The Secret Society of Lathe Trolls

kremesickill · Joined: 29 Nov 2007 Posts: 9 Location: ATL (zone 6)

Hey guys, I'm new to all of this. I just got a Presto k-10 record cutter. I've never used a record cutter before.. hell, when I got this one in the mail it was the first time I'd actually ever seen one in person.

Anyway, I can't seem to get any input thru the radio input. I tried to plug an ipod directly into it and record off of that..but i get no response whatsoever. If I touch the microphone connection I can hear some sort of feedback going on inside the cutter head.. But even that, once I try to play back what i've cut, doesn't seem to come thru on the cut.

Should I have some sort of amp in between the ipod and the radio input, or is this just the input being dead on my cutter?

also, does the fact that the feedback doesn't show up on my final cut mean I need a new cutter head all together? What kind of cutterhead should i get for a k-10, are they all interchangable?

Thanks for any help you guys can give me!

Amp Doc · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 109 Location: UK

Gib at Westech services can repair your head but make sure all tubes are ok. cuttercollecter seems to know a lot about these and if you read through tis site he has helped a lot of people.
_________________
!Work or Bang Time!

Jesus H Chrysler · Joined: 26 Nov 2006 Posts: 36 Location: Charleston, SC

have you tried turning the volume knob to the phono side? (the left side of the dial). the record side is only for recording from the mic input. I had the same problem the first time I tried mine. with a line level signal, you shouldn't have to turn it much past 4 on the scale.

kremesickill · Joined: 29 Nov 2007 Posts: 9 Location: ATL (zone 6)

prestok10 · Joined: 26 Aug 2006 Posts: 8 Location: West Michigan

I also have a K-10 and I use my iPod for input thru the "Radio" jack with a 1/4 inch to mini adapter. Some folks think that inputting a signal from an iPod to record a 78 RPM record is pretty funny, but it works!

If you want your cutter head rebuilt, I can recommend Pro Recording Service at (216) 662-1435. Bruce did a great job on my 5-C head, and he had some great advice as for me as well.

Did your K-10 come with a full set of gears? There should be 4 - two each of standard groove and two each of microgroove. (One for moving the recording arm from the outside of the record toward the center, and the other moves the arm in the opposite direction). Usually stored underneath the turntable platter on little metal pegs. Mine seems to be missing at least one of these - the standard groove outside-in gear. I keep looking for someone with these gears for sale - so far, no luck. I tried to have a friend machine one for me, but it only sort-of works. The grooves still seem too close together.

Anyhow, good luck!