Goldring 1042 Anti Skate Too High on Dead Wax

nehhogan, push the VTF up to 2.0 gm and see how it goes. That is the max allowable VTF for that cartridge.

Mijo, On the Wally site it suggests not to use the anti-skate bands on certain test LPs. I don’t know whether that would include the one you recommend.
I am also gratified to read the following paragraph on the Wally site:"IMPORTANT: Using a blank record or the groove-less area of the inner run-out on a record to adjust anti-skating so that the tonearm remains stationary is not a recommended method to adjust anti-skating as it results in about 50% too much anti-skating force applied."
This is an advisory I have given to many,including the OP. Take note, OP.  Also, the point made by the Wally site, that there is no single perfect setting for AS, is why I suggest setting by ear, starting with no or very low AS.  At that point you might hear R channel distortion.  Then adjust the amount of AS upwards in very small increments until the distortion goes away, and no further.  One cause for your finding might be something dragging on the pivot, causing it to behave as if it has high friction which resists the skating force per se.  Check tonearm bearings.

I wonder if it's the bearing. It's a unipivot and have no frame of reference as never had one before. It is a wobbly thing. Goes a mm forward and back and rotates maybe a degree or so. Seems to sit fine when playing though and sounds good.

Thanks lewm. I read that passage as a plus for a blank record. It is only 50% too high if it stands still. It is best to let it still move in slowly. Enough for the run out to just to say catch it before the loop groove. That is what soundsmith recommends.
They seem to say a test record is worse.
Funny what different people take from things depending on what they are looking for, 'A FAR WORSE method is the use of "anti-skating bias tracks" found on some test records'.