia]

Well done John !!! Do you still have the Seeberg Juke ? How is she doing ?

[@joernone]

Ron, I still have the juke, but haven't messed with it for a while. It redeveloped a couple of issues. One of the stupid florescent lights intermittently works. I've tried everything to fix it, but it's remaining stubborn. It's a baffler. The other issue is the carriage again doesn't want to stop where it should, but I'm pretty sure what's causing that problem. Oh well...as time permits and all that, my friend. Btw...James has rerturned from Guam. Tanya picked him up at the airport last night. Regards, John

[@DrOlds100]

You're a good Grandfather setting up that player for your granddaughter John. I think you should consider replacing the stylus on that cartridge as well. They recommend that you change it about every 300 hours of playback and being that it's used you've no idea how worn it is. There are many sellers on eBay that specialize in needles (stylus) and cartridges. Your records will thank you and Taylor Swift will thank you!🤣

[@joernone]

Art, Oh ye of little faith, my friend. A new needle was already ordered from VOM. It's been shipped and will arrive next week. Regards, John

[@DrOlds100]

@@joernone VOM is a great site, I got my idler for my RCA 7-HF-45 rebuilt by them, And also those same rubber motor mounts like the ones you used in this video. I should have known better than to think you didn't know to replace the needle, sheesh!

[@samiam5557]

Play a "Chipmunks" 33.3rpm LP at 16rpm, and you'll hear they're actual voices.

[@joernone]

Sam, I'll someday give that a try, my friend. Regards, John

[@tjtreinen7381]

my older sisters had one. I used it several times. but I found the rumble just a bit high...

[@joernone]

LOL It's 50-60 year old electronics, with boomer teenagers being the target customers. It's supposed to have high rumble. Regards, John

[@umajunkcollector]

edie had the older tube version

[@umajunkcollector]

me like SUMMER PLACE