Adjustable VTA on SL 1600?

[Sticklyman]

Greetings,

Does anybody know of a way to adjust VTA on a Technics SL 1600? I've got some sheets of cork that I want to try as a mat, but they are thicker than the original. I didn't see anything about VTA in the manual, but I figured I'd ask just to make sure.

 

[kmulkey]

IIRC there is not an adjustment on the tonearm itself so you will have to shim the headshell.

 

[HypnoToad]

I have a SL-1700 and found the arm was higher than I wanted so I put an old album "under" the rubber mat of the right thickness, worked like a charm and I think it improved the sound as well. The top of my Grado Gold now rides level as per Grado's recommendation.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Yep your gonna have to use different mat thickness. Not to hard to makem either after your first 25

I know that's what I had to do on my 1500........

 

[Sticklyman]

I suppose I should have looked beforehand to see how my cartridge wants to ride on the record. As it happens, I need a bit of a thicker mat, lucky me. Now I just need to figure out how the hell I'm going to cut that cork to fit and not balls it up too terribly. Any advice?

 

[dodog]

I just laid my plastic mat (Technics stock) on top of the cork and carefully used an exacto around the circle. I did a little light sanding to even out a few bumps. Use a drill bit for the spindle hole and you're set. The cork usually comes in a 4-pack so you should be set (even with mistakes). I have thumbs for fingers and I did it. You can too!

 

[Sticklyman]

I just laid my plastic mat (Technics stock) on top of the cork and carefully used an exacto around the circle. I did a little light sanding to even out a few bumps. Use a drill bit for the spindle hole and you're set. The cork usually comes in a 4-pack so you should be set (even with mistakes). I have thumbs for fingers and I did it. You can too!

Thanks man, I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Stanton681EEES]

Thanks man, I hadn't thought of that.

Or use a crappy old record........ and cut around the outer edge, but I guess you knew that :yes:

 

[Sticklyman]

Or use a crappy old record........ and cut around the outer edge, but I guess you knew that :yes:

No, that is the kind of common sense idea that often completely escapes me. Thanks again.