Micro Seiki Head Shell

T

thumper2215

New Member
Hi,

I have a Microseiki DD40 with an MA 505 tone arm I am looking for an original head shell for it, it is the only thing missing on it that is not original. I paid $65.00 canadian dollars for it 15 years ago, works like a charm and looks wonderful. I spotted one head shell on e-bay but they want about $130.00 for it !! :tears: does anyone know were I could get one at a more sensible price ? I know it won't be easy but hey its worth a shot.

Thank You.
 
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They are cool looking, though rather high mass, and there isn't really anything that resembles them that you could sort of fake it with. When I had a TM 44 (I think), the mass of the headshell bothered me and rather than doing the sensible thing and using a different headshell, I drilled and filed out a circular cutout so that much of the back (and thicker) part of the casting was removed. It actually looked pretty good, but in retrospect I wish I hadn't done it, and even more so, I wish I'd kept the headshell.
Good luck finding one -- your best bet is probably one on an mid 70s table rather than by itself or on an arm, since the more modest tables aren't particularly desireable and go under the radar.
 
Nat said:
They are cool looking, though rather high mass, and there isn't really anything that resembles them that you could sort of fake it with. When I had a TM 44 (I think), the mass of the headshell bothered me and rather than doing the sensible thing and using a different headshell, I drilled and filed out a circular cutout so that much of the back (and thicker) part of the casting was removed. It actually looked pretty good, but in retrospect I wish I hadn't done it, and even more so, I wish I'd kept the headshell.
Good luck finding one -- your best bet is probably one on an mid 70s table rather than by itself or on an arm, since the more modest tables aren't particularly desireable and go under the radar.
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When all else fails, I fall back on the two miracle products: duct tape and J B Weld
 
Nat said:
Good luck finding one -- your best bet is probably one on an mid 70s table rather than by itself or on an arm, since the more modest tables aren't particularly desireable and go under the radar.
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Be careful and pay attention, though - MS used a couple of different headshell designs. The 505 (and many of the others) uses a rotating ring to draw the headshell in and lock it down. Other tonearms (the CF-1, 707, a lot of the ones in the BL series, etc.) have the headshell slide straight in and use a sidemounted clamping screw to hold it in place. The two headshell designs are NOT interchangeable.

David
 
That's exactly why I suggested the 70s tables, since the straight arm models are later. I think Micro may have used yet another type of headshell in the 60s, but I would imagine you wouldn't be likely to find one.
But you do need to look at the specific shell just to be sure, since some of the SME/japanese type headshells were the lovely scooped one that came on the original 505 and lesser arms, and then there was a less appealing (to me) black with two metal stripes (if memory serves) version that was on the arms with smaller bearing mounts that came later.
 
Nat said:
That's exactly why I suggested the 70s tables, since the straight arm models are later.
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I realized that was why you qualified it to the 70s, I just wanted to make sure the OP didn't accidentally pick up an inexpensive model with a headshell that won't work on a 505.

Not sure I've ever even seen a Micro from the 60's - you happen to know what models those might be? Be interesting to see an early model.

David
 
I believe I saw some pictures of Micro arms etc in a british hifi book or magazine from the 60s. The book was part of a collection of older audio books at a used book store in Jaffery NH, and I wondered if it was was owned previously by someone at Audio Amateur which is a town or two over.
the arm was not sleek like later Micro stuff -- the headshell looked like an AR XA or the early PE arms heads -- boxy and blocky. Its quite possible this stuff was never marketed in the US.
 
It would be interesting to see a TA Micro produced in the 60's. I always thought they didn't get into turntables until sometime in the 70's.
 
thumper2215 said:
Hi,

I have a Microseiki DD40 with an MA 505 tone arm I am looking for an original head shell for it, it is the only thing missing on it that is not original. I paid $65.00 canadian dollars for it 15 years ago, works like a charm and looks wonderful. I spotted one head shell on e-bay but they want about $130.00 for it !! :tears: does anyone know were I could get one at a more sensible price ? I know it won't be easy but hey its worth a shot.

Thank You.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately those Headshells like what you want go for big bucks on ebay, sorry to say. But keep looking ya never know you may luck out and get one for a decent price.
 
If the one you're currently using is the universal type (need picture?), just get an upscale one like an AT ceramic matrix and be happy with the reduced mass for modern high compliance cartridges. Many of us skip the factory shells if they weigh more than 8~9 grams :)
 
Thanks for the info guys, advice well taken. Brocluno what do you mean by a "AT Ceramic matrix" ? is it some sort of low mass composite head shell ?
 
Yup. They are about $50, but extremely rigid and fairly lite. I'll do some looking and see if I can find part numbers. Their magnesium shells start at 8 grams and go up to around 16 IIRC. They are more appropriate for medium and low compliance cartridges like MCs. The ceramic matrix shells start at around 7 grams and go 12 IIRC. One of the eBay vendors who deals direct from Japan sells them. LPGear may too?

Here's one of the 15 gram units for use with a MC cartridge: http://www.hovanfue.com/store/products/Audio-Technica-Japan-AT%2dLH15{47}OCC-Headshell.html

I have seen others down to 9 grams and heard of ones even lighter :)
 
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