Mike, it sounds like the base of your Skala has been pushed backward relative to the pillar, probably during a mounting/unmounting operation. Unlike any of our other cartridge models (which are all monolithic structures), the Skala employs a two-section structure which is comprised of a small-footprint vertical metal pillar (which the cantilever assembly is mounted to, and a larger-footprint horizontal polymer base which carries the mounting screw bosses. A slide-and-rail system friction-fits the two sections to each other, thereby providing a relatively lossy interface (and therefore greater mechanical damping), but the downside of such a system is that under certain circumstances the sections can move slightly relative to each other.
Once the mounting screws are torqued down, they cause the polymer base to compress and bend, which then pulls the footprint of the vertical pillar firmly against the headshell surface so that everything is locked in position and cannot move. But if the polymer base is pulled or pushed before the mounting screws are in place and properly torqued down, it is possible for it to slide fore and aft. There is a built-in stopper to prevent excess base movement, but the base can slide a little before it hits the stopper. Mike, if you have measured 10.5mm from mounting screwhole center to stylus, it means that the polymer base has been pushed back relative to the metal pillar and should be pulled forward a little.
It is possible to pull the polymer base back forward, but you need to be very sure and very careful when doing this - otherwise there is a good chance that you will break the cantilever. If you want to try to nudge the base back to where it belongs and feel that you are up to the task, send me an email and I will think of a suitable way to describe the procedures that you need to take, with as little hazard to the cantilever as possible.
I am not going to post this information publically, because someone is going to follow the instructions, make a mistake and trash the cantilever.
FWIW, the exact location of the polymer base means absolutely nothing for the sound and performance (the Skala can play happily without any base at all), but for easier setup with arc protractors, it is better that the base is in the right position.
regards, jonathan carr
PS. Is anyone familiar with the Max Townshend gauge (US patent 166,447)? The actual gauge is a little different from the patent, primarily in how the error lines are defined. The patent shows straight error lines which indicate the error amount in degrees, while the actual gauge has curved error lines which indicate the error amount in distortion percentages. I find this tool to be quite useful, and extremely versatile (even when the hole for the arm pillar has been drilled in the wrong location, or the geometry data for the tonearm is missing).
