2. analog
  3. 1419235037

Do wooden arms warp

I hate to sound stupid or pedantic, but I have historically done a lot of woodwork - turning/routering/bedmaking. The single biggest problem is locating wood that does not warp.
Wood cut and left to settle over 50 years continue to warp, likewise, even very old wood warps as well. In my experience when a piece is smaller/thinner it is more pronounced unless there is some lamination (not always a cure). I am yet to come across or find a treatment which stops warping. It would be nice if a manufacturer of such an arm chimes in on this thread, because arms such as: Durand, Shroder, Reed etc all have wood arms/options and they really are the most expensive arms out there.
lohanimal
lohanimal OP
659 posts
 
In response to Lewm - I was not having a pop at wooden arms, and my post was in essence inquisitorial as to what people have experienced. In other words I am surprised as to the heated nature of your response. I see the point that cartridges wear out (although they can be re-tipped) likewise other components as well, but I am umming and ahhing about a super arm like a Schroeder LT or a Durand, and it is in pursuance of this that I made the post.
mikelavigne
2,210 posts
 
having owned 8 wooden armed tone arms (Schroeder, Reed and Durand) the issue ignored here is how the wood is treated.....which, of course, is secret and proprietary for each manufacturer.

so to generalize about what wood is going to do or not do in terms of temperature and humidity or even time is simply wrong.

personally i'm agnostic about material, passionate about performance.
lewm
13,522 posts
 
I deliberately over-reacted to stir up some responses. In fact, I totally agree with Mike. In my personal experience, Schroeder, Reed, and Durand tonearms are or can be just wonderful sounding. And they do last. (The dirty little secret is that Durand has lately eschewed the use of wood in their TOTL design, the Telos. Mike probably knows this.) So it's more fair and valid to target one's criticisms to specific tonearms, rather than to tar and feather the whole bunch of them. By that token, I apologize to lovers of carbon fiber and ceramic. (Ceramic? What tonearm is made of ceramic?)

Tony, good luck aligning your cartridge within "microns". That ought to keep you up at night.

Lohanimal, I never did think you were taking a pot shot; some of the responders were, though.
tonywinsc
583 posts
 
Not a problem. I rough in my set up with my eyes and then fine tune with my ears.
redglobe
223 posts
 
Lewm, cursing and discrediting other posters, and stating that the issue should "be put to death" does not sound like a way to stir up responses. I observed you do this in a number of other posts. It is a bit tiresome.

Why not stick with facts and introduce valid arguments? That should stimulate thoughtful discussion.

And when you lose your cool with nasty swipes at others, a simple apology is in order.
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