@clearthinker, not at all. Modern tape weights are not bad looking. In the States you can no longer get lead weights. They are all made of steel now except a product from 3M which comes as a flexible ribbon they sell in rolls. You cut the weights to size. There is a measuring ruler that tells you how much to cut, brilliant product. Cutting the steel weights is best done with a cutting wheel on a Dremel tool. They come in 1/4 OZ increments. One weight should do it fine. One inch of 3M's ribbon would be even better. @brian_stabinger , I balance my own wheels and have a roll of the 3M wheel weight ribbon. I can mail you an inch if you like. Just remove the backing, clean the counterweight off with alcohol and stick the tape on the periphery. You can order it online but I'm not sure what you are going to do with 300 feet of the stuff. You can look but I do not think anyone sells small amounts.
Cartridge Force - Is a Little 'Over-Force' Okay?
With kids getting older and not as 'grabby', I decided to dust off the Pro-Ject 1.2, and throw on a new cartridge (Sumiko Olympia), replacing the 25-year-old Oyster. After dialing-in the cartridge to its recommended 2.0 grams, I noticed the tonearm counterweight keeps the lid/dust cover from closing. With kids around, I'd really prefer to keep a lid on it. If I move the counterweight to a position where it doesn't interfere with the cover, it weighs-in at 2.7 grams.
My question is, does .7 grams, with this particular cartridge make a difference? Not just in sound quality (I couldn't hear the difference), but in the case of preserving the longevity of the vinyl.
Or is there a compatible counterweight that would add a few more grams of force? I was trying to justify a whole new rig, but this little guy still (seemingly) works just fine.
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- 27 posts total
IMHO a bit too high. If the recommendation is 2gm, you will be 35% over the max. I would personally be happier with 5-10%. I run mine at .1gm over recommended. Its a Sumiko Blackbird and it got rid of guitar distortion on one track on one album - "It Doesn't Matter" - Spyro Gyra 'Morning Dance' album. No issues on any other of my albums except this one guitar solo. But it worked and no side effects I can hear. Good luck. |
IMHO a bit too high. If the recommendation is 2gm, you will be 35% over the max. I would personally be happier with 5-10%. I run mine at .1gm over recommended. Its a Sumiko Blackbird and it got rid of guitar distortion on one track on one album - "It Doesn't Matter" - Spyro Gyra 'Morning Dance' album. No issues on any other of my albums except this one guitar solo. But it worked and no side effects I can hear. Good luck. |
Thanks for the direction @dover ! The is certainly the elegant way to go. Now just to wait for stock to return. In the meantime, the weight-tape-near-the-pivot seems logical enough. Perhaps a visit to the local golf/tennis shoppe is in-order. All that aside, yes, probably best to keep things within the spec, if at all possible. And I like the above better than cutting into acrylic. |
- 27 posts total