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Pioneer PL-530 Additional Counterweight DYI options?

redondo2018

redondo2018

Active Member
Cartridge I have on my PL-530 (AT OC9/ii) is a bit heavy and I have to put the main counterweight pretty much all the way back - which I think is causing issues with the tonearm start position being all over the place (never had this issue with other lighter carts and turning the positioning screw doesn't help as sometimes it lands too much towards the inside of the record and sometimes too far out).

So... I'd like to buy the additional "subweight" that originally came with it, but there aren't any for sale anywhere that I can see online currently. I could weight (sic) for one to come on sale, but not sure if that will ever happen. I'm also assuming that the PL-550 and PL-570 additional weights are the same, but would like confirmation on that if anyone knows (also not for sale right now). So if I can't buy it, was wondering if anyone has ever tried to DIY it? I mean I could maybe just try a bolt or something right? Or should I just try to add weight another way?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions (and if you know of one for sale, please link!)
 
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redondo2018 said:
Cartridge I have on my PL-530 (AT OC9/ii) is a bit heavy and I have to put the main counterweight pretty much all the way back - which I think is causing issues with the tonearm start position being all over the place (never had this issue with other lighter carts and turning the positioning screw doesn't help as sometimes it lands too much towards the inside of the record and sometimes too far out).

So... I'd like to buy the additional "subweight" that originally came with it, but there aren't any for sale anywhere that I can see online currently. I could weight (sic) for one to come on sale, but not sure if that will ever happen. I'm also assuming that the PL-550 and PL-570 additional weights are the same, but would like confirmation on that if anyone knows (also not for sale right now). So if I can't buy it, was wondering if anyone has ever tried to DIY it? I mean I could maybe just try a bolt or something right? Or should I just try to add weight another way?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions (and if you know of one for sale, please link!)
Click to expand...

Higher mass headshell, 10-11 grams instead. Should balance fine then.
 
The stock headshell is already very light on the PL-530. Aux counterweight is a rare item to find on a PL-530. And recommended to do if you can, or find one to have someone make you some.
 
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do you know the size / specs of one? I have a counterbalance and subweights that might have Pioneer lineage, not sure20200502_213924.jpg
 
Here is an original PLA-564 sub-weight from a PL-530.

PLA-564 Sub-weight.jpg

The thread pitch appears to be 0.9mm and the diameter is 7.85mm. Weight is 17.84g.
 
Thanks everyone! Yeah, originals seem pretty rare - you'd think there would be an aftermarket for this, lots of turntables out there missing their auxiliary weights... Also, to confirm, I am using the original Pioneer headshell. I'll check around the garage for those diameter bolts.
 
How's it working out? Seems you have the counterweight moved in a bit.

Bolt should be tight to avoid vibration. Should bottom out in the tonearm.

Now that you know what you need, you can get different bolts for different added weight and maybe one that can be rubber insulated with o-rings
 
Blue Shadow said:
How's it working out? Seems you have the counterweight moved in a bit.

Bolt should be tight to avoid vibration. Should bottom out in the tonearm.

Now that you know what you need, you can get different bolts for different added weight and maybe one that can be rubber insulated with o-rings
Click to expand...

Seems to be ok - 10g bolt is a good fit and goes in decently far. Yeah, with VTF set the main counterweight is about where it usually is with other carts. I think the cart is (not too surprisingly) sounding better as well. I'll need to play a few more records before I can give a final verdict on the landing issue, but having the main counterweight in the right spot alone was worth the effort IMO.
 
good morning gentlemen of the forum, I have the opportunity to buy a PL 530, at a good price.

unfortunately the weight is missing, and the small weight behind the large weight, as well as anti skating

I have seen that they sell them on Ebay, but I can provide for this lack later!

reading the 3head, unfortunately I did not understand if ... it is possible to create them, or create them manually with a lathe, or with DYI!

Question how exactly do they weigh, and what is the correct size, also the pitch in mm?

Thank you

translate italian
buongiorno signori del forum , ho la possibilità di acquistare un PL 530 ,ad un buon prezzo .
purtroppo manca il Peso , e il peso piccolo dietro al peso grande ., oltre all' anti skating
Ho visto che li vendono su Ebay , ma a questa mancanza posso provvedere più avanti !
leggendo il 3head , purtroppo non ho compreso se... è possibile crearli , o crearli manualmente con un tornio , opppure con DYI !
Domanda quanto pesano esattamente , e quale è la misura giusta , anche il passo in mm ?
Grazie
 
@blues 66 you could have made your very own thread on this issue but

You have three weights on the tonearm
1) the main counterweight, used to balance tonearm and set tracking force.
2) auxiliary weight as mentioned in this thread, threads into back end of tonearm for using heavy cartridges
3) lateral balance weight, hangs off the rod on the inside of the tonearm.

The Main Counterweight is something that getting a replacement is best. Easier to use, contains the scale for adding tracking force and the proper set up to thread onto the tonearm correctly while changing the tracking force in relation to the scale

The Auxiliary weight can be substituted with a bolt as discussed above

The Lateral Weight can be fabricated. It is not a critical mass and simply helps balance the tonearm because the headshell is not centered on the arm. Any weight approximately the same that can be put on the lateral arm and fixed in position should work fine.
 
Hello @Blue Shadow
ok forgive if I have requested in a 3D already open, but since we talk about the same problem ... I thought it was fine!
if there are problems, tell me that I will open another one::beerchug:
anyway, thank you for the technical explanations, but translating the 3D :idea: I did not understand as written above the weight of the counterweight
and which pitch in mm is the bolt. + the weight of the main counterweight!
Forgive me, but being a mechanic, I can turn a piece of aluminum and create one, then I could do without the graduated scale, since later I can use a scale to be more precise;)
thank you;)


translate italian
@Blue Shadow ,ciao
ok perdona se ho richesto in un 3D già aperto , ma visto che si parla dello stesso problema ...pensavo andasse bene !
se ci sono problemi , dimmelo che ne aprirò un 'altro
comunque , ti ringrazio per le delucidazioni tecniche , ma traducendo il 3D * non ho compreso come scritto sopra il peso deol contrappeso
e quale passo in mm è il bullone . + il peso del contrappeso principale !
Perdonami , ma essendo un meccanico , posso tornire un pezzo di alluminio e crearne uno , poi della scala graduata potrei farne a meno , poichè dopo posso utilizzare una bilancina per esser più preciso
grazie
 
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