Jumping Needle

ranf1970

ranf1970

Life without music would be a mistake.
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Hey AKers,

I have come across an interesting problem with a record I tried playing last night. It is called "Japan: It's Sounds and People" from the Capitol of the World series (Please see pic). It has no major scratches and is not warped in any major fashion, but as soon as the needle hits the record, it starts to jump. It does this on both sides and appears to do so anywhere on the record. This was a GW find. It appears to be from the late 50s, but I'm not 100% sure. It was cleaned before going on the TT. I even cleaned the stylus. I have a Dual 1009 SK with an AT 120E/T cart. Everything is set at 1.5. Could someone tell me what I'm doing wrong? This is the first record that I have had that does this. Thanks for your help!
 

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Is the record all kinda wavy and lumpy? Because I bought a Lightfoot album like that, and all it did was make the tonearm jump around, even though it doesn't look that bad.

Try playing it on a cheaper turntable with a heavier tonearm, like a BSR changer or something.
 
wilkes85 said:
Is the record all kinda wavy and lumpy? Because I bought a Lightfoot album like that, and all it did was make the tonearm jump around, even though it doesn't look that bad.

Try playing it on a cheaper turntable with a heavier tonearm, like a BSR changer or something.
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It seems to sit pretty flat on the turntable and I don't see it as being wavy or lumpy. Unfortunately, this is my only turntable so I have nothing else to test it on. Any other ideas that might work?
 
1.5g, may be a bit low.

Not sure how the stylus force is created on your Dual, spring or weight.

But you could set for no force (arm balances) and put a coin on the headshell, then try playing.

Its many years since I did this, think that old UK sixpence was 2.5g.
 
ranf1970 said:
I feel like I'm putting roadblocks to all your great suggestions... Don't have that either...:no: What about a coin on the headshell?
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You can try this. Just make sure that the VTF is correct. I do not expect much of the difference though.

It is either the LP has low frequency that resonates with the stylus/tomearm or the LP was overmodulated with grooves actually crossing each other. The latter can be actually visually inspected with magnifying glass.
 
The reason I ask about the cleaning, is something similar happened to a record of mine. I cleaned it (Distilled water,Dawn, Alcohol,soft Toothbrush) and put the record on the turntable. It skipped in one song that I really liked. I put it away frustrated. a few months later, I pulled it out and cleaned it again. I figured it was a waste of time but, what the hey. It worked. Never skipped again. Other than that, if it doesnt do it on other records, I would rule out equipment problems for the most part.
 
kermit z said:
Other than that, if it doesnt do it on other records, I would rule out equipment problems for the most part.
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I have quite a few LPs (new and used), and yes, this is the first one that I had this problem with. I'll try the coin when I get home from work.
 
Dual are good, but I never trust the inbuilt stylus pressure markings on arms. I use an external gauge.

It may be that you are at less than 1.5g and it is not enough, and this record may just be a particularly tough one to track.
 
Try increasing the counterweight. That's what i do when I wanna play a warped record.

And don't put any coins on the headshell lol; I don't know why anyone ever did that lol, all it does is dig the stylus into the groove, and you will forever hear a loud "HISSSS" during that part of the song.
 
wilkes85 said:
Try increasing the counterweight. That's what i do when I wanna play a warped record.

And don't put any coins on the headshell lol; I don't know why anyone ever did that lol, all it does is dig the stylus into the groove, and you will forever hear a loud "HISSSS" during that part of the song.
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I was thinking about that too. I'll try increasing the counterweight to see what happens. Thanks!
 
I would be very careful by adding too much weight to the headshell or making the VTF too high. Your cart has a rated max VTF of 1.8g, although I imagine it can stand a little bit more than rated. If you add too much and collapse the cantilever, you will be in the market for a new cartridge.

Personally, if I couldn't get it to track in the recommended range, I would rather scrap the record than the cartridge. Especially since that LP surely isn't one of your holy grail.
 
www.records said:
Personally, if I couldn't get it to track in the recommended range, I would rather scrap the record than the cartridge. Especially since that LP surely isn't one of your holy grail.
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I agree with you 100%. If all fails, that was my next move. The LP was just $1.99 anyway. A cartridge is worth much more (especially since it isn't even a year old yet!).
 
If you don't have a stylus force gauge, get one. It is invaluable to the TT owner. The old Shure seesaw works well for me, though some prefer a digital scale. The Shure is the best 20 bucks, or less, that you will spend.
 
It could be the music on the LP causing the needle to jump. Japanese percussion can be very demanding.
 
Get down there and look at the stylus as it tracks the record (use a flashlight if you have to). Is it bouncing up and down (and, obviously, off the record) at certain places?

If it is, the record is warped. It's as simple as that.

Doug
 
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