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Any of you have trouble aligning a cartridge?

Ok, after inspecting everything, something is off here. There is a Technics headshell with an ATX-14 cartridge, but I believe the headshell needs to be replaced. There are two screws on it but no matter which way I turn them, they neither tighten nor loosen. The washers are either not there at all of they're so thin and tiny that I'm not sure they're even there. The screws sink down into the ridges and I'm not sure if they're supposed to sit on top or not. When I look at the sides of it, I can see a little nut on each side that also turn when I turn the screws.

After listening to it, the high end is missing. I think I'll pick up a new cartridge/headshell combo as I was kind of expecting to anyway. The AT120eb with the matching headshell is what I'll go for I think.
 

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I've long despised cartridge alignment. Finally bought the gauge for my Thorens and its now minutes of effort that works vs many minutes of annoyance. Most of my other machines have no ability to align carts, which I like just fine but of the two that do, I have gauges for both now.

thared33 said:
I can see a little nut on each side that also turn when I turn the screws.
Click to expand...

don't read too much into this, but you have to hold the nuts. Tweezers work, but you can probably just wedge a screwdriver between the nut and the cartridge body to get the same thing done. Or if you've got a set of ignition wrenches for adjusting points, possibly one is small enough.
 
@KRab, I have a Micro Seiki headshell alignment gauge on it's way to me. Does yours have all the additional lines above and below your alignment mark?
If so it than becomes a great tool for other tables that you set up with a protractor. After using the protractor, slip the headshell into the gauge and note what line it aligns with. Jot that down in a note book and the next time you need to line up a cart for that table you can just use the gauge.

BillWojo
 
thared33 said:
Ok, after inspecting everything, something is off here. There is a Technics headshell with an ATX-14 cartridge, but I believe the headshell needs to be replaced. There are two screws on it but no matter which way I turn them, they neither tighten nor loosen. The washers are either not there at all of they're so thin and tiny that I'm not sure they're even there. The screws sink down into the ridges and I'm not sure if they're supposed to sit on top or not. When I look at the sides of it, I can see a little nut on each side that also turn when I turn the screws.

After listening to it, the high end is missing. I think I'll pick up a new cartridge/headshell combo as I was kind of expecting to anyway. The AT120eb with the matching headshell is what I'll go for I think.
Click to expand...

You will still need to be able to align the new cartridge. The 52mm method will work just fine for that arm.

There should be washers between the screwhead (which should be on the top side of the headshell) and the headshell.

For most cartridges, there should be nuts at tne end of tbe screws (bolts, actually). These must be held in place to tighten the bolts.

However, some carts have threaded sleeves, and need no nut. Much easier...I don't know why this is not more common.

I mention these things because I am not sure your current cart and headshell are faulty...other than perhaps missing the washers. Perhaps the issue is more of a cockpit error than a mechanical issue.

Pics would help readers provide more precise diagnoses and suggestions.
 
I posted a couple pics above, but I can take more if you need them. I'm absolutely positive that the stylus on this thing needs to be replaced because it sounds like a hefty LPF is rolled way back on everything, so I'd like to get a new headshell/cartridge combo. The AT120eb looks good. In the meantime I'll work on the one I have, eventually get a new stylus for it and use it as a backup.
 
Duane said:
In the user manual, it shows the overhang in illustration 5-2 per the download from Vinyl Engine.

All you have to do after setting the overhang to 52mm is to make sure the cart is square in the headshell.
Click to expand...

I looked for this in the manual but I don't see any figures with dashes. It appears that figure 19 is the one I needed, and yeah, it says 52mm. I'll keep this in mind.
 
Is it called the 'Technics Needle Gauge Adjustment'? SFK0135-01 is the tool #. I'm also going to be using a new headshell which is an Audio Technica brand, so hope it'll still work with that.
 
BillWojo said:
@KRab, I have a Micro Seiki headshell alignment gauge on it's way to me. Does yours have all the additional lines above and below your alignment mark?
If so it than becomes a great tool for other tables that you set up with a protractor. After using the protractor, slip the headshell into the gauge and note what line it aligns with. Jot that down in a note book and the next time you need to line up a cart for that table you can just use the gauge.

BillWojo
Click to expand...
Mine just has the center line and notch. It's designed for the CF-1 style tone arms to just clip over the head shell. Other than positioning the stylus tip at 15mm overhang.
IMG_2481.jpg
 
tnsilver said:
Try this with a graphite tip off a mechanical pencil - it takes much of the guess work out of the parts you can't see

cXx7nXx.jpg
Click to expand...

Tnsilver just won the award: tip of the year 2019!
 
I used to fiddle around for hours with various protractors and printed patterns of the internet. I eventually decided to buy a GEO DISC.
Put it on your turntable, sight the ridge in the disc so it points exactly to the tonearm pivot point. I used to fix a bit of cotton to pivot centre and outer edge of disc to line it up, then tape the plater so it does not move (3rd pic), then adjust. In my case it worked easy and quick.
Also used earlier suggestion by Tnsilver, post No.9, of fixing graphite to help lining up, only I used a sewing needle.
upload_2019-12-25_21-55-20.png
upload_2019-12-25_21-55-47.png
upload_2019-12-25_21-56-12.png
 
thared33 said:
Is it called the 'Technics Needle Gauge Adjustment'? SFK0135-01 is the tool #. I'm also going to be using a new headshell which is an Audio Technica brand, so hope it'll still work with that.
Click to expand...

That adjustment tool is correct, that will let you set the correct overhang.
The audio technica headshell should work as long as it is for an "S" shaped tonearm.

thared33 said:
Ok, after inspecting everything, something is off here. There is a Technics headshell with an ATX-14 cartridge, but I believe the headshell needs to be replaced. There are two screws on it but no matter which way I turn them, they neither tighten nor loosen. The washers are either not there at all of they're so thin and tiny that I'm not sure they're even there. The screws sink down into the ridges and I'm not sure if they're supposed to sit on top or not. When I look at the sides of it, I can see a little nut on each side that also turn when I turn the screws.

After listening to it, the high end is missing. I think I'll pick up a new cartridge/headshell combo as I was kind of expecting to anyway. The AT120eb with the matching headshell is what I'll go for I think.
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong with the headshell. the screws go down into those slots.
IMG-6798.jpg

If the nuts are turning with the screws you simply have to hold them as you tighten.
 
BudrowBob said:
That adjustment tool is correct, that will let you set the correct overhang.
The audio technica headshell should work as long as it is for an "S" shaped tonearm.


There is nothing wrong with the headshell. the screws go down into those slots.
IMG-6798.jpg

If the nuts are turning with the screws you simply have to hold them as you tighten.
Click to expand...

Everyone mentioning to hold the nuts must be blind lol. Can't you see in the pic he needs spacers? The screws are TOO LONG and running out of threads before tightening down on the cartridge, simple as 1, 2, 3 lol.

No wonder so many find installing a cartridge difficult ROFLMAO.

unnamed (19).jpg

Anyone thinking it's difficult installing a cartridge on a removable headshell should try it with one that's fixed, then you're really having fun lol.
 
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vinowino said:
I used to fiddle around for hours with various protractors and printed patterns of the internet. I eventually decided to buy a GEO DISC.
Put it on your turntable, sight the ridge in the disc so it points exactly to the tonearm pivot point. I used to fix a bit of cotton to pivot centre and outer edge of disc to line it up, then tape the plater so it does not move (3rd pic), then adjust. In my case it worked easy and quick.
Also used earlier suggestion by Tnsilver, post No.9, of fixing graphite to help lining up, only I used a sewing needle.
View attachment 1708996
View attachment 1708997
View attachment 1708998
Click to expand...

The MoFi alignment disc works as a great initial setup. I use two null point guide after the Geo-Disc. Seems to work fine on multiple headshells and cartridges.

vertical alignment (2) small.jpg
 
Grenadeslio said:
Everyone mentioning to hold the nuts must be blind lol. Can't you see in the pic he needs spacers? The screws are TOO LONG and running out of threads before tightening down on the cartridge, simple as 1, 2, 3 lol.

No wonder so many find installing a cartridge difficult ROFLMAO.

View attachment 1709061

Anyone thinking it's difficult installing a cartridge on a removable headshell should try it with one that's fixed, then you're really having fun lol.
Click to expand...
Actually, now that you point that out, perhaps those are metal spacers on there that can be removed.

and yes, those are really long screws.
 
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JoeESP9 said:
I added to my post with some very basic and simple directions.

I'll add; if you're using a free downloaded protractor from VE print it on card stock and laminate it with plastic film.

FWIW: I wear bifocals. Without them I'd be lost. I would gladly help anyone within a reasonable distance. I believe if the OP posted his location someone would offer to help.
Click to expand...

I've used your method many times. Very simple, and thank you.

The bitch of it is, I'm always second-guessing. It isn't like some confetti shoots out of a cannon, announcing, "Hey, you got it correct!!"

Usually, I futz with it until I get frustrated, and then just go with what I have. I always seem to hit both null points on my mirrored thing I bought of e-prey.

I think the other bitch of it is, there's not really a right/wrong, within reason. Hence so many different ways to do it. Me, I DESPISE IGD. Kills the mood. Anyone know the best way to avoid IGD in regard to the alignment method?? (Baerwald, Stevenson, Stravinsky, Popeye?) p.s. two of those are fake, as if....:p
 
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