Webcor model 123 Jubilee from 1953

Hi Folks I am new to the hobby.Hope to learn and enjoy all I can from it,and maybe help others along the way if I can.Well I bought an old webcor model 123 phono at a flea market and love it! I took it home looked it over inside and out to make sure nothing was out of place(broken wires and such) and plugged it in.The turntable spun and the sound was very low.So I checked the needle tapped the cartridge a few times and more sound came out.Also the volume was scratchy so I kept working it till it got better (some).I figured it needed cleaning inside so I sprayed some electric cleaner I use from work in it made sure after turning it back and forth and that it was finally dry and when I turned it on volume was fixed! Also I ordered a new cartridge for it and photo-fact. It still has a hum in it though I have done some research and it seems it may be a tube gone bad (it has but 3)and one seems to be blackened on one side(bad perhaps?)I think I will replace perhaps all 3 as they are not expensive with nos, and see if this fixes the hum .Does this seem like a good way to start ? Ty Doug

Before you start replacing tubes, replace the electrolytic and paper capacitors. They almost always change value over the years, so it's a good practice to replace them right out of the shoot. Most of the time replacing the caps will cure the hum problem. It's normal for some tubes to have black spots in them so yours may be fine. If the tubes aren't too expensive it's not a bad idea to have some replacements on hand for the just in cases. While you're working on it, go ahead & clean off as much of the old grease from the mechanical parts as you can and then relubricate them. The old grease tends to gum up & cause everything to slow down. I use clear sewing machine grease on mine, it's cheap & you can find it at any craft store. Good luck on your restoration. Keep us posted on your progress, and don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to. There are a lot of very knowledgable folks here that are always glad help out.
-Dave

Ok thanks. Ill look into the capacitors and start the cleaning process this weekend,Will try to post some pics soon too thanks! Doug

I know that you said you ordered a photo-fact, but you can find a decent looking free schematic for your phono on this site. http://www.webster-chicago.com/123sch.jpg

Wow thank you looks great now I need to read and understand what it says.Doug

Replace that 12AT6 with a 12AV6 and you'll get a nice boost in gain.

found this video on youtube of a model thats almost the same as mine
type in 1952 WEBCOR MODEL # 123 F RECORD PLAYER .. SOME SWEET DAY .. LOUIS ARMSTRONG

or try this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhHKvJi-nyM&feature=channel_video_title

Bought a new spindle works great! New 45 adaptor is on the way.Bought all new caps and resistors with some help decipering the language of this new hobby by Bill Cahill thanks Bill! Also the 3 tubes it has will be shipped soon, one is on backorder. The nos cartridge came, looks good, will put it on last so it doesnt get messed up when restoring the insides.I want this to be as new as I can make it while also eliminating that hum.The outside cleaned up well and with a coat of turtle wax really sparkles now! The grill cloth is clean and looks like new.
So I'm getting there one step at a time.Thank you all Doug

Eight capacitors and eight resistors later..The hum is gone!!!! I kinda miss it.Well maybe not.So now with a new cartridge it sounds great.Three tubes are on backorder so this machine will be as new once more.The Platters never sounded so good!

Hey congratulations, that's a good looking unit. That's the one on your avatar, right? Hey, I've seen some listings on Ebay where you can buy several of this kind of tube for a few bucks. I'm thinking about stocking up.

Do you have a tube tester? Not all tubes go bad. A good mutual conductance tube tester, such as heathkit, hickock, or, Eico wil help.
They are not a guarantee the tubes are good, but, they do help.
Bill Cahill

No tube tester as of yet its on my list of things to get.

before and after Everything sets in a metal box (cover is off) and the large capacitors sit in a clip to keep them from moving around.Eight capacitors and eight resistors in all.

Great job Doug! I'd love to see a few more photos. BTW, now that you've got your first one done... you are aware that restoring old radios is an addiction, right? Like the rest of us, you'll now be looking through every yard sale, thrift store & antique mall for your next fix. It's like crack, or Lay's potato chips... you can't have just one.