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Shure M44-7 at 4 grams (instead of 1,5-3) on Garrard 4HF

jd-audio

jd-audio

Well-Known Member
I use a M44-7 (NOS cartridge/stylus) in a Garrard 4HF turntable.
The M44-7 tracks at 1,5-3 grams (according to Shure), the Garrard 4HF likes 3-5 grams tracking force as I understand.

I am using this TT/combo for years now and normally track at 3 grams, this works fine with most lp's. But some lp's do not track so well and skip. I now have increased tracking force to 4 grams, this seems to help a little on the problematic lp's, but is 1 gram heavier than listed for this cartridge.

My question: Can I safely "overtrack" the M44-7 at 4 grams (instead of 3) or do I risk damaging my lp's and/or the cartridge/stylus?

-John-
 
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Probably fine tracking at 4g, but as pointed out, you really shouldn't need to. You might want to look at something like the Shure M7D. Bodies can be had easily, and replacement styli that track 3-6g cheap. Great cartridge, period correct for your table, and will probably perform better on your arm. And you certainly won't hurt any records playing at 4g+ with it, but the 44-7 might be mistracking and that will damage records.
 
jd-audio said:
I use a M44-7 (NOS cartridge/stylus) in a Garrard 4HF turntable.
The M44-7 tracks at 1,5-3 grams (according to Shure), the Garrard 4HF likes 3-5 grams tracking force as I understand.

I am using this TT/combo for years now and normally track at 3 grams, this works fine with most lp's. But some lp's do not track so well and skip. I now have increased tracking force to 4 grams, this seems to help a little on the problematic lp's, but is 1 gram heavier than listed for this cartridge.

My question: Can I safely "overtrack" the M44-7 at 4 grams (instead of 3) or do I risk damaging my lp's and/or the cartridge/stylus?

-John-
Click to expand...

Does it skip toward the end of the side of a record?

Does that table use "velocity trip" to sense when the stylus hits the lead out groove? If so, auto / changers of the late 50s and early 60s often required somewhat heavier tracking forces so the arm could push a trip link which later makes contact with a trip dog friction lever pawl on the cam wheel to activate the velocity trip mechanism to enter a change cycle or pick up the tonearm and return it to the arm rest when a side concludes..

If tracking force is too light on those types of changers and semi-auto tables, it will lead to mistracking as there is not enough force from the arm's natural momentum to overcome the resistance of the trip link and trip dog friction lever without bouncing around in the groove.

That results in skipping and mistracking (typically towards the end of the record). If you buy a used LP, play it on a transcription table (i.e. not a changer), and it has mistracking damage towards the end, it may have been caused by a prior owner who played the LP on an improperly setup changer back in the day.

I would research what tracking force Garrard recommended for that tonearm/changer and stick with it. If you need something in the 4-5 gram range to avoid the skipping, get an SC35C or M3D. I would avoid using a cart that is recommended to track at 1.5-3 grams (such as the M447) on a 1950s changer that requires 5+ grams. That is a mass / compliance mismatch and can lead to record damage.
 
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Also - if it does use velocity trip, I would suggest inspecting the trip link arm and the two trip pawls on the cam wheel to ensure the lubrication hasn't gummed up. If so, take photos of the dried lube, clean off any gummy lube with isopropyl alcohol and use a similar type of lube and apply them in the same places that Garrard originally did (using your photos as a reference). Gummy lube in the velocity trip mechanism can cause skipping and mistracking.

In addition, sometimes a tonearm wire (after it exits the tonearm rear) can bind on something and cause skipping. Make sure the tonearm moves freely with no resistance.
 
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Looking at the manual for the 4HF, it's not a changer, but it does use a velocity trip mechanism to auto stop.

The manual notes the table gives the user the ability to disengage the auto stop.

I would therefore suggest disengaging the auto stop (press the "Non Auto" button), and see if you are still getting skipping and mistracking when velocity trip is deactivated. If so, I would move to a cartridge that is designed for a higher tracking force about about 4-6 grams.

garrard.png
 
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If you REALLY need to go to 4g, there are other stylus options for your M44 cartridge. The N44-C is a 0.7 mil conical with a recommended VTF of 3 - 5g. There are several listed on eBay, one with a very attractive Buy it Now price (be quick, if you want it - NOS Shure styli at attractive prices don't last long).
 
MCM_Fan said:
If you REALLY need to go to 4g, there are other stylus options for your M44 cartridge. The N44-C is a 0.7 mil conical with a recommended VTF of 3 - 5g. There are several listed on eBay, one with a very attractive Buy it Now price (be quick, if you want it - NOS Shure styli at attractive prices don't last long).
Click to expand...
You beat me to it!
 
Thank you all for your input!

I found out the following:
1. The auto stop "trip" mechanisme works perfectly on my 4HF (also with 3 gram tracking force), and the arm moves freely.
2. The skipping only takes place on specific lp's (most of the lp's I use track perfectly well).
3. These specific lp's often have visible damage on the spot where the skipping takes place.
4. Increasing the tracking force to 4 grams does not solve the skipping on most of these specific problematic lp's.
5. I am perfectly satisfied with the M44-7 soundwise.

Therefore I think the skipping problem has more to do with the lp's then with the TT combo.
So now I have adjusted the tracking force back to 3 grams and simply don't use lp's with questionable condition again.
I had the idea that all lp's that I would never try on my "hifi" system (due to questionable lp condition) , would work on this "heavy duty" Garrard 4HF without problems. I seems that I was wrong to think so.

Have fun
-John-
 
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jd-audio said:
Thank you all for your input!

I found out the following:
1. The auto stop "trip" mechanisme works perfectly on my 4HF (also with 3 gram tracking force), and the arm moves freely.
2. The skipping only takes place on specific lp's (most of the lp's I use track perfectly well).
3. These specific lp's often have visible damage on the spot where the skipping takes place.
4. Increasing the tracking force to 4 grams does not solve the skipping on most of these specific problematic lp's.
5. I am perfectly satisfied with the M44-7 soundwise.

Therefore I think the skipping problem has more to do with the lp's then with the TT combo.
So now I have adjusted the tracking force back to 3 grams and simply don't use lp's with questionable condition again.
I had the idea that all lp's that I would never try on my "hifi" system (due to questionable lp condition) , would work on this "heavy duty" Garrard 4HF without problems. I seems that I was wrong to think so.

Have fun
-John-
Click to expand...
More to do with the cart then table.
 
Change the stylus to a N44-C. Which is appropriate for your application. Common jukebox stylus (many good aftermarket ones available). He wants to track heavier due to the limitations of his vintage Garrard tonearm. When this model was new, the Shure M3D would have been likely used if Stereo records were played on it. The N44-C tracks at forces the 4HF works well with.
 
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