Nottingham Analogue arms: old vs new?

[fiddlemaker]

Hi
Apropos of my "tonearm for a Decca" thread, I've been looking around for a good used Notts tonearm.
There seem to be a few old model Space and Mentor arms around. Does anyone have any opinions as to how these older models compare to the current Ace Space arm (in terms of overall sonics and Decca suitability)?
Cheers
John

[Haselsh1]

Can't help too much I'm afraid but back in 1997 I used to own a Spacedeck with old style, all ally tonearm and I was truly impressed by the engineering and manufacture of it. Every part of it was solid and firm and well constructed. Sound quality was equally as good as I recall.

[fiddlemaker]

thanks, Shaun, thats useful to know. I have to say I do prefer the look of the old uns.

[hifi_dave]

The older, gas pipe Notts arms were very good and worked well with Decca cartridges but they are rougher, grainier sounding and lack the refinement of the newer arms. The carbon fibre tubed models must have been introduced 12 or more years ago.

[DSJR]

I had a good looking 'gas pipe' Mentor arm and it was fine with the Microscanner. Sonically, whatever colouration it may have had (mine was filled internally I believe), it NEVER got in the way. Tom did offer to re-wire it internally with silver wire, but money ran out and I all but gave the deck away before I could do any upgrading - the Decca had gone faulty too and it wasn't until 2007 that I had it sorted out..

Good luck, and I hope the current people can look after it still.

[fiddlemaker]

Thank you Daves. Could you tell me what was the difference between the old alloy Mentor and Space arms?

[hifi_dave]

Sketchy on this but the Mentor arm was 'beefier' and had a slightly different bearing arrangement.

[CornishPasty]

I still have my gloss black Point One arm and a later satin black Mentor with hanging counterweight which is doing a great job on my Empire 598. The Mentor must be getting on a bit now but I've never felt like I needed to change it. I silver wired it a few years ago and I'll probably keep it forever. God only knows how old the Point One is.