Pioneer PL 516 - Upgrades and restoring

[SFP]

Looks like I'll be picking up a Pioneer PL 516 to add to the collection (and the 70's Pioneer stack - SA-8100 amp, RT-1020L R2R with Celestion D-332 speakers).

It's a silver edition that after having read a number of other user threads, I am seriously considering stripping the silver off and going to a wood veneer. It appears to have an original cartridge (possibly stylus as well) on it. Will order a new belt ASAP (recommendations, and anyone in Canada I can use, or should I just order from the USA?).

Cart wise... I'm thinking an AT-VM95EN. The two of them I have heard I liked and the price point is good ($192.xx CDN). But, am always open to learning/listening to the voice of experience.

This will be my first Pioneer TT. That being said, I do have experience with other vintage brands (Akai, Sony, Realistic, Dual, JVC).

The price seems fair and the selling will be demoing it for me. Any gotchas or such I should be looking for prior to purchase?

Photos from the FB ad

 

[krautmaster]

I believe the plinth is made of MDF wrapped with vinyl, but it would look excellent with a nice wood veneer, just don't limit yourseld to plain old walnut- try something exotic, it doesn't cost much more. My Marantz 6200 has African Bubinga wood veneer:

 

[SFP]

I love my walnut, won't deny that...

But was thinking Canadian Maple or Canadian Cedar or Douglas fir (Vancouver Island eh).

 

[krautmaster]

I love my walnut, won't deny that...

But was thinking Canadian Maple or Canadian Cedar or Douglas fir (Vancouver Island eh).

Flame maple would be awesome (like a les Paul guitar body) or a maple burl... the Douglas Fir would be too soft (used for making 2x4's)... there are unlimited possibilities ! I had a Marantz 2275 with a custom made African Padauk case that looked great:

 

[SFP]

Well got it home…

Yeah the silver vinyl is pretty much toast, so my first wood veneer project is in my hands.

Feet are not great but also not totally blown. Anyone have recommendations for an upgrade replacement of feet?

Came with an aftermarket headshell stylus on it (white stylus pictured below). Zero idea as there are no markings on it anywhere but it does play nicely.

Seller also had the original headshell that has a Grado GF 3 cartridge on it but a broken stylus (boy is the cart dirty when I pop the broken stylus out of the cart) - not the original cart I assume.

May order a new stylus for the Grado but will be also getting the AT-VM95EN (or something better) for it sooner or later.

The dust cover is not the original but seller did have the original hinges so I suppose time to buy a proper dustcover for it.

Once I opened it, I was very happy with what I saw. Everything looked great.

Cleaned and lubed the spindle as well as the motor (drops on spindle as it is a sealed motor).

Pitch control works great. Cue feels great and nice and slow to drop. Auto return works great.

The belt is in not bad shape, but am going to order a new one later today. Believe it is a 23.6 but feel free to correct me if that is incorrect.

Am looking forward to hooking it up to my SA-8100 and running it through the Celestion Ditton-332s

And of course iPhone pics of it.