Empire tonearm not in balance

[noted]

Need some help. Purchased an awesome looking Empire 598iii turntable. I can not get the tonearm to play. The counterweight is as close to the pivot point as possible, but yet the weight of the tonearm/cartridge isn’t enough to lower the cartridge.

 

[loudnoises]

Add weights to the headshell.

What cartridge are you using?

 

[noted]

Add weights to the headshell.

What cartridge are you using?

Using an audio technica VM 760 SLC. Hard to believe adding weight, like in the day you'd put a nickel on the headshell if your record skipped.

 

[Buck Rogers]

The tonearm was designed back in the days when cartridges weighed more.

So either machine down or replace counter weight or add weight to the head shell.

I have a box of left over head shell weights from many years of repairing turntables.

 

[noted]

Thanks for the reply. The Empire counterweight is accessible from the back. Looks like I can remove the weight and machine it down. Or if the turntable gods are with me, there will be weight rings to remove.
The odd thing about this unit is I've tried the cartridge that the previous owner used? Same problem.
Thanks again

 

[malden]

Looks like I can remove the weight and machine it down.

no, no, NO

 

[malden]

The tonearm was designed back in the days when cartridges weighed more.

No, that's not true for the 598

So either machine down or replace counter weight or add weight to the head shell.
I have a box of left over head shell weights from many years of repairing turntables.

You have many years of repairing turntables but you suggest machining down the counterweight before evaluating the tonearm?

 

[OBMG74]

So for comparison, I have a Grado Black on mine which weighs 5.5 grams.
The counterweight is about 3/8” away from the tone arm base.

Have you checked the tone arm wiring beneath the table to see if it is too tight, pulling the tone arm up?

 

[malden]

The odd thing about this unit is I've tried the cartridge that the previous owner used? Same problem.

It's a dynamically balanced tonearm, it may need to be repaired, just don't take it to a machine shop....

 

[noted]

no, no, NO

Great advice. I'm going to order some weights. Thanks for your help.

 

[cgallery]

That big knob on the side of the arm gimbal doesn't control a VTF spring by any chance, does it? If yes, is it possible the spring is applying some negative VTF?

 

[malden]

That big knob on the side of the arm gimbal doesn't control a VTF spring by any chance, does it?

yes it does

 

[Buck Rogers]

You do know what that large knob on the side does, Right?

 

[malden]

Add weights to the headshell.

that's a possible solution but I suspect there is something the OP is doing wrong

What cartridge are you using?

the photo looks like a Pickering XV15 which weighs 6 grams, the same weight as the Shure cartridge that I use in my 598

 

[malden]

Great advice. I'm going to order some weights.

It shouldn't need extra weight at the headshell.

The tonearm is either not setup properly or it needs to be repaired. Adding extra weight will only mask the problem

 

[noted]

It's a dynamically balanced tonearm, it may need to be repaired, just don't take it to a machine shop....

I'll call around. Thanks

 

[noted]

So for comparison, I have a Grado Black on mine which weighs 5.5 grams.
The counterweight is about 3/8” away from the tone arm base.

Have you checked the tone arm wiring beneath the table to see if it is too tight, pulling the tone arm up?

The wires don't appear to be tight. The wires are directly under the pivot point, which shouldn't cause tension?

 

[OBMG74]

Great advice. I'm going to order some weights. Thanks for your help.

To be honest, I don’t remember.

Your cartridge weighs 8 grams, my Grado weighs 5.5 grams and is perfectly fine.

That rules out the need for additional headshell weight.

Please don’t not throw parts, tone arm repair or machining at this before analyzing the problem.

Could be something minor.

There is a very lengthy thread on AK on the 598.
Might be worth a read.
Sorry, don’t have the link.

 

[OBMG74]

Maybe a little history on how you acquired the table would be helpful.

Ebay and shipped?
(shipping damage?)

If local, was it demonstrated as working properly?
Or, did the previous owner sell it as is, as in handed to you.
Thrift shop?

 

[noted]

To be honest, I don’t remember.

Your cartridge weighs 8 grams, my Grado weighs 5.5 grams and is perfectly fine.

That rules out the need for additional headshell weight.

Please don’t not throw parts, tone arm repair or machining at this before analyzing the problem.

Could be something minor.

There is a very lengthy thread on AK on the 598.
Might be worth a read.
Sorry, don’t have the link.

Thank you for the great advice. The tunearm looks brand new. No loose or bent parts, so hopefully it's just user error.