Restoring a Transrotor Skeleton...help

I have a Transcriptors Skeleton that I have owned for 39 years now. What a beauty. I recently tried to revive it after getting a new belt for it and lo and behold it still works. It's just been sitting idle on display all these years. It could use a tune-up though. The wiring in the tonearm up to cartridge shows age but I'm thrilled that it still works. I plan on having a local expert give it some tlc in hopes that it can be restored to tip top shape

Try to get in contact with Mr. Raeke from Transrotor/Germany. I think they refurbish those.

Phil, I sent you an email; perhaps it didn't make it through your junk mail filter. Repeated below...

Thanks! I found the Skeleton with the tonearm and (presumably) all the essential parts in a bag inside. I've downloaded the manual off of vinylengine, and though the manual refers to the tonearm coming in a separate package, requiring installation, the instructions to do so seem sketchy. Moreover, the instructions (such as they are) refer to the use of an included template to align the vestigal/cartridge mounting, but no such template was included with the unit. Is there an alternative template available, e.g., downloaded from vinylengine, that would suffice? Is there a specific type/brand of oil I should use on the spindle bearing (I know NOT to use 3-in-1 oil)? Overall, are there any "gotcha's" that I should know about prior to proceeding? Anything you can tell me now would be appreciated, and I promise not to bother you unless I absolutely get stuck. FYI, I have contacted Michael Gammon at Transcriptors twice with a few specific questions, getting responses like, 'We're here,' or 'Send me the unit,' rather than answering the questions. Thank you very much!

I sold Transcriptor TTs when they were originally imported. Send me a message via Agon or post here with your questions.

Phil

I believe the founder of Transrotor worked for an designed some of the Transcriptor tables, then had a falling out and started his own company.

I have just gotten hold of a Transcriptors Skeleton turntable, and the tonearm and the various pieces associated with it are in a Zip-Loc® bag inside. I have contacted Transcriptors (Michael Gammon) for information but only get cryptic, untimely responses. Can someone lead me to some restoration info, either established or from personal experience, on putting this thing back together? I have downloaded the manual (such as it is) already. Thanks.

Thanks for the responses, again I apologize for the mistake I made in the correct name. I've got custom tapered, etched glass with a blue tint in it installed all the way around. It's striking to look at by itself. Now I have ventured to below the tone arm mount to see exactly what's going on there. Seems the wires to the arm are disconnected and the pins removed for some reason. It may need a complete rewire. The arm looks very good though, and moves quietly and freely, up, down and horizontily to the center towards the spindle. The record supports are in fine shape too but the rubber ends look worn or just old, the alien looking platter spins freely with the power off and continues to spin as I write this with no signs of slowing down eluding to a bearing in healthy condition...I hope. The control board and controls all look to be in very good shape, there might be a diamond in the rough here, if not a nice CZ. I may opt to remove it from the glass housing and instead mount it to a thick acrylic base. I've got a few arms laying around I'm not using that might be a better match for it, (SME Series 3S, Grace 707, Audio Technica), give me some input guys, thanks.

Actually, Lewm, The Transcriptors Skeleton was a specific model, released with that name by the founder, David Gammon. I sold a few dozen in the 1970s and owned two myself. The original collateral published for sales support also included the Skeleton name.

The Hydraulic Reference did predate the Skeleton, and included the iconic Transcriptors platter seen later in the Skeleton with either gold or chrome peripheral weights/disc supports. The now-rare Transcriber packaged a linear-tracking variation (the turntable moved under a fixed tonearm) into the Skeleton's glass & aluminum aesthetic. And then there was the Round....

Phil

Funny. I did not bat an eyelash at the notion that TransROTOR had once made a turntable called the Skeleton. It sounds right for them. On the other hand, the Transcriptors turntable was originally just called "the Transcriptors turntable" or maybe the "Reference", back in ancient days when I owned one. I think whoever took over its manufacture in more recent years named it the "Skeleton". So your error did not faze me in the slightest.

Thanks, it's always very late when I get online to post on the Gon so I'm prone to make mistakes.