How to set the tracking force on my TT?

[nadams]

I have a Technics SL-MA1 TT, which appears to have adjustable tracking force on the tonearm. I'm having issues with some LPs having a lot of sibilance... almost a static in the highs. It's weird, though, because some LPs sound great, like Green Day's Warning. Then I put on Billy Joel - Stranger, and every high note on the piano, and every "s" that he sings sounds like nothing but static. Both LPs are brand new, and in perfect condition as such.

Anyone know what I can do to resolve this? My thought was that the downward pressure on the cartridge needs to be adjusted, but when I did that using the little dial on the back end of the tonearm, nothing appeared to change. It's possible that this little dial is broken...

I'm using an Audio-Technica ESCAT301 cartridge with the Shibata diamond stylus. Vertical tracking is said to be 1.0-1.5 grams. I'd love to set it to this, but the dial on my tonearm doesn't have a marker to designate what the setting is??? It has numbers on the dial for grams, but no reference point on the arm itself.

[nadams]

Also, the tracking force dial spins around with no stops, so there's no way for me to even guesstimate what it's set to. I'm guessing that it must be broken.

[ESavinon]

p mount?

[ESavinon]

I believe this turntable is a p mount design.
You don't have to set tracking force on a p mount design unless it's severely out of adjustment. Do you have the manual? They're easy to get online.

[Keiko]

http://www.jr.com/shure/pe/SHU_SFG2/

For now, back off the tonearm weight to where it floats/hovers above the platter. That's an approximate zero balance. Once you achieve that you should be able to set the weight to zero. Now rotate the weight on the tonearm to the minimum tracking force requirement designed for your cartridge. Hopefully this will help until you get a stylus gauge to set it more accurately.

[Fongolio]

What Keiko said but when your arm is balanced and floating turn just the outer part of the dial (should be split..a large counterweight part with the little free spinning dial on the end) to zero without upsetting the balance. Then turn the larger counterweight and the little marked dial together up to your minimum tracking force (1 gram). If you still have sibilance keep turning the whole counterweight unit up until sibilance disappears. I have on occasion had to run slightly higher than the maximum recommended tracking force for some cartridges to get rid of annoying sibilance. Good luck. Here is a link to a good read on general cartridge setup.
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttadjust.html#INTRO

[Keiko]

Curious if you have any improvement to report nadams?

[nadams]

Finally got around to fiddling with the TT tonight. Once I followed your instructions, the sibilance went away. Seems I had it about a gram too heavy. Thankfully, the cartridge/needle didn't appear to have any damage.

Had to actually mark the weight, as I didn't see any mark already on it. Then I had to hold the outer dial while I turned the weight, because it spun with the weight. But now, all is good. I just need to figure a way to clean the records better than my dry brush can manage :)

Thanks for all your help.

[Keiko]

I just need to figure a way to clean the records better than my dry brush can manage

I wet clean with my home brew solution of a natural, unscented liquid soap, purified water mixed mildly with 99% isopropyl alcohol & elbow grease. After a good scrubbing I rinse thoroughly with purified water. Before this pita ritual, I pre-clean with Phoenix record cleaner and a Shark Steamer. After the final rinse, descibed above, I blast my records again with the steamer and rinse once more. Wipe with a soft fiber cloth and let air dry in a dish rack I have specifically for vinyl. When it's dry and ready for play, I put it on the TT and hit it with a dry velvet record pad then an AudioQuest carbon fiber brush. Zap it with the Zerostat and cue. Works well, but I'm sure Joe, Fong and anyone else blessed enough to own one would suggest a VPI. I just ordered a Gruv Glide kit and will be implementing this on my clean records. The Gruv Glide is supposed to act as a preservative. Cleaning is the biggest pain in the ass, but it's worth it in the end.

http://www.amazon.com/Euro-Pro-Shark-Super-Steamer/dp/B000GHDN38/ref=pd_bbs_sr_9?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1236245002&sr=8-9

http://www.sleevetown.com/vinyl-cleaning.shtml

Glad to hear you got the other issue worked out.

[thsmith]

To give me piece of mind on how I had my tonearm weight set I checked it with one of these and I was right on. Worth $16 IMO and with coupon can be had for $10. I have seen people sell them on ebay for nearly $100.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93543

[Keiko]

To give me piece of mind on how I had my tonearm weight set I checked it with one of these and I was right on. Worth $16 IMO and with coupon can be had for $10. I have seen people sell them on ebay for nearly $100.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93543
That looks like a good deal for sure. I've seen some digital stylus tracking force gauges cost into the hundreds. Is this flat enough to sit on the platter thsmith to get an accurate reading?

[thsmith]

Yep, I have to remove my plater to make the measurement. Its pretty thin. Let me know if you would like a pic or 2.

[Polkersince85]

Speaking of HarborFreight and cleaning records, I picked up a couple of these clamps on sale for 2.99 ea. I put them on each side if a record and clamped down. Makes a set of handles for hand cleaning the record and not having to worry about getting the label wet. Tested it on a couple of records and seemed to work fine. Results may vary.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40993

[Keiko]

^^^Polkie ingenuity at it's finest. :D

[SCompRacer]

^^^Polkie ingenuity at it's finest. :D


+1!

With an old, unplayable LP, it could also double as a shield (or a really big pacifier for a vinyl nut).:p:D

[Polkersince85]

I figured this would give Ben a woodie:D

[Dagoods]

To give me piece of mind on how I had my tonearm weight set I checked it with one of these and I was right on. Worth $16 IMO and with coupon can be had for $10. I have seen people sell them on ebay for nearly $100.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93543
Thanks, that was a really good find!

[Keiko]

I figured this would give Ben a woodie:D
:eek:

[thsmith]

Thanks, that was a really good find!

Espcially since a friend found and bought for me as a gift ;)

[inspiredsports]

Good thread!

I sure love the idea of an electronic scale, and I may be wrong here, but I'm worried it would not be accurate on many turntables. The force applied at the stylus tip/LP groove junction is dependent upon VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle). If the thickness of the scale is thicker or thinner than the thickness of your specific platter with an LP on top of it, would the scale's measurement would be off a bit?

I guess the Shure balance gauge has a margin of error also, but it does allow you to line up the balance beam with the stationary side pretty accurately at the exact record groove height on your specific turntable.

I've found an interesting take on VTA here: http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/vta_e.html

[Fongolio]

I've found an interesting take on VTA here: http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/vta_e.html

Very interesting read. I will spend a lot less time on that particular parameter when setting up my turntables from now on. I could never hear it either.

[hearingimpared]

When adjusting the VTA you can tell if you've got it right because the music SNAPS into focus and it is not subtle.