Installation Instructions??


Regarding the installation of the cartridge in a tonearm. Is there a suggestion how to get the tonearm wires on to the pins of the cartrige? Last time I tried, my hand slipped because of a tight fit of the pins, and I broke off the conector on the Valhalla wire of the VPI arm. VPI sent me a new arm much to their credit, but I would not like to do that again. Do you install the wires, and then affix the cartridge into the headshell?? Do you use a special tool,etc. etc.
128x128stringreen
Another vote for tweezers. I usually mount the cart on the arm LOOSELY, then attach the clips, then tighten the cart screws, checking the cart alignment with your protractor of choice. before the final tightening. All. Very. Carefully.

A handy hint. Roll up some Mortite (plumber's putting) or a Blu-Tack equivalent so you have a thin cylinder -- something you can twirl between thumb and forefinger -- that's about an inch long and use it to hold the nut and/or tighten the screw before you use a screwdriver for the final tightening. Good luck, Dave
Use a hemostat (electronic/medical/fishing supply places) and clamp onto the wire crimp using the first setting(click). Sometimes it is hard to hold onto the connector and push at the same time,
Thanks all... I feel like I'm sitting on death row awaiting the final outcome. We'll see..
Stringreen, we must have scared you to death. It's basically a piece of cake, assuming we've imbued you sufficiently with the need to go slowly and carefully. Hell, I can do it in my sleep and I'm 78. Dave
Have a couple of gin and tonics before you start on this task. It will increase the likelihood of a disaster but drastically reduce the chances that you will care a lot.

BTW, I have done it several times with nude cartridges (Benz, etc) and never had a problem if following the technique that I and Dopogue apparently both favor. Hemostat is good idea, too. But your wife is much more likely to have tweezers than a hemostat. (Mine is a doctor and so has both.)