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Grado Labratory Wood Tonearm? 3 questions: Keep it? Sell It? Burn it?

Hello all,

I recently bought a great Thorens TD 124 off CL and attached to it was The Awesome looking Grado Laboratory Series Wood Tonearm (the one with all the extra adjustments)...I know there have been a few discussions here regarding this arm but those threads seem to quickly shift to what ever tonearm is someone's favorite...For this discussion I would like to know specifically what your opinion/experiences are regarding this arm and if you think it is worthy of its companion?  I already have an SME 3009 series II unimproved waiting in the wings but I digress, so the 124 I have is still in resto so a listening test is not available.  That being said the Grado was completely disassembled cleaned/lubed and wired from the board out to Cardas RCAs (not from the shell to the board) it is as good as this arm can get, It truly is a work of art!  It looks very cool...  But does it have any relevance in todays sonics?  

Ag insider logo xs@2xrikintpa
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,097 posts
 
Dear @rikintpa: My experiences with Grado tonearm is this model, I owned for some years and it's a good tonearm. I don't know nothing about that wood model you are mentioned:

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/grado/signature-laboratory-standard.shtml

I agree with the @lewm advise, just follow it.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
I have one lying around. But I'd rather use my FR-29 and FR-54 with my collection of low-compliance mc cartridges! Removable headshells are a big advantage for changing cartridges!
dishman442
38 posts
 
My completely inappropriate advice, something you should NOT follow, is to consider the fact that straws are going to disappear.  Perhaps it could be used as a straw replacement?  Maybe remove all that expensive new wiring first...   

Seriously though, I doubt you will find someone with significant experience with both arms. Pain in the butt to mount them both, but your ears are the only thing that count. 
bimasta's avatar
bimasta
227 posts
 
One thing for sure, it won't be overly susceptible to spurious resonances. While there are many features on modern tonearms, maybe its utter simplicity is a virtue, and the fact you're tracking at the same 1.5g as any other arm is what counts. I'd definitely try it, just from curiosity.
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