Is your Lenco 'project' just sitting idle?

[Old_School]

How does the Jelco arm perform with the Lenco? I know it would be a drop-in replacement for the original top-plate but seeing as you went with the PTP, you could have run any tonearm. Just wondering.

The "s" wand Jelcos aren't a direct drop in. I thing the 250ST straight wand is. The main reason I went with the Jelco is cost. I also think it's better than stock Rega budget arms. The SME series III I have is more limited in cartridge choices, and I didn't want to tackle the SME mount until I was more comfortable with cutting the stone.

Since the move I've acquired an Audio Technica ATP-12T 10" arm, though I think that will go on the Garrard 401 that also fell into my lap (not cheaply, mind). I'm probably going to put more effort into the Garrard at the moment, as the Lenco speed controller project is delayed.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Have a L 70, awaiting a Norbert metal idler wheel upgrade to replace the hardened, rumbly, plastic original idler wheel. Then need to wire new interconnect cables and install a cartridge suitable for the old arm (a Shure M 44-7 most likely what I install)

 

[fiddlefye]

I love building the plinths. But I'm not rich, and the arms that interest me are not exactly for the poor.
So, I've got one plinth project that is idle because of that.
Its a soapstone plinth that I'm stuck on. I've got the deck fitted onto it, and the stone is ready to apply a finish on, but I don't have an arm for it. So for now, it sits tucked below my mono console, all forlorn.
But over the last two years or so, I've replinthed four Presto-Bogen-Lencos, with one more to do (then onto the Pioneer idler).

Adding in edit:
Make that five P-B-L's replinthed in the last ~2 years, as I did one for a friend last month that slipped my mind. I did a minimization-to-massiveness build, by minimizing the open space within a stock plinth, by adding 1x2 wood slats and soapstone as a CLD layering within the stocker plinth - a sleeper hot-rodded build.

Always love looking at your amazing projects, Mike!

 

[bob06]

This is my newest build. This is my 3rd Lenco/Bogen build. This is one has been Hot Rodded but left it stock looking other than the Plinth. Also with the stock cover. Denon 103 hiding under the Headshell.

 

[cdk99]

Hot rodded? Overhead valves on that flathead motor? An overdrive idler wheel? :^)

Just saw this thread, no wonder no one else has a Lenco; they're all being hoarded here! The Lenco triangle.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Bear in mind, Lencos were never common in the USA to begin with. Though sold here for quite a number of years.

 

[bob06]

The Plinth is layered Baltic Birch wrap in Padauk. Plus a sneak peek under the hood.

 

[kirk57]

View attachment 841026 View attachment 841027 View attachment 841028 This is my newest build. This is my 3rd Lenco/Bogen build. This is one has been Hot Rodded but left it stock looking other than the Plinth. Also with the stock cover. Denon 103 hiding under the Headshell.

I'm liking the overall vibe of this one Bob. Clearly vintage, but with a modern slant to it, and very clean.
I need to fix my B61 up, although it needs a nicer head shell and those have gotten way too expensive...

 

[doctor fuse]

What a great thread! Even better than the stuff over at LencoHeaven...

The OP articulated EXACTLY how I feel about my lone L75/S. I have had it for about 4 months, and bought it with the intention of building a heavy plinth for it, and mounting a second arm (Grace or Rega) on the plinth, to isolate it from noise from the motor or bearing or top plate in general.

Hopefully I can get started when I have a week off in January, but more likely it will have to wait until the weather warms up, in May or June. As someone stated early in the thread, "my hands aren't fond of frost bite."

 

[T68]

You don't need to build a new plinth for a L75 to get that heavy, well dampened goodness. A stock plinth can be modified to achieve this. This is how I tweaked my spring suspended original plinth:
- remove the spring suspension (mine was the type with bottom suspension)
- screw a reinforcement frame to the bottom of the plinth
- Screw the bottom board to the frame
- fill the innards where there is space with modelling clay and make compartments to be filled with lead shots
- Screw the top chassis to the plinth
Voila: 40 pounds of nice stock looking Lenco!

(but of course I have another L75 under the bed waiting for my custom plinth build too )

 

[doctor fuse]

You don't need to build a new plinth for a L75 to get that heavy, well dampened goodness. A stock plinth can be modified to achieve this. This is how I tweaked my spring suspended original plinth:
- remove the spring suspension (mine was the type with bottom suspension)
- screw a reinforcement frame to the bottom of the plinth
- Screw the bottom board to the frame
- fill the innards where there is space with modelling clay and make compartments to be filled with lead shots
- Screw the top chassis to the plinth
Voila: 40 pounds of nice stock looking Lenco!

(but of course I have another L75 under the bed waiting for my custom plinth build too )

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I've added some plasticine to my [unsprung] L75/S, but the real reason I want to build a larger plinth is so there is room to mount another tonearm on it.

The stock Jelco SA-13TL1 arm is nice enough, but not in the league of my Rega and Grace arms, and there is a faintest buzz or noise that is either from the arm's wiring or from the top plate, I really can't tell for sure. I built a temporary arm stand for the Grace and it is silent.