| Welcome To Russco Turntables.Com! |
| UPDATED 4/9/2013: IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING CONTACTING US BY EMAIL |
UPDATED: 4/9/2013 2145 UTC
SPAM! SPAM! SPAM!
Due to the overwhelming amout of spam invading our email inbox, I am forced to remove the actual email links from this website. The spam-bots have apparently gotten our address, and I spend WAY too much time filtering through messages in Russian and offers from Canadian phamacies! So, to try to cut down on this, I will be replacing the actual link with this text: parts (at) rusccoturntables (dot com). I trust that most people who are savvy enough to navigate this (or just about any other) website, can figure out how to make the email address work. If not, feel free to call the number listed below, during the business hours outlined in the footer on each page of this site. Thank you for your understanding!--Skeeter Nash, Owner
MOVE COMPLETE! Thank you for your patience while RusscoTurntables.com made a physical relocation from Jonesboro, Arkansas to El Campo in southern Texas! While our shop is not yet completely set up, we will now be able to handle most orders as before. As we continue to "set up shop," please be patient when it comes to replying to emails and phone calls. Owner Skeeter Nash is still working full-time as an on-air personality, and handles this website in his spare time. We will strive to provide the best service we can, in as prompt a manner as possible. Thank you again!
PLEASE ALSO NOTE: our TELEPHONE NUMBER has changed. As of July 12, 2012, it is now (979) 332-3532.
OUR NEW ADDRESS IS:
RusscoTurntables.com
605 Avenue E
El Campo, TX 77437
Skeeter Nash--Owner
|
| Russell C. Friend 1920--2011 |
|
Russell C. Friend, founder of Russco Electronics, passed away on December 7, 2011 at the age of 91. An innovative engineer and businessman, Russ will be best remembered for the products produced by his company in Clovis, California from the late-1950's until he sold the company in the early-1990's. The number of hit records that were first played on Russco turntables is immeasurable. The amazing simplicity of design, combined with bullet-proof ruggedness, has allowed many of these machines to continue to run some 50 years after their manufacture. The Russco product line expanded to include nearly every item needed in a broadcast studio: turntables, phono pre-amps, tonearms, mixing consoles, and many other tools of the broadcast and audio production trade.
In the last years of his life, Russ was an invaluable source of information and inspiration to me, and I will cherish the many telephone conversations we had. I will do my very best to carry on his name and legacy with this website and the products and information presented here.
Thank you, Russ...rest in peace.
Skeeter Nash
Owner, RusscoTurntables.com
|
UPDATE 4/9/2013 2145 UTC
Thanks for your interest in the world of vintage broadcast idler drive turntables! And for those with whom we have done business, we appreciate your support! If you haven't done so already, we invite you to follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Scroll down the page for the links!
THE LATEST NEWS...
RUSSCO TURNTABLES.COM WRITTEN UP IN eNEWS FROM TELOS/OMNIA/AXIA NEWSLETTER
In the September 2011 issue of eNews From Telos/Omnia/Axia, the Cleveland, Ohio-based broadcasting equipment company gave its email newsletter recipients a nice article on Russco Electronics, and this website. We recieved permission to reprint the text of the article to share with you here. Special thanks to Telos Systems - Axia Audio Marketing Manager Clark Novak. Here is what they wrote:
Discrepancy Sheet
Turntables built to withstand the Apocalypse
 Nearly all of us "of a certain age" in the Radio business will remember Russco turntables, founded by Modesto, California's Russ Friend in 1945. Built like the proverbial tank, Russcos, with their stepped-shaft / idler wheel drive arrangement, were standard issue in US radio stations for 40 years. The ubiquitous sky-blue Studio Pro B, with only a little maintenance, soldiered on for years providing rock-solid record playback for innumerable stations small to large. (And, as a young production director, your editor found that the heavy machined aluminum platter, removed from its housing, could be held by its bearing shaft and struck along the rim to produce a lovely "fight bell" sound effect.) If you're still a fan of Russco turntables - which are surprisingly popular in the audiophile community - and are looking for parts, restoration services, check out RusscoTurntables.com, run by Skeeter Nash. Skeeter has a love for these workhorses too; so much that he purchased the remaining stock and parts supply of Russco and now offers parts and refurb services from his HQ in Jonesboro, Arkansas. And don't forget to put it in neutral when you're finished!
**********
OUR LATEST REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS:
A nice Russco Cue-Master (thanks to Glen Pitts of Stockton, CA). CLICK HERE to see it!
**********
A HUGE QRK/Collins 17-B (with a 17-inch platter!) from the late-50's/early-60's. This table was in use for years at the Stanford University radio station, and Brett Saunders of San Francisco obtained it. Brett sent it to us, and we brought this relic back to life! CLICK HERE to see it!
**********
ATTN: CHIEF ENGINEERS...clean out your equipment storage rooms, transmitter buildings and other cluttered areas, and contact us at parts@RusscoTurntables.com to take some of that old equipment (especially turntables!) off your hands! Please pass this along to others who might be interested in selling/horse-trading retired broadcasting studio equipment. Thanks!
**********
The Beatles' 2009 Remastered Albums Released on 180-gram Vinyl!
Original British Parlophone stereo titles (plus Capitol Records' Magical Mystery Tour album) available individually or in deluxe box set! CLICK HERE for the details.
|
Whenever we have a new and exciting product available, we'll feature it here on the Home page! Come back often to see what's new!
|
|
REPLACE THOSE BURNED-OUT SPEED INDICATOR LAMPS!
NEW ITEM! Now you can replace those burned-out speed indicator lamps on your Russco Studio-Pro Model B with these bright Weathers 110 VAC replacement lamps! These are NOS, and we have customized them with large '33' and '45' numbers. While they are not the 'engraved,' silk-screened numbers (like the originals had--and there aren't any of those available anymore, to our knowledge), they look virtually the same...and they look a LOT better than burned-out or blank replacements!
Only $6.95 each, or buy a set of 2 for just $13.00 [plus shipping]. Limited quantities available, so don't wait! Write us NOW at parts (at) russcoturntables (dot com) to order!
|
|
NEW ITEM--Original Bodine Electric Motor Lubricating Oil!
This high-quality lubricating oil keeps your motor running smoothly with just a couple of drops every 2-3 months! This is NOS, kept in sealed cans in a warehouse for many years. Supplies are limited. A 4-oz. bottle is just $4.95 (plus s/h), and will last a LONG time! Order a bottle today at parts (at) russcoturntables (dot com)!
|
|
UPDATE 1/21/2010 1900 hrs. (Z)
Aside from being your online resource for parts, one of our main goals is to add information on an on-going basis gathered from "like-minded" distributors, individuals and manufacturers. This small but expanding database is really due to the generosity of giving by friends, associates and the many folks whom we have never met but would like to thank! Their wish is to help all who need or require information concerning idler-drive turntables and companion equipment within the analog/vinyl/digital community.
RTC is a small "custom" supplier/builder paying attention to detail where it concerns idler-drive types, and parts required. RTC strives to constantly expand our information and knowledge base. Our primary endeavor: sales of new and "used" parts, sharing information concerning these parts, drawings and re-builds on the many models of idler-drive turntables, including built and branded under such names as Collins, Harris/Gates, LPB, Micro-Trak, Presto, QRK, RCA, Rek-O-Kut, Russco, Sparta, Spotmaster, Weathers and others.
Our Mission: Russco Turntables.com is rooted firmly in the use of traditional broadcast turntables and associated equipment, while at the same time helping to provide free information to both builders and collectors.
|
Now Under New Management/Ownership 07/31/2009
Russcoturntables.com (and co-owned QRKturntables.com) new owner Skeeter Nash will be expanding RTC, adding new product lines, all guaranteed first-rate quality! Skeeter is carrying on our tradition of individual, one-on-one service while bringing a fresh approach to the way RTC does business. RTC is now fully under Skeeter's competent guidance as of 07/31/2009.
Skeeter's experiences includes a stint with QRK in Fresno, CA, assembing the mighty QRK 12C model. While working full-time at QRK, he began working part-time on the air at radio stations in and around Fresno, often using Russco, QRK and other professional turntables to play the hits of the day for listeners up and down the San Joaquin Valley. He knows how simply--yet ruggedly--these classic units were designed and built. Although many stations began to use tape cartridges ("carts") to play their music, some still played vinyl records...requiring their turntables to be in use literally 24/7!
Skeeter is still working on the air full-time, hosting the Morning Drive show Monday-Friday from 6:00-10:00am at KIXS-FM ("KIXS 108") in Victoria, TX. Previously, he was at Saga/Jonesboro Radio Group of stations in Jonesboro, AR. He has also worked at WSM-AM/Nashville, TN; WSIX-FM/Nashville; KKBB-FM/Bakersfield, CA; KTIE-FM/Bakersfield, CA; KJUG-FM/Tulare, CA; KBOS-FM & KKAM-AM/Fresno, CA; KFRE-AM & FM/Fresno, CA; KMAK-AM/Fresno, CA and KNGS-AM/Hanford, CA.
Skeeter is also a licensed Amateur Radio operator (General Class), call sign: N5ASH.
|
|
