Lesa Mady II portable record player

The Italian portable record player designed by G.Dee Goetzen and introduced in 1963,  with a radio version (Lesa III) arrived in the 1970s. Made from molded plastic in a few colour variations. 'Mangiadischi' is the Italian word to describe this type of player, I'm informed it means 'record eater' lol. Actually the build quality is quite a high standard, the plastic body is very thick, hard to break, and motor design is quite durable. Two speeds 33 rpm and 45 rpm, using a rubber jockey wheel and 2 size spindle direct drive. It uses 4 germanium transistors and one diode in the amplifier and a ceramic cartridge with a high independence output, C1 design. (slides horizontally into the head socket) Power is 6 x 1.5v torch batteries or a 9 volt DIN socket input on side.

The repair
Small tears of oil applied to pivot points, motor removed and spindle cleaned, dust/fluff removed from mechanism areas and cartridge removed and pins tightened. When a warped record is played the head-shell assembly is hinged to compensate, however over the years this causes stress to the cartridge molding and makes the signal pins come lose, (causing intermittent sound as the record warps.). A replacement one would be better fix, but quite rare and expensive to buy on-line (£28 or 30 Euros) So I wrapped tiny gauge bronze wire around the body to tighten back the 2 halves. The styli down pressure is obtained by a spring above the tone arm end, it can be adjusted by varying the length of the spring (long spring less force - short spring more force) red paint it applied to all points of potential vibration movement.

Motor and  2 size drive spindle

Jockey wheel & speed change lever

A foam damping strip needed replacing behind the loudspeaker (stop it rattling about). Take care with any stray oil, make sure you wipe it away with a tissue to stop it getting in wrong areas. The tone arm hinges on a chrome rod that needs lubricating too. Pushing the record in the outside slot moves the tone arm into the play position over a brush that wipes the styli clean of fluff. (see video) Most players of this period don't bother to fit damper rubbers to the motor housing, but this machine does, it reduced the background pick-up noise. A extra noise filter is applied in the form of a capacitor across the motor winding, again not all players have this, certainly not the UK ones anyway.

Top of motor (oil drop added in center hole)

Wide view of inside, audio panel is behind front controls