All the gear - no idea?

[Zinzuma]

Hi all

I picked up this Hadcock tonearm with a Michell Focus One that I bought recently. Both items need attention - I'm starting with the tonearm and would appreciate some advice.

I believe the Hadcock is a 242 although I haven't been able to find an image online that looks exactly like this example (see picture) all black.
I planned to re-wire the 'arm' of the tonearm with new Cardas wire (from eBay) but cannot get the original wire to budge. So Plan B is to extend the wire to enable it to reach the headset - you can see in the pic that 2 of the 4 wires are short.

The items shown in the pic are:
- Hadcock tonearm
- new bias weight
- original Ortofon F15E cartridge
- second hand Ortofon headset
- extreme right, non related tonearm end and wiring.

1951119512

My question:
1. Does anybody know why the existing wire will not budge from the tonearm (bottom of pic)?
2. Can I take the wire from the (non related tonearm section) and extend the existing wiring, then cover this in heat shrink and use the existing terminals?

All the best

Matt

[nthall]

That cartridge sled looks like one off a Dual with leads soldered to it.

I would shine a light down the tonearm and make sure nobody has crammed something inside of it to keep the wires in place.

You can probably extend them, but check the continuity first.

[nthall]

You probably don't need the cartridge sled at all unless you are planning on using it like a shim.

[Stewie Griffin]

There is a grub screw on the back of the Chrome Collar. Slide it off.

[Zinzuma]

Thanks for the replies.

Stewie, does the collar grub screw hold the wire some how?

[Stewie Griffin]

Hi Matt
Im just trying to remember, I think it might be trapping it in place.

[Zinzuma]

Ok, I will give it a try tomorrow. I've got all the bits in a drawer at work.
If I can get the original wire to move I will replace it and solder into the red block.

Does it look like a 242 to you? No mention of a manufacturer just a patent no.

[DiveDeepDog]

The bolts are imperial, be careful as metric ones fit, but are easy to make round.

The cables on mine do feel quite tight, being intact I'm not going to pull too hard.

It's defiantly a Hadcock, fairly new with the red connector. The tube on the 242 is approx 205mm, 228 obviously a little shorter.


Pivot to spindle is around Linn geometry for the 228 (212mm), The 242 will fit a Rega hole (226mm)

[Stewie Griffin]

I was just going to say The Pivot To Stylus is just over 242mm hence the 'GH-242'

[nthall]

I thought the wires in those ones were free, and the set screw in the headshell was to move it forward or backwards to adjust the tracking angle. I remember being able to just pull it from the back from the arm to take out the slack. I can't ever recall seeing an all black one. It may be a different model. It has been a while since I've seen one at all.

I wonder if one of them is pinched in between the headshell and arm.

[Zinzuma]

Thank you all for your suggestions.
I'm going to strip it tomorrow and I will post the result.
Looks like I could have picked an easier first tonearm!

[Zinzuma]

Silicon or some other substance holding the wire in place.