Merit portable phonograph w/ GE VR magnetic cartridge
 

When I saw this record player and how dirty it was, my first thought was to use it for parts. It's been sitting in the basement for a month and, tonight, I pulled it out for a closer look. It uses a Collaro-built record changer; and, much to my surprise, a General Electric variable reluctance magnetic cartridge. The amp is a 3-tube (12AX7, 50C5, 35W4) hot chassis design with seperate bass and treble controls, driving an 8" woofer and a smaller tweeter. I can't find a model number. The only thing I can find is the brand name of "Merit" and the tubes are Tele-Tone branded. Now, I've decided that this needs to be restored. Here's a video I made of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc0pzzgheFI

http://i538.photobucket.com/albums/f...t/merit004.jpg

Seems like a pretty high end unit to have a Collaro changer, Magnetic Cartridge and Bass & Treble controls, the plain jane cabinet would seem a contradiction but there was a time when people chose substance over style.

The Tone arm should have an spring to adjust the tracking weight, you loosen a locking screw and then turn another screw to shorten or lengthen the spring.

Those Collaros with the removable head shell tend to track really heavy in any case.