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Pioneer PL-115d headshell, cart, and other questions

A

Aaron S

Member
Hey all,

I have a line on a pretty beat up PL 115d that I'd like to nurse back to health. It's missing the headshell, doesn't have a cartridge, doesn't have dust cover or hinges, and the veneer needs to be replaced. Evidently, it is mechanically sound tho. I know I should probably run, but I've been itching for a project. I currently have a fluance rt-81 that works fine, but I've been dying to rehab one of these old pioneer decks. My first question is, do I need to replace the headshell with an exact original, or will other headsehells (pioneer or otherwise) suffice?

Also, if anyone has a line on where I can find any of the above donor parts I need, leads would be greatly appreciated! The dust cover hinges are especially tough to find. Thanks in advance!

Aaron
 
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There is no problem using almost any other headshell designed for the SME style tonearm collet. Myriads of brands and price range will fit.

Organ Donor Parts is a good source for many items. I would check with them.
 
Montycat said:
There is no problem using almost any other headshell designed for the SME style tonearm collet. Myriads of brands and price range will fit.

Organ Donor Parts is a good source for many items. I would check with them.
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Got it. Thanks for the reply. Is the tonearm collet the sleeve that attaches the tonearm to the headshell? Sorry for the newbie question!
 
Yes, a collet is a locking collar or clamp. Like the chuck that holds the bit on a Dremel. Same same but different.
 
You see old Pioneer headshells quite often on eBay, but people usually charge a lot for them.

As Montycat says, any SME-type headshell will work. There are a number of aftermarket headshells around, but many are based on this Technics model:

https://www.green-vinyl.com/en/technics-headshell-nos.html

The aftermarket versions don't have the logo or have someone else's logo. In my experience, a common problem with cheap headshells is that they often have an azimuth error - that is, they are slightly tilted to one side when installed on the arm.

I don't have experience of the PL115D or PL112D (manual version) but I do have the PL12D. One problem with using the ubiquitous Technics-type headshells on the PL12D is that the mounting slots are too far forward for the turntable's geometry - the cartridge usually needs to be right back in the slots for the correct cartridge alignment. It may be the same for the PL115D, I don't know. The Ortofon SH-4 headshell has slots that extend further back and is better in this respect.

For a cartridge, a good starter cartridge for this project would be the AT95E or AT-VM95E. If you really want to cut costs, the AT3600L would serve you well.
 
I just pulled the same turntable of storage and have been working on it. I posted in another thread last night about a rubbing problem but was able to sort that out by repacking the suspension springs with foam.

The belt has pretty good tension still and hooked it up and it sounds good. I tried an app on my phone that measures RPM and I am getting slightly under 33 - but I'm sort of worried weight of phone is affecting it. (I did remove rubber mat though) . I am going to try lubricating it but all I have is wd40.. should I get something else?
Edit
Sorry that was stupid question I won't use wd40 but would like to get this going today.. would a few drops of car full synthetic motor oil work? Or wondering if home Depot has something I don't think they have sewing machine oil.
 
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The motor oil should be ok. 3 in 1 in the blue bottle might be better. HD should have that.
 
Montycat said:
The motor oil should be ok. 3 in 1 in the blue bottle might be better. HD should have that.
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Thanks.. turns out there is a sewing machine place in town so I got some Singer lubricant. Not really what I expected I thought it would be clear and thin but it's white and sort of thick. I just applied a little to the belt shaft, letting it run to see if it penetrates a little.
 
I use synthetic motor oil (5-20) and it works just fine on my Pioneer PL 112D. I did have a hard time finding the proper belt for it ( I tried a couple from ebay and they either made the table run too fast or too slow) I finally found the right belt from Thakker in Germany. A little more expensive but the table is spot on at 33.3 rpm.
 
Q
ejman said:
I use synthetic motor oil (5-20) and it works just fine on my Pioneer PL 112D. I did have a hard time finding the proper belt for it ( I tried a couple from ebay and they either made the table run too fast or too slow) I finally found the right belt from Thakker in Germany. A little more expensive but the table is spot on at 33.3 rpm.
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Interesting it's still a little slow but the motor sound has gotten quieter since I put the lube on it. The belt is not loose but it's not really tight either.. I can pull it out to install on the shaft pretty easily.

On another note I think the cartridge is a audio Technica at95e . It's green audio Technica anyway I can't make out any numbera. I wonder if anyone can tell from a picture if it looks okay? I'm getting a lot of that vinyl static noise but it's not scratching the records or anything. I set the counter weight to around 2 .

**Edit oof under the flash that record looks pretty dirty that's probably why the static..
 

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