this is my very first record player. it didn't come with a manual and i'm having a hard time making it play. when i move the arm to the record, it stays down for a second and then goes back to the arm rest. what am i doing wrong?
First lock the arm, remove the headpiece and carefully place the TT upsidedown in your lap resting on your legs. Treat it like a baby. Make sure the arm is not under undue pressure. Remove the cover underneath and study the mechanism, carefully moving the arm through its play cycle. Something is causing it to go into the return cycle to early. There is usually a trip lever attached to the moving tone arm that catches a “dog” on the platter. This then initiates the return cycle. I have looked at a lot of TTs and often a little machine oil may solve the problem. But first give it a good hard look. Try to figure out what is tripping the “dog” early.