General Electric "Trimline" stereo model RP-2040A

[hermitcrab]

I see this also has the tall spindle on the changer...but you have overhead clearance to place a 45 adapter on ... my GE not so much , I read on another forum that GE had a collapsible 45 where the bottom would nest in itself making it shorter ?... not sure how true that is ... I have never seen one

[electra225]

I have one model of the Trimline players that uses a short spindle. IT has that goofy "Tonal 1" tone arm. The others use the tall spindle. The model 1235 VM in this player has cheaper trim and a 9"platter. The only difference I see on units with short or tall spindles is that an aluminum trim piece is bent once for a tall spindle, twice for the short spindle.

[electra225]

I was having trouble removing the screw from the end of the flip cartridge in this little stereo. The slot in the screw was too thin to get a screwdriver to grip. I used a single-edged razor blade to trim the plastic around the end of the screw so I could get more drastic equipment in to remove that pesky little tiny screw. This exercise tried my patience, but I finally removed the screw. Replacing the cartridge with the new Electro-Voice model 143 was fairly straightforward. I removed the platter so I could see how the individual channels were wired. I don't know what the easy way is to push forward on the spring on the end of the cartridge while starting that tiny little screw in the shaft. I didn't find the easy way. I found the way that exercised my vocabulary, but I got it.

I'm amazed at how good it sounds. Plenty of volume and reasonable fidelity for a one-tube wonder stereo. I initially had the tone arm pressure set at 3.8 grams, but it wouldn't play at all that light, just slid across the record. I set it to 5 grams, a little better, but still way too light. I have it set at 8.6 grams now, sounds really good. It seems like the needle wants to skip really easily. Is it possible I have a bad needle? This cartridge takes the same needles as my little Truetone kiddie player. The kind where you loosen a screw, then slide the needle under the screw and tighten it. I'm assuming it's a sapphire needle that I don't care for in any case. The drive tire is really hard in the changer, I have to help it when the changer cycles. There is a bit of hum, I'll have to admit that. Is it enough to offend me? No. It's a cheap little stereo that I rescued from the junk pile. I didn't and still don't expect perfection. It will be fun to play with. I'll get a different drive tire then pronounce it healed.