Any hifi nuts out there?

[swee'pea99]

Can I put pretty much any counterweight on a tonearm (that's lost one) or does it have to be 'the right one' for that tonearm?

Thanks if you can help.

 

[derrick]

It has to be the right weight for the stylus i think.

 

[slowmotion]

I don't think it's just a matter of applying a given load on the back end of the arm at a certain distance from the pivot. The shape of the load might matter because the inertia for different vertical and lateral movements will vary depending on its shape.

This could be absolute plop, of course.

 

[raleighnut]

As long as it fits the end stub you can easily, there are a lot of companies make alternative weights for my tonearm (Rega RB250)

One of these is essential though.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...-Gauge&usg=AFQjCNEvRxrzPUU2NQ6944SJKTlwImqqCw

Or something similar as you need to get the weight on the stylus right (I linked to that one cos it's the one I've had since 1985, came free with a VMS 30E)

 

[tobykenobi]

As long as it fits and can be adjusted back and forth you should be fine. There are lots of 3rd party counterweights. You will need to balance it to make sure it is applying the right force for your stylus. I have one of these and have followed various YouTube guides on how to use it, for example this. You may also need to set the ant-skate depending on the tonearm. The rule of thumb is to set it to the same value as the stylus force but you can also use a spare CD to check it. Google for examples.

It all sounds like a faff, but since I did this my turntable never skips a beat when playing vinyl.

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks everyone. It's the 'so long as it fits' bit I was really asking about. I don't know whether the arm they have to fit on is a standard size, like a handlebar tube, or can be any number of different sizes, like a seat tube. Or somewhere in between - ie, there are three basic variants. Anyone?

 

[tobykenobi]

I suspect they are not a standard size (although certain manufacturers may have a specific size/weight). Do you know the make and model of the tonearm? If you post a photo someone might be able to identify it. If not, there are knowledgeable people at https://www.vinylengine.com

 

[raleighnut]

I suspect they are not a standard size (although certain manufacturers may have a specific size/weight). Do you know the make and model of the tonearm? If you post a photo someone might be able to identify it. If not, there are knowledgeable people at https://www.vinylengine.com

You may even find that the correct counterweight is available as a 'spare part' as some manufacturers make a couple of different weights to suit either unusually heavy or light cartridges.

 

[swee'pea99]

I don't know what it is (and neither does the current owner) but it looks like this:

 

[raleighnut]

I don't know what it is (and neither does the current owner) but it looks like this:

View attachment 368530

View attachment 368531

That's a Rega arm (looks like the RB250) , loads of standard and 'uprated' counterweights available for them.

 

[raleighnut]

I've got the Thorens badged version on my TD 166,

 

[raleighnut]

They are also sold badged as a 'Moth' tonearm,



They're a very good bit of kit, I'd be tempted to check the Cartridge position on that one you have though, it looks very far forward to me but it could be correct, loads of set-up guides on Youtube though

 

[cisamcgu]

Something along these lines perhaps ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-Coun...251-Tonearm-Weight-Genuine-DECO-/322505856124

Assuming that it is an RB250...

 

[raleighnut]

Something along these lines perhaps ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rega-Coun...251-Tonearm-Weight-Genuine-DECO-/322505856124

Assuming that it is an RB250...

It's certainly one of the ones that are listed for that counterweight (Rega arm with plastic stub)

 

[swee'pea99]

Brilliant! CC comes up trumps yet again! You guys...