Grado Green3 tracking force

[onederbred]

This might be a newb question, but I’m definitely a newb when it comes to older turntables and counterweighted tone arms.

Currently running a Prestige Green3 on a Dual 1219. Balanced my tone arm and set my tracking 1.7 and anti-skate to match on the elliptical setting. Every time a record would get to the third track it would start skipping. I rebalanced and reset everything and it kept happening.

So I just sort of went trial and error mode and adjusted my counterweight until it stopped skipping. Currently running 2.3g of force and moved my anti-skate to the spherical setting (I’d still get occasional issues on the elliptical) and it’s working wonders… no more skipping!!

I guess my main question is will this damage anything? (I mean is 0.5g really that big of a difference?) And am I just imagining things with the different anti-skate settings?

Or now that I look at the tags, this seems to be a common issue with Dual 1219/1229 apparently. Is there another way to avoid the skipping while running the manufacturer recommended tracking force?

 

[ejman]

I have a Grado Green 1 and on a variety of tonearms (including a Dual 1019 - no longer have a 1219) it seems to prefer little to no antiskate. and about 1.8 grams. Currently using it on a Pioneer PL 112D at 1.8 grams 0.5 antiskate tracks and sounds great. BTW some really great turntable manufacturers are really skeptical of the values for antiskate as the correct amount is constantly changing as the stylus traverses the record. Many have found that Grado Cartridges sound better with an anti-skate setting of zero. Purportedly, Grado themselves have recommended this.

 

[mkane]

1.58g

 

[Hajidub]

Buy a digital VTF gauge. These 60 yr old TT's are not usually accurate when setting tracking force.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

This might be a newb question, but I’m definitely a newb when it comes to older turntables and counterweighted tone arms.

Currently running a Prestige Green3 on a Dual 1219. Balanced my tone arm and set my tracking 1.7 and anti-skate to match on the elliptical setting. Every time a record would get to the third track it would start skipping. I rebalanced and reset everything and it kept happening.

So I just sort of went trial and error mode and adjusted my counterweight until it stopped skipping. Currently running 2.3g of force and moved my anti-skate to the spherical setting (I’d still get occasional issues on the elliptical) and it’s working wonders… no more skipping!!

I guess my main question is will this damage anything? (I mean is 0.5g really that big of a difference?) And am I just imagining things with the different anti-skate settings?

Or now that I look at the tags, this seems to be a common issue with Dual 1219/1229 apparently. Is there another way to avoid the skipping while running the manufacturer recommended tracking force?

Some recommended tools of the trade each about $10

Digital scale will make setting VTF so much easier


A jeweller's loupe to inspect the stylus for cleanliness or damage, (you need a scope, special lighting technique, and knowledge for wear)


Alignment protractor, this one is very simple to use with directions printed right on it




Anti-static brush


Stylus cleaner, I've used this brand for decades with great results


And some kind of vinyl cleaning regimen whether in the kitchen sink or an RCM, plenty of threads on the subject to research.

 

[Sgt Shultz]

As for your current dilemma Grado used to recommend 1.5 - 2.0g with zero anti-skate so maybe dial back on both and see where your at and go from there.

 

[onederbred]

So I have a TF scale and have used it every time I’ve set my TF and antiskate. From what I’ve read, this skipping problem is pretty common with the 1219 and 1229. It looks like it has to do with the bearings/rubber sleeve on the single/multi select lever that binds up the horizontal movement of the tone arm. I’m scared to replace it myself, but I suppose I need to get over it since I’m sure I’ll need to do other maintenance on this player in the future