Mint Tractor

Stringreen,
I aligned my Benz LP with this excellent tractor this morning as directed. I find the results very satisfying already although I have some VTF adjusting to do. The cartridge had to come back about 2 mm to accomidate Yip's overhang and this has changed my VTF from 1.95 to about 1.87 causing a slight loss in bass weight. Hoping that increasing VTF slghtly won't throw off the overhang but so it goes.
My main question and minor problem is that the Scotch tape holding the tractor in place has left light marks on my super platter. Did you encounter this and if so did you get them off somehow. There's no adhesive residue and distilled water has failed to remove them. Maybe in time they'll fade.
The LP contiues to impress by the way. It's a fine cartridge.

Sonofjim,

I see the same thing from the tape on my Galibier platter as well. Not hard to do with a graphite surface. As you said, there doesn't appear to be any adhesive but there still may be. I'm going to try a little Goo Gone just to see.

Gents,

I've abandoned the tape-down approach altogether. Between the weight of the plate glass protractor and the platter on the Galibier, it simply doesn't move. I used to tape the platter to the 'plinth' using blue painter's tape, but now I find even this to be unnecessary. I do however go back and reconfirm overhang when I've completed alignment.

-Richard

OOOPS...I didn't use Scotch Tape. I used a thick tape that I use when repairing violins...I knew it wouldn't leave a residue...sorry. I would call or write to VPI and ask them what they recommend. Stan

What Palasr said ^^^

I haven't bothered taping the platter or a protractor in several years. If you work carefully and delicately then nothing will move. If you don't work carefully and delicately, you shouldn't be aligning a phono cartrdidge! :-)