Azimuth "recording"


I recently purchased a Technics 1210 GAE, and I am loving the detachable headshell.  I have 3 cartridges in rotation 2 MC and one Mono.  I wonder if anyone has any tips on how to "record" azimuth for quick resetting.  I dutifully have recorded VTF, VTA, bias etc. for each cartridge for fast switching - but I am hoping to not have to pull out the test record and fozgometer with each switch  to set AZ when I have other listeners such as my wife present. Usually only happens when I switch from MC to mono and back.

The azimuth for all but one of the cartridges (my mono) is fairly off when fastened to the arm in what I would consider the  "straight" position.  Once the azimuth is properly set the audio difference is very noticeable.  I have though of snapping a photo of the cartridge head on with one of those plastic AZ tools to rough it in for quick switching so I can at least eyeball the angle. Any tips?

Cheers


slashsmil
I absolutely side wide lewm and elliot on this. The most important issues are tracking and record wear. If the cartridge is constructed correctly this will match up perfectly with cross talk results. The mirror trick Elliot mentioned is a great way to make any deviation from vertical obvious. The SmarTractor adds to this by adding a magnifying system which really makes setting azimuth child play. As for being able to quickly repeat the settings, what I think you will need to do is make a protractor for each cartridge. I would use 1/4" plywood. As an example for simplicities sake lets consider a Koetsu which has a perfectly square front. You would set it's azimuth by mirror then take a piece of plywood 3" long and as wide as the Koetsu is high sitting on a record say 3/4". Then you would trim the 3/4" edge to match the angle the front side of the Koetsu makes with the record which ideally should be 90 degrees. You would have to use the protractor gauge you have made with the stylus sitting in the run out groove so your protractor does run over the elevated lip of the record which would change the angle. You would make a label a protractor gauge for each cartridge using what ever surface or angle of the cartridge you can reliably replicate. You could make a protractor for the upper surface of the head shell which is usually flat. 
Gosh. I guess I am not anal enough for this hobby. MC, in my defense, the OP did say something about using the Fozgometer, etc, which indicates he is aiming for electrical perfection, minimizing crosstalk. So I was just describing my own current state of mind, which is that the downside of setting the stylus tip at any angle to the groove walls (for a stereo cartridge), aberrant contact with the groove AND aberrant stylus tip wear, for me is more obnoxious than setting the stylus square in the groove and trusting that the manufacturer did not screw up the positioning of the coils too badly. Yes, the crosstalk data in db may not end up optimal, but the distortions and premature stylus wear associated with the alternative approach are worse. I hasten to add "in my opinion". Plus, speaking to the OP’s actual question, adopting the endpoint of stylus seating in the groove simplifies setting azimuth; in most cases 90 degrees works fine. I probably should have added that point.
@lewm , sure you are:-) But, you have to ignore millercarbon. He always says the same things which means he has nothing to say. 
The OP wants a quick way to set azimuth without marking up his beautiful tonearm. All he has to do is make a few wooden gauges and he is good to go.
The funny thing is that a few years ago I might have said, and did say, that I would not even use a tonearm that did not provide for azimuth adjustment.  Now I am not so sure, because it is as easy to get it wrong by a tiny amouint using the added luxury of an adjuster, as it is to get it right by the same adjuster.