technics sl-1700 MKII - Counter Weight Issue

[Lyon79]

Hello all,

I have an old Technics SL-1700 MKII and wondering if anyone with the same model has the counter weight almost all the way to the front of the tone arm? My cartridge is set to about 1.8 grams.

Thank you,

Lyon

 

[wualta]

I have the same 'table and yes, there are certain combinations of cartridge mass and/or headshell mass that requires the counterweight (assuming you have the original ~100-gram one) to be pushed unusually far forward to hit 1.8g VTF. When using my non-DJ Ortofon Concorde, for example, I have to use a 30 grams lighter counterweight.

 

[Lyon79]

Thank you. I am using two different cartridges; Yamaha MC-1S and the Signet 5Ea. When I interchange them both seem to be almost all the way forward.

 

[wualta]

Are you using the standard Technics headshell?
Regardless, as long as you can hit your target VTF, there's no problem. At least, there shouldn't be!

 

[Nashou66]

Are you first balancing the arm to "float" , then set the dial to "0" while not turning the actual weight . Then turn the weight which will now also turn the dial and then set it to 1.8 gr?

nashou

 

[Lyon79]

@wualta - I am on the Yamaha and it seems like the most I can get is about 1.4 - .5 grams. I have the original counter weight as well.

@Nashou66 - Yes, balancing it first, making sure that is floats as evenly horizontally as possible; then setting the counter weight to "0" without moving the weight. Then, the most i can get before hitting the end is about 1.48 grams.

 

[wualta]

Then something is definitely not where it's supposed to be or working as it's supposed to work. Time for photos.
[my prime suspect is the arm-raising bar]

 

[Lyon79]

Got it. I will take some photos and post them. Thanks.

 

[Lyon79]

Sorry for the late upload as work has been really busy. Anyway, not sure what angle to take etc. Let me know if you see anything obvious. Thanks.

 

[LP-THORN]

I see that you have a sub weight at the back of the stub. Remove that, and balance the cartridge again.

 

[Lyon79]

Thanks LP-THORN!

I removed the extra weight and was able to set the counter weight and anti-skate. I got the turn table from my father so I will call him to see if he remembers why he added the extra weight. I am assuming now that he had more than the two cartridges that he gave me.

Thank you as well Waulta and Nashou66.

 

[LP-THORN]

Maybe your father had a heavier cartridge/headshell that needed the sub-weight to balance.