Technics SL1200: standard overhang gauge or MintLP

There is a cheaper version from Turntable Basics that uses the same mirror type setup.

Read about parallax error. Then read about how the MintLp is made. The TT Basics protractor is certainly cheaper, but it is NOT "the same mirror type setup". And it is much more accurate.

Just a very happy customer here.

The TT Basics protractor is certainly cheaper, but it is NOT "the same mirror type setup". And it is much more accurate.

Dan_ed

I know the Turntable Basic mirror template and it's a normal overhang template just on a mirror , nothing special
No arc! Just two null points

The MintLP cantilever alignemt is done by fulcrum's arm alignement and not headshell alignement
Totally different thing!
I tried everything concerning cartridge alignement and I have read everything possible on the net regarding this problem .. nothing is comparable with the watchmaker precision of the MintLP Best Tractor

Before to know and to listen the result I was sceptical more than you all

Curio,

I am not surprised that you had success with the MintLP protractor. I do not believe that I have heard anyone say they did not get some improvement after using Yip's fine tool. Enjoy!

Nice to see a thread, where once, we all seem to agree about something! Yep, the Mintlp Protractor is superb, no doubt about it.

The TB Protractor isn't bad, but everybody seems to note differences in alignment when comparing the two, so with that said, I then wonder, is it the inaccuracy of the Sight Line TB versus the Arc Tractor, or is the TB Tractor in error some other way?

I wonder, and have asked this before, about some of these Arms, with "odd" null points, and can Yip then provide some custom Tractor per given Arm which seems to "stray" from other well known geometries? (Stevenson-Baerwald-Loefgren)

As others may know, there's another available Arc Tractor available, by Ken Willis, looks to be a very good quality as well, but is not a mirror, so the Parallax aid in aligning Cantilever may not be as good.

Still, on this Arc Tractor that he makes, one can have all three of the mentioned geometries above on one Tractor. Of course, being an Arc Tractor, it is only good for one known Spindle-Pivot Arm distance. Mark

I'll come out and say it:

I hate the Turntable Basics protractor.

I wouldn't say the Turntable Basics protractor is *inaccurate*, but it is not very *precise*. Set up your geometry using the Turntable Basics protractor, and everything will appear aligned properly. Then check it with a more precise protractor - it *may* appear way off. Realign with that more precise protractor, then double-check with the Turntable Basics protractor. It will still appear properly aligned.

I would love to have someone with a MintLP protractor compare their results with an arc protractor that I've created using MS Visio and the John Elison "Enjoy the Music" Excel spreadsheet that calculates Baerwald & Lofgren geometries. It takes about 10 minutes to generate a new protractor with a different Effective Length. The one I have generated is for a Rega / Origin Live tonearm (240 mm Effective Length). It would be even better if someone could show me how to generate a MS Visio file automatically from calculated values in an Excel spreadsheet. :)

To take this free protractor to the next level, print this protractor on an transparent plastic sheet and place it on top of a mirror. This may be my low-cost activity this weekend.

Anyone care to try it? Just PM me. I'm interested in knowing how much I'm "leaving on the table" (pun intended) by not dropping $110.00 on another protractor).