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replacing tonearm question?

Hey,
I have a VPI HW-19 MK4 which I love dearly. My existing Sumiko FT-3 tonearm is 20 years old and on its last legs and I want to replace it with a Jelco 750 or 850. Both arms are 9". Would I have to have a new armboard made and drill new holes? Or could I use the existing armboard and hole and just drill new screws? I know I'd havr to factor in the tonearm radius and all the millimeter differences.

I've never done this before so please excuse my ignorance on this.
128x128simao
simao's avatar
simao OP
1,836 posts
 
Thank you, mijostyn. My existing armboard is acrylic and there's a discussion either here or on the Hoffman forums with links to a shop that could make me a new board. Would you recommend acrylic or wood?
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,210 posts
 
The pivot to spindle distance of Sumiko FT-3 is 221.7mm, and the Jelco 750 and 850 is 240mm. I think a new armboard is required unless you use a tonearm with same geometry (e.g. clearaudio) than you can use the existing armboard with some work.

https://www.vinylengine.com/tonearm_database.php

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,898 posts
 
If you are going the Jelco route, get the 850. It is far better for not much more money.
simao's avatar
simao OP
1,836 posts
 
@imhififan Thanks for that! That's exactly what I needed to know. And @noromance, thank you as well.
hdm
1,062 posts
 
I would plan on buying a new armboard as well if you are going this route. 

The FT3's mounting distance and bolt pattern are both different from the 9 inch Jelcos, which use a Linn mount and have a 214 pivot to spindle (as opposed to the 221 for the FT3).

I've owned and used both arms, as well as a Jelco SA-250, which shares geometry with the 9 inch 750D and newer 9" Jelcos. 
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