I just picked up an SL-B2 and I can't get it play a record unless I put a weight on top of the head shell. Without the weight, it just skips across the record. I tried moving the counter balance weight all the way forward and setting the tracking all the way up but it just skips right across the disc. Any ideas?
Technics SL-B2 Tracking Issue
- Thread starter leemelone
- Start date
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I think I set the tracking force properly. I set the weight to zero and moved the weight forward until it floated. Initially I turned the weight to 2 grams and adjusted the anti skate to 2. When that didn't work, I tried adjust the weight heavier and heavier adjusting the anti skate to the same. Nothing worked until I put the plastic 45 adapter on top of the head shell. The cartridge is a Pickering V15 AT2.
I was thinking it might be the needle but I've never had a tone arm just completely skate across a record before. It's an older model and I don't want to waste money on a new stylus if there's something mechanically wrong with it.
Or broken off. Does it sound ok with that weight on top? If it is muffled or distorted it could be a non existent needle. Or the cantilever could be bent or the suspension bagged out and the cartridge itself is riding on the record. Get down low and look at the cartridge on the record.
When you balanced the arm (floating level) the counterweight was not all the way forward already? You could actually turn the weight so that arm does lower to the record?
eratosthenes
Active Member
Check the cueing action, make sure it isn't partially engaged.
Right. I was going to mention that. If the arm is just barely touching the cue platform it could act like this. There's a little screw behind the platform that can be turned clockwise to lower the bar
The needle barely sticks out past the bottom of the cartridge so I'm assuming it's the source of the problem. It's been a long time since I've had a turntable but it just doesn't look right to me. As far as the counter weight balance, it actually does lower on to the record and it's not hitting the cue lever mechanism. .
hi*ball
Records & Coffee
Sounds like you just need to find a replacement stylus.
Check this out: http://www.turntableneedles.com/search.asp?keyword=v-15/at2&search=GO
Check this out: http://www.turntableneedles.com/search.asp?keyword=v-15/at2&search=GO
I looked at a pic of a replacement stylus there and it looks like the needle barely sticks out below the plastic on that one also. I think I'm going to just replace the whole cartridge out.
That's not a bad idea on any unknown turntable acquisition. However do you know what's on it now? Pictures? Replacing the stylus still might be viable.
Here's an example of a cartridge that does look low but is still tracking properly.
Stanton after playing by Buhduh, on Flickr
Here's an example of a cartridge that does look low but is still tracking properly.
Stanton after playing by Buhduh, on Flickr
hi*ball
Records & Coffee
Probably the best bang for buck cartridges here:
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M35X-Re...TF8&qid=1461276321&sr=8-1&keywords=shure+m35x (don't let the "DJ" description put you off)
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...?ie=UTF8&qid=1461276361&sr=8-1&keywords=at95e
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-M35X-Re...TF8&qid=1461276321&sr=8-1&keywords=shure+m35x (don't let the "DJ" description put you off)
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...?ie=UTF8&qid=1461276361&sr=8-1&keywords=at95e
I think I'm going to go with this. I don't want to spend much on one until I'm sure what's going on. I can always upgrade it later.
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technic...461006990&sr=1-2&keywords=turntable+cartridge