Custom Arm Tubes for the 1200

[WOStantonCS100]

FF has already done this. However, I was wondering if there would be a market for aftermarket replacement arm tubes for the stock techie arm. Don't get me wrong, I'm not volunteering to make them. However, considering the already bountiful sea of upgrades for the Techy, I'm kind of wondering why this one hasn't shown up yet. Seems simple enough and would be a cool thing to do especially if one is already planning on rewiring the arm. Retain all the little lovelies about the stock arm (VTA on the fly, pretty nice bearings, etc.); but, with an arm tube that addresses naysayers concerns. :scratch:

[Markiii]

what concerns would it address?

[sq225917]

paranoia.

[WOStantonCS100]

paranoia.

:lol: Good answer, Simon. Nevertheless, Technics themselves already previously used different material for their other arms (think EPA series).

[synsei]

Then there is the Funk Firm modded arm which to all intents and purposes is the mutts nuts from what I hear... :cool:

[Johnnie7]

foam fill the arm tube and have the arm rewired and bearings adjusted
and it should be fine

[Markiii]

as in builders expanding foam?

[WOStantonCS100]

foam fill the arm tube and have the arm rewired and bearings adjusted
and it should be fine

Sure it should... but, the spirit of this post is more geared to those who want more than "fine". You know, the nuts, like me, who love to take things just that much further. :)

Here is a pic of the boron:

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1311967956.jpg

Titanium nitride was another Techy factory favorite.

http://www.fonolab.com/data/1292586901_104Technics_EPA-100-103.JPG

They stuck just such an arm tube on the SL-M3. (I know because I have one.)

Considering Mike New makes quite an excellent bespoke bearing, it seems to me that someone taking up the challenge of a bespoke "swap in" arm tube, would be even easier (certainly possible) and perhaps just as rewarding tonally.

[zenmaster]

Wow! I'm jealous. Those arms are sweet as Ron Burgandy's guns.

What does it take to replace an armtube?

[WOStantonCS100]

Wow! I'm jealous. Those arms are sweet as Ron Burgandy's guns.

What does it take to replace an armtube?

Hey Bernard,

Honestly, I don't know... ...yet... ;)

Funk Firm does it (with an arm tube of their own design); so, it is possible. However, I'm a "cart-swapper" so ditching the s-shape & SME coupling doesn't quite appeal to me. :(